Photo by Jeff Sanders
The state of Tennessee, where I live, is ranked number 47 out of 50 (that’s 3rd worst in the country) for college graduation rates. Only 45% of Tennessee freshman end up graduating within 6 years. Based on this data we could discuss who is responsible for the failure of so many students, why they are dropping out so frequently, how we could increase retention rates, or what role the economy is playing in all this. But, I want to focus on the long-term effects of not finishing school, especially how a college degree effects your career.
Three Reasons Why You Should Finish College
1. Your Brain – education is a priority for a reason. If you didn’t go to school you would lack the basic skills you need to survive at any job. Your brain needs a challenge and you need the opportunity to grow. School is the safest and best place to expand your mind and your confidence before your enter the job market. Finishing college for some students is simply a part of the plan set forth by their family. It’s expected. For others, you may be the first in your family to even go to college at all. So, imagine the boost in confidence when you walk across the stage after four years of challenging yourself. Four years of thinking outside the box. It makes you smarter, sharper, more confident, qualified, and incredibly capable of thriving on your own.
2. Your Resume – this one should be obvious. Employers, for the most part, are more impressed with higher education on a resume. This doesn’t apply to every job out there, but it definitely applies to the more competitive ones. Another thing to consider, the economy has slumped, which increased unemployment. Thus, fewer jobs and more applicants. So, as an employer it’s significantly easier to be picky. Education, or lack there of, is an easy pre-qualifier for a job. If another candidate has a degree and you don’t, you may be ignored for an interview based on that fact alone. Even a degree from an online school is better than not at all. Your odds of getting an interview and getting hired for that first job dramatically increase with a degree. Side note, it doesn’t matter if your degree is from Harvard or a tiny No-Name University in the middle of nowhere. Finishing the degree is what matters, not where it’s from, or how long it took to get it.
3. Your Future – The relationship between one’s education and their career is intended to be linear (i.e. degree in medicine leads to a career as a doctor) though for many it’s far from a straight line. Many students finish their undergrad with majors in Psychology, Biology, and English, and end up taking jobs in completely unrelated fields. However, whether your on the straight track to becoming an accomplished professional, or you accidentally find success in a job that has nothing to do with what you studied in school, the result is the same. Those with college degrees end up as doctors, lawyers, managers, business owners, professors, conductors, etc., while the students who failed to graduate college in the first place rarely climb as high on the ladder as their highly-educated counterparts. Without a degree the long-term outlook is grimmer, not nearly as promising.
So, why does the college graduation rate matter? The quality and availability of jobs depends greatly on the education of the city. If Tennessee can improves its graduation rate, it can improve its economy. Here’s an article from TimesNews.net that seals the issue.
The quality of a state’s education is tied to its economy. Long-term, businesses won’t locate or expand where educational systems are deficient, where the workforce is not trained, and government doesn’t provide sufficient support and encouragement. And it’s important as a social issue because the quality of life erodes where educational institutions languish.
Bottom line: a great education is an investment in your career, though it may take years to see the effect. It’s a long-term investment and you have to keep your eyes on the prize. Begin with the end in mind: get your degree and give yourself the opportunity to succeed.
Don’t forget to check out my new revolutionary eBook for conquering life after college!
The Clueless Graduate,
Jeff Sanders
Follow @cluelessgrad
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