By CLAUDIA VANESSA GARCIA
Contributing Writer
University receives much praise for the opportunities it provides. But there is still a handful of who students ponder whether or not to pursue college.
Millions of students attend school each day but many seem to become discouraged at the idea of continuing to college along the way. At some point during their college experience, some students who make it to college begin to question why they are even trying to get a college degree. But pursuing college does have many benefits.
Students should strive to go to school after high school to achieve some sort of degree to achieve security and comfort ability for their futures.
A degree gives the holder a lifetime of increased opportunities. One of the biggest advantages of pursuing college is being qualified for higher paying jobs in most fields.
College provides an ease of living and an ease of mind as well. Many Americans today struggle to find a job with the scarce employment but it’s even more difficult for those who never received a degree.
As a factory worker, my aunt always worries about whether or not she will be called in for work because she depends on that job for her family.
Though, even college degree holders sometimes become unemployed. With a college degree there are far more job openings, more chances at promotions and more flexibility with which jobs you take.
A college degree also makes you marketable which is great because having the peace of mind that you’ll always have opportunities, even during an economic downturn, really is worth it.
“Going to college has helped me not only financially but mentally as well which, a mind at peace really is worth everything,” said Rosemary Morales, who graduated from UC Santa Barbara with psychology as her major.
On average, college graduates have a higher salary than workers who just pursued a high school diploma. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the annual salary average differences between educational levels are amazing.
High school dropouts have the capability of reaching an annual salary of $18,734, High school graduates: $27,915, college graduates (with a bachelor’s degree): $51,206 and advanced degree holders receiving $74,602. With these statistics being from 2004, the gap between these educational levels just continues to increase each year.
A college degree has many benefits including the chance of making more money, always being marketable, being more empowered as an agent of your own life or others around you, being better with whether adversity or other unexpected curve balls come your way, and also gives a strong sense of pride and self.
All students should be on the pursuit of higher education and if things appear tough along the way, there should always be a constant reminder that it is all worth it in the long run.
