This is one of those maybe/maybe not questions. There are lots of people in successful careers who don’t have college degrees and by the same token, a college degree doesn’t guarantee a successful career. However, according to Georgetown University's "Help Wanted" report, by 2018, "about two-thirds of all employment will require some college education or better." That having been said, another study finds that the jobless rate for recent college graduates with bachelor's degrees has been running at 8.9 percent.
College is not for everyone, and depending on your career direction, you may want to pursue other learning avenues beyond high school such as culinary school or an apprenticeship. So, what’s the deal? The deal is that the decision to go to college or perhaps finish a degree is an individual decision. In today’s employment environment, you should look at as many resources as possible to build employability whether it’s a college degree or advanced training. College graduates with a bachelor’s degree earn 74 percent more per year than those who only complete high school. So, you’re likely to make a lot more money with a degree, or some higher education, than without it. Without such development you may be out of the loop for promotions or jobs which require a certain skill, a certificate or a degree.
A college degree can give your career a boost and having a degree or specialized training may give you an edge when looking for a job or seeking advancement.
Jimmy J
3:51 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
I agree that college is not for everyone. I used my college time to refine what I wanted to do careerwise. My BA degree was a requirement for the position that I began my career. I also got an MBA degree 20 yrs later and feel that this education made it easier for me to advance. Also, I believe you would find that high school grads have a higher unemployment rate than college grads. As you mentioned, college grads average a higher income over time than less educated workers. There are exceptions ...but I do believe education is important to career success. Thanks for this article.