A College Education and The Impact It Leaves

Mikayla Canales

American Government - P, Period 5

Mr. Hawkins
15 December 2016
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Introduction

Education is the most powerful weapon in which [one] can change the world. Famous

quotes, such as this one by Nelson Mandela, have always convinced individuals that attending a

university and receiving a degree is what is necessary. However, in the United States, people are

beginning to wonder if postsecondary schooling is actually worth the price of attendance. They

want to know how a college education impacts their lives, and they want a straightforward

answer. However, there are many factors that make college worth it or not worth it, and these

factors vary from person to person. Looking at factors such how a college education affects ones

career opportunities, economic standings, and quality of life helps individuals formulate the

impact that postsecondary schooling will leave on their lives. Since these three factors arent the

same for everyone, one must consider their own situation in order to answer the question of Is

college worth it?

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Sub Topic #1

How does a college a college education affect career opportunities?

With an unpredictable job market, individuals are looking for a way to gain more job

opportunities. It has been made clear that a college education is essential to improve career

opportunities, since there has been an increase in job competition in recent times. As times

change, people are beginning to notice that its becoming exceptionally difficult to set

themselves apart from others and gain employment; a high school diploma doesnt seem like

enough anymore, especially in highly populated areas. One way someone can gain an advantage

is through furthering their education past high school. To grasp the idea of why a college

education is beneficial for job opportunities, it is important to understand how a college

education equips one with essential career skills, increases the probability of securing a stable

job, and has become the new minimum requirement for employment.

One reason why a college education is beneficial for job opportunities is because it

equips individuals with skills that are essential in a career. For example, going to college

improves ones communication skills, The ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and

persuasively will help you land the perfect job (CollegeAtlas.org 1). In college, one is

able to build their communication skills through meeting new people, attending social events,

giving important presentations in front of peers, etc. This makes someone more charismatic,

which entices employers; thus, those who built communication skills in college can outcompete

those who didnt. The website also states that individuals with a college education are more

likely to develop complex thoughts, most students come away with a greater ability to think

analytically (CollegeAtlas.org 1). People who are able to produce more complex and

analytical thought processes are those who are the best at problem solving and working
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efficiently. It is common for employers to test job interviewees on their ability to think

meticulously, giving those with a postsecondary education an advantage. Another website points

out how college equips students with the skill of networking, Many colleges offer social media

workshops, networking tips, career-related consultation, and alumni networks

(ProCon.org 1). Since the job market is constantly changing, the means of gaining employment

in todays world are too; networking is how many find their jobs. College teaches students how

to open doors for themselves and find those who are willing to offer individuals gaining a degree

employment after school, leaving those not in college without this essential skill. Overall, one

can see a college education is beneficial through equipping individuals with the essential career

skills of communication, analytical thinking, and networking.

One way a college education benefits ones job opportunities is through increasing the

probability of securing a stable job. For example, one website pointed out that a lot of the jobs

with the best security require a degree, Some of the jobs with the best job security during a

recession include registered nursing, public school teacher, college professor, accountant,

federal judge, doctor and air traffic controller. Not surprisingly, most of these jobs also

require a college degree (CollegeAtlas.org 1). Those without a degree arent able to compete

for these jobs, since they lack the necessary education. This means they must find a job with less

security and cannot reap the benefits that a college educated individual might during an

economic tragedy. One research website states that college graduates are more likely to feel they

have a career, ...Employed Millennial college graduates are more likely than their peers

with a high school diploma or less education to say their job is a career or a steppingstone

to a career (86% vs. 57%) (PewSocialTrends.org). This shows that college graduates are

more likely to feel stable in a job and feel as if theyve made a career for themselves. This means
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that those with only a high school education dont feel as stable in their careers, since they are

more likely to have settled for jobs that they feel they are in only to get by. Lastly, it can be seen

that unemployment rates are significantly lower for those who hold a degree, In Apr. 2013, the

unemployment rate for college graduates aged 25 and over with a bachelor's degree was

3.6%, compared to 5.0% for associate's degree holders, 7.5% for high school graduates,

and 11.4% for high school drop-outs (ProCon.org 1). With unemployment rates steadily

decreasing as the education level increases, it seems logical for individuals to gain an education.

Since those with only a high school diploma cant compete with the college educated, they are

less likely to find a job; thus, a high school diploma isnt enough to give one security in a job. In

conclusion, one can observe a college education increases the probability of gaining a stable job

since a majority of jobs with high job security require a degree, college graduates feel more

confident in their careers, and unemployment rates are lower for those with a postsecondary

education.

