Introduction
Nowadays, many questions spark significant controversy, among them whether a college experience and a degree are necessary. While some believe it is a necessary component of every person’s life and offers many monetary benefits, others argue that, in modern times, experience and skills matter. Nevertheless, I believe that the benefits of a college degree, such as higher earnings potential, expanded career opportunities, and personal and professional development, outweigh the costs for me.
Higher Earning Potential
The first reason I think college is the best option is that a degree will provide me with a higher earning potential. In the employment market, college graduates often command a significant wage premium. A recent article by well-researched scholar Doug Webber stated that “the typical college graduate will earn roughly $900,000 more than the typical high school graduate over their working life” and that the monetary benefits of graduating from a four-year college outweigh the associated costs for the average student (Newton).
Moreover, over the past few years, an average employee with only a high school diploma earned $45,000, while the typical undergraduate with only a bachelor’s degree earned almost $78,000 (Abel and Deitz). In general, the college pay premium rose in the 1980s and 1990s, from less than $20,000 to around $30,000, and then after 2000 it settled within a very narrow range of $30,000 to $35,000 (Abel and Deitz). As a result, one can see that candidates with a degree will earn more for their qualifications.
From personal experience, I can argue that the statement about a degree’s potential to boost a person’s earnings is true, as evidenced by my parents’ example. My mother and father both have college degrees, and growing up, my siblings and I never struggled financially. Our parents provided us with a comfortable upbringing. Additionally, they gave us various opportunities to access quality education. Therefore, the cost of education for me is outweighed by the opportunities it offers.
Expanded Career Opportunities
Furthermore, I think that a college degree will expand my career opportunities. Some might believe there is still debate over whether college graduates are more employable. If they had not, one might anticipate that a sizable portion of recent college graduates would have been unemployed. However, as of November 2018, the unemployment rate for this demographic was a historically low 2.2% (Newton). It was also quite good—3.5%—for individuals without a college degree but only with a high school certificate (Newton).
Without a doubt, having a college degree increases one’s chances of finding employment. According to a 2017 Harvard Business School analysis, many companies acknowledge that they now offer substantial bonuses when hiring employees with college degrees (Newton). Clearly, corporations believe that a college degree is valuable and should be paid for.
Delving deeper into employers’ perspectives, a bachelor’s degree will help me demonstrate academic aptitude and perseverance. It makes more sense for businesses to demand a bachelor’s degree as more people enroll in college (Murray). Employers who demanded a bachelor’s degree would have been blocking themselves from the majority of talent, since only a small fraction of people had college degrees (Murray). In this situation, a college degree serves as an indicator of skills and abilities.
In my social circle, there is one individual whose journey is a testament to the expanded career opportunities that a college degree can provide. My friend graduated with a degree in computer science and, after several internships, has landed a position at a reputable technology company. As they reflect on their experience, they say the theoretical knowledge and practical activities helped them develop the skills and competencies needed for the positions they now hold.
Personal and Professional Development
Finally, I can argue that personal and professional growth will play a significant role in my life through my college experience and the degrees I earn. Some people might argue that such a degree and experience can be substituted with the information and courses found online. With the advent of technology, people have myriad opportunities to hone their talents and develop new skills, even for free. At the same time, expert opinion, such as that of Charles Murray, Chair Emeritus in Cultural Studies, highlights the pitfalls of such circumstances.
By the early 1990s, university-level courses on audio or videotape, taught by exceptional instructors on a variety of subjects, could be purchased for a few hundred dollars (Murray). Yet, distant learning remains an inadequate substitute for an excellent college seminar in the absence of simple communication between the instructor and students (Murray). In other words, online resources do not provide the necessary feedback, networking opportunities, and communication that offline education does.
From personal experience, I can argue that college has played a significant role in my life and contributed to my personal and professional growth. For example, through coursework and engaging discussions with my professors and peers, I developed critical thinking skills. Additionally, I honed my skills in articulating ideas and in grasping complex matters. Therefore, I had an opportunity to enhance not only my hard skills but also my soft skills.
Conclusion
In summary, a college degree unquestionably promotes personal and professional growth, increases employment prospects, and enhances earning potential. First, college graduates frequently command a sizable wage premium in the labor market. A bachelor’s degree also serves as a free screening tool for academic talent and tenacity. Businesses consider a college education worthwhile and ought to compensate for it.
Finally, while discussing the value of a college degree, personal and professional development are important. Without easy contact between the teacher and students, distance learning remains an unsuitable replacement for an exceptional college seminar. The feedback, networking possibilities, and communication that traditional education offers are not replicated in online tools.
Works Cited
Abel, Jaison R., and Richard Deitz. “Despite Rising Costs, College Is Still a Good Investment.” Liberty Street Economics, 2019.
Murray, Charles. “Are Too Many People Going to College?” American Enterprise Institute, 2008.
Newton, Derek. “Please Stop Asking Whether College Is Worth It.” Forbes, 2018.