Wherever you are on your life's path, I encourage you to pursue education.
 
By doing so, the world will open up to you. Higher education will have a profoundly positive impact on your life.
 
Going to college and earning a degree can be such a life changing experience. You may be asking yourself how this could be and what difference does it make if you have a college degree or not. Having a college degree has become very important in the job market today, and can actually open many doors that would not otherwise be open to you. A person that holds a college degree is typically more marketable to employers and companies. Additionally, a college graduate tends to make more money, has access to more job openings and more chances for promotions within a company than someone who doesn’t.
 
Going to college and earning a degree can be such a life changing experience. You may be asking yourself how this could be and what difference does it make if you have a college degree or not. Having a college degree has become very important in the job market today, and can actually open many doors that would not otherwise be open to you. A person that holds a college degree is typically more marketable to employers and companies. Additionally, a college graduate tends to make more money, has access to more job openings and more chances for promotions within a company than someone who doesn’t.
 
Getting a degree can do many great things for you personally as well. It can give you a great sense of accomplishment and pride, knowing that you have applied yourself, worked hard and succeeded at a worthwhile cause. As you go along the path of obtaining a college degree, you will be introduced to a variety of interesting subjects and ideas that you may not have ever encountered before, broadening your mind and thought process. Additionally, a degree can be a stepping stone later in obtaining even higher education for becoming a doctor, lawyer or educator. Having the undergraduate degree already done will put you on that path a lot sooner than if you didn’t have it.
 
We know that college gives individuals better job options. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks unemployment rates for people over the age of 25 by education.
The most recent data shows the unemployment rate is 10.7 percent for individuals with a high school degree but no college. With some college or an associate degree, the unemployment rate declines to 8.5 percent. With a bachelor's degree or more, it goes down even further, to 4.5 percent. That's a remarkable difference!
 
 
Higher education gives people the potential to earn more, too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also tracks the median weekly earnings for people over the age of 25 by education. The data shows that individuals with some college or an associate degree earn an average of $114 more per week than people who have no college education. With a bachelor's degree, the increase jumps to $400 more per week. That amounts to an average of nearly $20,000 per year in increased earnings.
 
In addition, higher education gives individuals the tools to be engaged citizens and happy human beings. With education, you receive more opportunities and more choices. Studies show that educated people often enjoy better health and lower divorce rates. They tend to report increased rates of happiness and satisfaction. These benefits can dramatically improve an individual's quality of life.