The third reason why a college education is beneficial for job opportunities is because a

postsecondary education has become the new minimum requirement for employment. Firstly,

there has been an influx of college graduates into the job market, The firms report said,

This credential inflation, or upcredentialing, is affecting a wide range of jobs from

executive assistants to construction supervisors (CSUGlobal.edu 1). Since so many people

are gaining a postsecondary degree, they are taking all of todays jobs. This leaves those with

only a high school education unable to compete for employment against those with a favorable

college education. Secondly, America is beginning to eliminate jobs that those without an

education typically fill, Occupations losing the most jobs are clerks, cashiers,

telemarketers, packagers, and farmers (Demas 1). With the demand of blue collared jobs
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decreasing, many without an education have no choice but to turn to white collared jobs for

employment. However, there arent enough white collared jobs for those with and without a

college degree; furthermore, those with a postsecondary education benefit since they have

something employers favor. Thirdly, certain career fields cannot hire someone unless they

possess a degree, Many jobs in the fastest-growing industries such as health care,

education, and business support services require a bachelor's degree or above-and the

number keeps growing (Demas 1). The job market is booming with STEM related careers,

enticing young students to pursue a career in fields such as healthcare and engineering. However,

these two job fields along with other fields, such as education, require a college degree; this

leaves those with only a high school diploma unable to pursue in demand jobs. In the end, one

can see how a college education has become the new minimum requirement for employment

through the influx of college graduates, elimination of numerous blue collared jobs, and

mandatory degree level of certain jobs.

It is important to understand how a college education equips one with essential career

skills, increases the probability of securing a stable job, and has become the new minimum

requirement for employment to grasp the idea of why a college education is beneficial for job

opportunities. Those with only a high school diploma arent able to compete with college

graduates for job opportunities. It is only becoming increasingly difficult to gain career

opportunities as the years go on. A high school diploma doesnt hold the value it once did.

Therefore, the best way for an individual to gain opportunity is to seek an education beyond their

high school experience.

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Sub-Topic #2

How does a college education affect ones economic standings?

In todays world, more and more individuals are turning to a college education to

improve their economic standings. However, it has become increasingly evident that for some, a

postsecondary education may or may not be a financially sound decision. With an ever-changing

economy, it is essential that individuals make financially astute choices that will lead to a more

propitious future. To form an understanding of why a college education may or may not a be a

prudent economical investment, it is essential to grasp how many postsecondary students either

financially prosper or suffer following their schooling.

After postsecondary schooling, many students economic standings improve, making a

college education a financially sound decision. For example, those who hold a degree are paid

substantially more money each year than individuals with only a high school education, The

economic analysis finds that Millennial college graduates ages 25 to 32 who are working

full time earn more annuallyabout $17,500 morethan employed young adults holding

only a high school diploma (PewSocialTrends.org 1). When individuals are trying to pay

bills, any amount of money helps; it could mean the difference between being able to paying rent

and not. Earning almost $18,000 more a year helps individuals make sure that all necessities are

paid for and that they arent living below the poverty line. Another website mentions that the

extra money college graduates earn annually equates to a large sum of money at the end of their

working careers, ... On average, bachelors degree holders earn about $2.3 million over

their lifetime And those with a high school diploma can look forward to earning about

$1.3 million over their lifetime (CollegeAtlas.org 1). Earning around one million more by just

obtaining a bachelor's degree can be beneficial in numerous way. This extra revenue can help
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fund ones retirement and pay for certain luxuries, or it could help feed a hungry family. In

addition, those with a degree are more likely to benefit financially by gaining higher positions

within a company, According to research done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, someone

with a college degree... is also more likely to have promotion opportunities throughout their

lifetime (Christian 1). A degree exponentially increases ones probability of upward mobility,

which also increases earning potential. As workers move to higher positions, their pay

customarily grows as well; this helps individuals live a more financially comfortable life.

Furthermore, a college education is financially wise considering the dramatic decline in the value

of a high school diploma, While earnings of those with a college degree rose, the typical

high school graduates earnings fell by more than $3,000, from $31,384 in 1965 to $28,000

in 2013 (PewSocialTrends.org). With the decrease in the value of a high school diploma, more

and more people without a higher education are suffering economically. Its becoming more

common for those with only a high school diploma to be living below the poverty line, making

postsecondary schooling an economically sound decision. The same website also referred to the

fact that postsecondary graduates are more likely to be employed, College-educated

Millennials also are more likely to be employed full time than their less-educated

counterparts (89% vs. 82%) and significantly less likely to be unemployed (3.8% vs.

