Say Yes to a Degree

After you completed high school, or received your GED, you may have been one of the many graduates who decided college wasn't the next step. Maybe you thought, 'is there really time, or money to go to college right out of school?' You may have started a family, which led you to move out of the house and begin supporting yourself. Or maybe you just didn't have the motivation to go off to college after being a student for so many years.

Instead of college, you may have chosen another route: working. Working right away can seem like a great alternative for many young adults, but here's the downside. Right-out-of-high school jobs usually pay minimum wage. Fast food, retail, restaurant jobs, and cleaning, are all common jobs for high-school graduates. But as you get older, you may have more expenses, you may need to support more people, and sooner or later you're living paycheck to paycheck.

The next step you may want to consider is, you guessed it, going back to school! However, school can be costly, and time consuming. And are you really going to be guaranteed a good, higher paying salary job? It is risky, so there is some weighing you'll need to do first. According to David Leonhardt of the New York Times, ""The returns from a degree have soared… last year, full time workers with a bachelor's degree made 83% more than those with a high school diploma."" Employment seems to be much greater with those carrying a college degree, and although it doesn't guarantee a job, your odds are large. ""Construction workers, retail salespeople and secretaries, among others, make significantly more with a college degree than without one,"" says Leonhardt.

What does this mean exactly? Basically, say yes to a degree. Do your research, and find a degree that suits you and the education you wish to receive. The next concern you may have is 'where am I going to find the time?' The great news is that not only are there night and weekend classes, but there are tons and tons of online degrees available. Which means you can make your own schedule, work from home, and still keep your current job with ease. A little loss of sleep will pay off enormously in the long run, and you will have a greater chance of becoming more successful than those who do not earn a degree.