What a College Degree Means to Me

Students who complete the required years of study at the college receive a college degree for their efforts. They often get a job in the relevant specialty or continue their studies at higher academic institutions. In any case, every person in modern times needs knowledge and a college degree to be more successful and competitive. For me, a college degree means higher earning potential, confidence in the chosen career, personal growth, and discovering previously unknown opportunities.

A college degree is a key to the American dream, where people get a college education, find a job with a higher wage, marry, and build a house. The predecessor of this story is a necessary prestigious college degree. There are rare exceptions who would refuse the high education of their own will because everyone admits that people with a college degree have more chances to be employed with stable and high wages. For example, college graduates have half more job opportunities than their non-graduate counterparts (Joubert, 2020). Two-thirds of all jobs require postsecondary education. Therefore, having a college degree provides me with more choices. Although I accept the importance of studies for a future career, people get other essential benefits from college study. To discover these benefits, students should shift the focus from their future success to the current environment.

Completing college studies is required for many students dreaming of a stable future. Nowadays, employers know consumer demand and the skills of potential employees necessary to satisfy this demand. They attract only specialized experts with a high education because employers believe that rigorous coursework and experiential learning generate the most competitive candidates. Moreover, high school graduates have three times more possibility of living in poverty. In contrast, “only six percent of bachelor’s degree holders live below the poverty line” (Joubert, 2020). It proves that earning a college degree guarantees graduates stability, safety, and security.

Job satisfaction and happiness are the most important benefits of a college education because college provides a chance for me to decide on the perfect occupation. During the first year of studies, a student already plunges into his future career, identifying all its drawbacks and advantages. If he decides that the chosen field does not suit him, he has the opportunity to drop out and never again associate his life with this work. In other cases, for students in doubt, college is an environment that will help make sure that this job is suitable for them. Upon graduation, they are satisfied with their majors and future specialization.

Every professional starts their career in college because it facilitates personal growth. College requires students to respond to challenges as it is usually the first step of an adult life full of responsibilities. Students are more likely to overcome obstacles that change their personalities. Thus, they learn to become more persevering and hard-working to earn a college degree. Moreover, students who succeed in their studies are usually self-disciplined. They know how to manage their studies without causing damage to their mental and physical health. A college degree teaches me how to successfully allocate time and personal resources to achieve academic and non-academic goals. Students have many deadlines, group work, and assignments that sometimes worsen their stress levels. They prioritize specific tasks and set long-term and short-term goals for excellent studies, demonstrating their discipline. Apart from that, some manage to combine their part-time jobs and studies. When students learn to tackle various problems at once, they become more self-confident (Joubert, 2020). As a result, the sense of achievement makes a person even more self-disciplined and organized, which benefits an employee in a career.

A college environment ensures high-quality education by enhancing students’ networking and socializing skills, which indicate personal growth. Most people surrounding them are students’ future colleagues or professionals in similar spheres. Furthermore, some of these people can help to build a successful future (Joubert, 2020). Even the professors and mentors support their students after graduation by giving them necessary advice, helping with their resumes, or applying for jobs. Joining some research groups or clubs focusing on personal interests increases the chances of meeting like-minded people. Such networking opportunities open up many resources to start a student’s career due to the experience of experts.

Apart from networking opportunities, a college degree provides essential skills for my future workplace. A college’s most fundamental feature is that it prepares students for the rapid changes in many fields, such as technology, education, and health (Joubert, 2020). Although not all degrees lead directly to a particular job, many are created to focus on the necessary skills for this sphere. For example, a teacher cannot succeed without well-developed communication skills and empathy, while a designer cannot succeed without creativity or information technology skills. Additionally, students improve in leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. By giving suitable assignments, conducting practices, and creating the perfect environment, getting a college degree helps one to learn specific skills to succeed in the chosen areas.

In the modern world, pursuing a college degree is a mandatory goal for everyone who dreams of a prosperous and financially stable life. Upon graduation, I establish tight bonds with future colleagues and professionals who facilitate his quick adaptation in the future. The years of study teach students to become more organized and self–dedicated, which helps them to become more self-resistant and flexible in jobs. Importantly, students with a college degree have a higher earning potential due to their increased competitiveness.

Reference

Joubert, S. (2020). 10 benefits of having a college degree. Northeastern University. Web.