12.2%) (PewSocialTrends.org). Since college educated individuals are more likely to be

employed, they are more likely to be able to earn money during times of economic turmoil.

Furthermore, job security makes postsecondary schooling worth the tuition money. To conclude,

a college education improves ones economic standings by boosting their annual income,

increasing their income over their lifetime, making them more likely to be eligible for a
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promotion, being more valuable than a high school diploma, and increasing their employment

chances.

A multitude of students find that their economic standings were worsened by their

postsecondary schooling, making college a financially injudicious decision. Firstly, the amount

of student debt students often graduate with can financially cripple them, 25-year-olds with

student debt increased from 25% to 43%, and their average loan balance was $20,326 in

2012--a 91% increase since 2003 (ProCon.org). Student loan debt can follow borrowers for

their entire lives by being something people arent able to claim bankruptcy over; it must be paid

off by the borrower, no matter what. If students arent able to earn a high enough salary

following their schooling, its possible they would have student loan debt for years to come; this

would tremendously affect their financial future, making a college education an economically

unwise choice. An infographic also indicates that postsecondary students are more likely to

accumulate credit card debt during their schooling, The average recent college graduate has

four or more credit cards and over $4,100 in credit card debt (2009) (ProCon.org). Since

college students only have a small amount of money to spend while continuing their education,

many have to use credit cards to pay for necessities. Credit card loans leave many young people

financially unstable while they are already struggling due with student loan debt. Another

website points out how certain colleges cost more to attend, In 2010, the average annual

tuition plus expenses at a private, nonprofit, four-year college reached about $35,000

This $140,000 investment for undergraduate students who graduate in four years

represents the most expensive route to earning a degree available today (Christian 1).

Though there are some benefits of attending a private college, the price of schooling leaves some

with a crippling amount of debt. The $140,000 typical private college tuition students typically
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pay can lead to them not being able to purchase expensive items such as a car or a house in the

future, possibility putting a halt to their ability to start a family. It can also be seen that a college

education doesnt necessarily guarantee a stable job, In 2013, 44% of college graduates were

"underemployed"... In 2015, the unemployment rate of young college graduates was 7.2%

two percent higher than the average unemployment rate (PBS.org). When postsecondary

students cant find employment after their education, they arent able to pay for necessities,

including their student loan payments. People attend college to gain employment opportunities,

but their schooling will not pay for itself if they cant make money. Another infographic proves

that not all college degrees guarantee high earnings by comparing a degree in petroleum

engineering, which earns $120,000 annually, to a counseling psychology degree, which gives

one an annual income of $30,000 (NPR.org). $30,000 would be a fair starting salary for a lot

of college graduates, but $30,000 is the average income for all employees in the field of

counseling psychology, regardless of their years of experience. When students major in a field

that wont earn a salary over a certain threshold, the cost of college isnt worth the low pay. In

closing, a college education can be detrimental to ones finances by giving he or she tremendous

amounts of student loan debt, increasing their credit card debt, having some colleges be more

expensive than others, not guaranteeing stable jobs, and not always resulting in a high salary.

It is essential to grasp how many postsecondary students either financially prosper or

suffer following their schooling to form an understanding of why a college education may or

may not a be a prudent economical investment. Everyone is different; therefore, college may or

may not be the most logical decision for some. It has been made clear that many students reek

the financial benefits that come along with postsecondary schooling, but others arent so
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fortunate. For that reason, it is necessary that individuals consider their financial future before

continuing on to higher education.

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Sub-Topic #3

How does a college education affect ones quality of life?

The quality of life is more important than life itself. In today's world, it has been made

clear that those with a college education experience a higher quality of life than those with only a

high school diploma. Everyone is looking to live a comfortable and fulfilling life, but not all are

able to access one. With more and more people looking into how to achieve the goal of a high

quality of life, the majority agrees that higher education is a tremendous factor. In order to fully

comprehend why a college education improves ones quality of life, it is necessary to grasp how

postsecondary schooling leads to higher levels of happiness and better health.

One way a college education improves an individual's quality of life is through increasing

their happiness. Firstly, its been proven that those who possess a college degree have higher job

satisfaction, ...job satisfaction can be big factor in our overall satisfaction with life and

sense of well-being. Studies have also shown that as level of education increase, so does job

satisfaction (CollegeAtlas.org). The majority of people who claim to have little to no job

satisfaction are usually those with a high school diploma or lower. With the thought of their

quality of life in mind, the majority of college students choose their majors; most individuals

follow paths that interest them and/or make money. The same website mentions that college

graduates are also less likely to stress during times of financial hardship, During a recession,

the unemployment rate among college graduates is substantially lower than the

unemployment rate among employees with only a high school diploma (CollegeAtlas.org).

