10 Benefits of a College Education

It’s a common fact that a college diploma gives you the knowledge and skills that are applicable in a job setting.  But let us look into more detail on other benefits of getting a college education. Without claiming to show a full list of advantages, here are ten:

1. The salary – On average, entry level jobs for employees with a college diploma pay up to 100% more than ones for high school graduates. It’s not uncommon for someone with a bachelor’s degree to land on a $4,000 per month salary, while a high school diploma can’t bring more than $2,500.  This salary is a great since most students rely on college scholarships and loans while in college.
2. Job availability – When holding a college diploma, the horizon broadens. Even with today’s gloomy job market, you are more likely to find a good position with a company than an high school graduate.
3. Less competition – Statistically, there are more high school graduates looking for a job than college diploma holders.
4. No more last-in-first-outs – Since there is a significantly high number of unskilled workers looking for a job, companies can afford to rotate employees until they find a set to match their demands. It is not uncommon for, let’s say, assembly line workers to lose their job within the first three months. Statistics have shown that college graduates are more likely to keep their job for at least one year than high school graduates.
5. Career evolution - A college degree gives you the support to aspire to top management positions with any company. Unskilled workers can only be in charge of a small team of equally unskilled peers.


photo: washington.edu

6. Become a specialist in your field - By improving yourself continuously, you can become an authority in your field. Next to job satisfaction, the better you get, the more job opportunities arise. High school graduates’ professional career is limited from this point of view.
7. Networking with professionals in your field – College puts you in touch with a broad range of professionals in your area you have a lot to learn from. Teachers who are paid to share their knowledge with you and fellow students sharing the same interests as you create an academic community that will at least build your mindset—high school graduates don’t have access to this tool.
8. Internships and career events -Career Days, Career Weeks and internships put you in touch with the real market and real companies from the early days of learning. You will become familiar with what the “real world” wants from you and build your career path accordingly.
9. Learn to stand on your own -No one asks you to study after each class and there is no one to make sure you get to each class on time. In fact, there is no one to even make you study throughout the semester. You only have to be prepared for the finals—it’s your call on whether you want to study only on the night before the exam or every day of the semester. You are free to build your own learning pattern.
10. The fun - Last, but not least, college can be fun. Pop media shows wild college parties, all-night drinking sprees and frat-house games. While most of that is media hype, part of it is true. Campus life is entertaining.

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Tags: advantages of college, Career Development, college education, college scholarships, job market, salary after graduation, salary college education, students salary

3 Responses to “10 Benefits of a College Education”

1. Christina Moore says:

   August 20, 2010 at 3:12 pm

   Getting a university degree has made a huge impact on my life and I know I would not have my job with out it. I have my university diploma on display in my office to remind me everyday! Make sure you take advantage of the job and internship fairs on campus – some really amazing opportunities may come your way!
2. Women and Education in Utah | College To Careers says:

   August 31, 2010 at 1:08 am

   [...] amount of 35 percent of women and 39 percent of men believe that the female gender should attain a bachelor’s degree in the state of [...]
3. Taking College Courses Can Help You With Your Career | College News, College Scholarships, and Grants - CollegeToCareers.com says:

   September 9, 2010 at 10:12 pm

   [...] more companies have unskilled worker vacancies. Even with today’s gloomy job market, holding a college degree gives you a better chance at getting a job than a high school graduate. The possibilities broaden [...]