Education is one of the most important ingredients of a civilized human life. In the modern world, which is extremely fast paced and highly competent, education is the only means by which a person can enable himself or herself to survive. Earlier, high school education would have been enough for a person for earn a job or be considered as an educated individual. However, the present society has different standards and a college degree has become the criteria not only for earning a job but also for being treated as an educated person. The human race has evolved into its current status because of the faculty of intelligence, and education is the sole factor that helped this race to become a super power in the universe. Besides, education has also helped humans to attain spiritual and philosophical accomplishments. Thus, it can be stated that education is a very significant factor in human life and it is the basic element that has elevated this race to the position of being the most sophisticated living being in this universe. In the modern context, a college degree is the most essential component in an individual’s life and it is the only tool by which he or she can survive in a competitive environment.
Getting a good job is one of the most important factors in every individual’s life and this is a dream that every person cherishes. Job is the source through which he or she has to earn money and carry on with life, fending for the family and other dependents. The current time is marked by overall growth and development because of the advancements in technology, and there are ample career opportunities in different fields. However, the job market is characterized by extremely intense competition due to the fact that “supply is greater than demand…” (The Effects of Having a College Degree on Salaries, para.4). Employers have, thus, access to a wide array of choices when hiring human resources for their organizations. Most of the companies these days prescribe a college degree as the minimum qualification for a decent job. In addition, research show that earning potential for people who possess a college degree is significantly higher than those who do not have it. “The Economist’s Voice has published research which shows that those with a college degree earn, on average, 68% more than those who only graduate from high school.” (Getting a College Degree? Go to College, Do the Work, and get a Degree: Why Get a Degree, Para. 1). Therefore, it has become imperative for every individual to earn a college degree to attain a good job and receive a competitive salary. Thus, it transpires that the primary effect of a college degree is that it enables a person to get a good job that pays well.
Besides, a college degree is also the minimum requirement for securing admission to higher studies in any field. As stated earlier, the stiff competition that characterizes the present world has made it necessary for people to gain higher qualifications for getting better jobs. While in the olden days a college degree would have sufficed to earn a managerial position, presently organizations insist that the prospective candidates should have the minimum educational qualification of a postgraduate degree like MBA for being considered for the job as a manager. Similarly, if a person wants to attain a professional qualification in any field like engineering or medicine, he or she must primarily have a college degree for applying for any of the professional courses. Thus, earning a college degree has become the basic element in determining a person’s profession.
It has always been an inherent nature in human beings to change and evolve according to the needs of time. This reflects in their attitude towards the concept of education also. Earlier, people considered a high school graduate as educated. But as time moves on concepts and standards also have kept changing. Nowadays, no one will consider a high school graduate as an educated person. To be called ‘educated’ in the modern context, a person needs to have at least a college degree. Education also does not confine to mere imparting of knowledge from textbooks. Besides providing specific and detailed knowledge on different subjects, college is also the grooming ground for a student to develop his or her personality and gain experience in different aspects of life. College also serves as a platform for people to interact with each other, learn effective communication, and prepare themselves for the life ahead to become responsible citizens. “They learn from experience how much studying, drinking, and class skipping is permissible without having a negative effect on their GPA. Students also adjust to their surroundings and learn how to better use the resources around them and become more efficient at scheduling and utilizing their time to maximize their utility.” (Nelson Para. 4). Therefore, another effect of a college degree can be perceived in its ability to groom and develop youngsters into capable adults and equipping them with the necessary faculties to discharge their duties in their future roles in life.
From the above discussions it becomes apparent that a college degree has several positive effects on an individual. First of all, its relevance relates to the career choices of people and it is the tool that enables them to secure a good job that pays decently so that they can live a comfortable life. Another significant factor can be perceived in the context of a college degree being the basic qualification for a person to attain higher degrees of professional courses. As the competition becomes stiffer in the job market, only through higher education can people get better and higher paying jobs. A college degree is the springboard for everyone to attain the objective of higher education. Last but not the least, a college degree becomes significant as a platform for students to develop themselves as capable individuals and enabling them to handle their responsibilities in life.
Works Cited
Getting a College Degree? Go to College, Do the Work, and get a Degree: Why Get a Degree? e-ReferenceDesk. 2008. Web.
Nelson, Rebecca. Student Efficiency: A Study on the Behaviour and Productive Efficiency of College Students and the Determinants of GPA. Issues in Political Economy. Vol. 2. 2003. Web.
The Effects of Having a College Degree on Salaries. College and Scholarship. 2009. Web.