Since college graduates are more likely to experience job stability, they normally dont stress as

much as those with only a high school diploma when it comes to an economic downturn. This

reduced stress makes college graduates more likely to be happy, which means they are more
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likely to have a higher quality of life than those with only a high school diploma. A different

website states that those who continued on to postsecondary schooling are more likely to find

enjoyment in engaging with their community, ...college graduates are more connected to

their communities, with higher weekly church attendance and an increased likelihood of

civic engagement... Research profiled on PBSs This Emotional Life indicates that

community involvement contributes to more satisfaction in life (CollegeStats.org). People

feel a sense of fulfillment when they contribute to their community in even the smallest ways.

Since college graduates are more likely to experience this fulfillment, they are more inclined to

believe their quality of life is high. In addition, college graduates are more likely to be satisfied

in their marriages, The divorce rate for college graduates who married between 1990 and

1994 is about 25 percent. Thats compared with more than 50 percent for those without a

four-year college degree (GreatSchools.org). Since the divorce rate of those who received a

postsecondary education is half of the divorce rate of those who only obtained a high school

education, one can conclude that those who attended a university are more likely to be part of an

untroubled marriage. Furthermore, the stress and hurt that a broken marriage brings an individual

can significantly lower their quality of life; college graduates are less likely to experience this

pain, giving them a higher quality of life. In conclusion, a college education increases ones

happiness by leading to higher job satisfaction, stability during economic hardships, frequent

community involvement, and a more blissful marriage.

The second way postsecondary education leads to a higher quality of life is by improving

ones health. For example, those with a college degree have a higher life expectancy than those

with only a high school diploma, Broadly, life expectancy is increasing, but those with more

education are reaping most of the benefits, Chang said. The bottom line is paying
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attention to education has the potential to substantively reduce mortality (NYU.edu).

Since college graduates live longer than those with only a high school diploma, one can assume

this is caused by a higher quality of health. Better health enables one to partake in more activities

and live freely, giving he or she a higher quality of life. A different website acknowledges the

proven fact that those who possess a college degree are also less likely to damage their health

through the use of harmful toxins, In 2008, 20% of all adults were smokers, while 9% of

college graduates were smokers (ProCon.org). College graduates are proven to have a better

understanding of how dangerous substances, such as tobacco, have a negative effect on health; a

multitude of researchers have proven those with a degree are less likely to abuse all substances,

including alcohol and narcotics as well. Since college graduates are less likely to use toxins that

are detrimental to their well-being, they are healthier, and their quality of life is ultimately

increased. In addition, those who finished postsecondary schooling are more likely to work out

than those who didnt, 63% of 25 to 34 year old college graduates reported exercising

vigorously at least once a week compared to 37% of high school graduates (ProCon.org).

Its a well known fact that exercising leads to numerous benefits for ones body; those who

exercise are generally healthier than those who dont. Since more college graduates exercise,

they are more likely to combat illnesses through physical activity than those with only a high

school education; better health translates to a higher quality of life. Finally, college degree

holders are more likely to be healthier due to their larger access to health care, A 2008 report

produced by College Board showed that roughly 70 percent of individuals with a four-year

college degree received health insurance from their employer, while less than 50 percent of

employees with only a high school diploma received the same benefit (CollegeAtlas.org). If

an individual doesnt have easy access to affordable health care, they are less likely to visit a
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doctor for existing complications and for problem prevention. Since college graduates are more

likely to have easier access to affordable health care through their employers, they are more

likely to act upon their medical needs; this ultimately gives them better health and a higher

quality of life. To conclude, postsecondary education improves ones health by giving them a

higher life expectancy, a lower probability of using harmful substances, a greater likelihood of

exercising, and greater access to affordable health care.

It is necessary to grasp how postsecondary schooling leads to higher levels of happiness

and better health in order to fully comprehend why a college education improves ones quality of

life. Though ones happiness and health depends on numerous factors other than ones education

level, holding a degree can exponentially improve these two things. Health and happiness come

together to truly impact lives. When someone is joyful and healthy, their quality of life increases.

Since everyone strives to have a high quality of life, more people need to turn to university to

find what they are looking for.

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Works Cited

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