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Why should I want to finish college?

Ten Reasons to Go Back to College and Finish that Degree

by David K. Moldoff, Founder of AcademyOne.  Follow me on Twitter @DavidMoldoff

Specialization requires people to master material, learn best practices, skills and know-how.   Formal educational programs offer accelerated avenues to learn from formal courses - while revealing capabilities and aptitude of learners. Explore College Majors and find institutions that offer them...

Why should I want to finish College now? This article summarizes ten reasons you should consider. Whether you are graduating from high school or an adult considering returning to College, the participation in formal education programs can accelerate opportunities and prepare you for the future. The credential earned represents the milestone - and is a stepping off point for future opportunities if it is well respected.

In today's fast paced workplace we have less time, more deadlines, tougher competition, greater sophistication and specialization than ever before. Education can make a difference. Why do I need more education? Why should I be open to learning from others? Does a college degree really matter that much in the long run? How can an education develop my special talents? There are colleges, majors and courses for just about everything. Here a few reasons to invest in a college education:
  1. Be happier with yourself. Education opens your eyes to things you may have never considered. Education offers exposure to the past, present and future. No matter where you turn, learning is everywhere. Humans strive to succeed by learning from others.
  2. Talent is our natural ability to perform some form of effort, such as playing a musical instrument or throwing a baseball 90 MPH.  Learning how to groom, grow and improve your talent can be accelerated with education. Learn from others and borrow their techniques.
  3. You'll earn more money per year than a high school graduate. People who go into vocational trades can make a very good living. However, there are upward limits on your potential earning power, given physical limits, skills, and age. The educated you are, the more money you can earn. Check out the information published by the U.S. Department of Labor if you don't want to take my word for it.
  4. You'll stay healthier, live longer, and have more self-confidence. It has been well documented that people with more education eat better, take care of their bodies and handle the daily pressures of life.
  5. You’re less likely to go without work. The rate of unemployment for college educated adults is about half of those with a high school education. Unemployment lasts longer without a college education. More opportunities are open to you with a college degree. The labor and vocational jobs are more cyclical and impacted by the economy as a whole.
  6. You will be prepared to enter a new career field.  College helps you prepare for life and the challenges we have to balance.
  7. You set a good example for family members AND your children will be more likely to succeed in life. Place a value on education and they will follow. College educated adults will motivate their children to excel and attend college.
  8. You will be more competitive in filling job requirements and new openings at your workplace. Check with your HR department. The changing employment market won't get any easier.
  9. The world economy is changing rapidly. Job markets aren’t local, rather they are global. You will likely be competing for jobs with college educated people in Japan, India and China, so you need to be prepared.
  10. The fastest growing jobs in America all require a college education. Even manufacturing jobs, common in many parts of the country, often require two-year college degrees. Technical degrees are also in demand from health care to construction to zoology. Don't assume you can just learn things on the job or on your own.

Get enrolled and invest your time wisely learning from others. It will be a good investment no one can discount or take away from you.

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This article was written by AcademyOne's CEO and Founder David K. Moldoff who has worked in higher education for over thirty five years. Mr. Moldoff has been developing student centered enrollment systems since the 70's spanning multiple institutions, policies and practices. Mr. Moldoff graduated from Drexel University through the cooperative education program and majored in economics with a minor in marketing.