For many people, discerning what their career path should be is difficult enough, let alone actually tackling the task of getting a degree with all of the financial and time obligations that come with it. If you’re wondering whether you should give time and energy to going to college or university, here are four benefits of doing so that are worth considering.
1. Challenge Yourself
First, pursuing higher education allows you to challenge yourself to work hard and show the commitment it takes to earn a degree. Most bachelor’s degrees take about four years to complete, and that’s not a short amount of time; it takes staying power and determination. And if you’re working or have a family at the same time, it takes even more effort. When you complete your degree, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you rose the occasion and have the diploma to prove it.
2. Get a Job Faster
Getting a degree increases your chances of finding employment. Studies have found that college graduates have more than 50% more employment opportunities than those without a degree, and the number of jobs that require a degree is continually increasing. Many undergraduate schools even put out information about what percentage of their graduates get jobs straight out of school, which can help give you a sense of what to expect if you attend there. Since higher education is typically tied to your career in general, it only makes sense to pursue it in order to set yourself up for success in the job market.
3. Make More Money
Pretty much across the board (except in unique circumstances), college graduates earn more money and have higher salaries than their non-graduate peers. This is another important reason to invest in your education. It can have a big impact on achieving financial success and the goals you have for your life as well as providing for your family. And you don’t have to stop at a bachelor’s degree; you can always go back to school later, too, to earn a master’s degree and increase your earning potential even more!
4. Grow as a Person
While it may seem like no one has time for enrichment, learning for the sake of bettering oneself is another great reason to pursue higher education. Education in a variety of areas (which is especially common in bachelor’s degree programs) can round out your knowledge, give you a better understanding of the world around you and even give you glimpses of what other career paths might be like that you haven’t yet considered. And even if you’re officially finished with school, you can always attend a college or university online as a way to continue as a life-long learner.
Pursuing education beyond secondary school is an important step toward setting yourself up for success and achieving the best possible career. And while they aren’t exhaustive, these four benefits of earning a college degree can help inspire you in the direction of taking the first steps toward doing so.
