Is A Degree Worth It? How It Can Impact Your Career

June 15, 2014

With the cost of an education rising year after year, is it still worth it to get your college degree? Although it may not seem worth spending $50,000, there are real benefits to doing so. With all of the grants and financial aid available, the cost is often not as high as you would expect either. Here are some benefits to getting a college degree or going back to school for even more education:

Improve Your Chances of Finding Work

Even if you don’t find a job in your chosen field, it is important that you get a degree to improve your odds of finding a job at all. In many cases, an employer may require a college degree to earn a job as a full-time cashier or a part-time manager. A bachelor’s degree, no matter the area of study, is often a standard requirement for many jobs.

Prove That You Can Finish What You Start

Completing a college degree shows that you are able to commit to something and see it through. Although college may seem easy to a lot of students, there are plenty of people who give up or cannot handle the rigors of a college education. Getting a degree show employers that you have the education, patience and work ethic needed.

It May Lead to Greater Mobility in Your Career

Having a degree may allow you to move up in your career. While you may need to start out as a part-time employee somewhere to find work, your degree may enable you to apply for job postings within the company or use your experience combined with your degree to find work elsewhere.

Receive a Higher Salary

The odds of getting a higher salary improves with a master’s degree in almost any field.For those who want a career in the healthcare field, obtaining a bachelor of health information management can help you receive a much higher salary compared to those who do not have such a degree. On average, you can expect to make $9-16k more per year after graduating with a bachelor’s than an associate’s degree in HIM. With an MBA, employees can earn a much better salary than their counterparts who don’t have a master’s degree.

Your Employer May Pay for Your Degree

Don’t hesitate to ask your employer to pay for some or all of your college education if you are required to take classes to improve your skills or gain certain certifications. An employee assistance fund may be available to provide tax-free cash to pay for school.

You Don’t Always Need a Four-Year Degree

You might not need a four-year degree to start working in your chosen field. For example, if you want to be a writer, you may be able to get by with a few classes at a community college before you start building your professional portfolio. If you don’t have the money or time for a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree right now, any education counts for something.

If you are debating whether or not to get your degree, it may be more beneficial in the long run to do so even if it seems like a large expense. By getting your degree, you make yourself more marketable and make it easier to find a job as you get older. That’s one investment that can really pay off.