Author: Tony
Jacowski
As the job market has opened up, filling open positions has become a more
selective process, with managers being hired for their college degree and
specific experience. With the IT industry dominating the job market, it is
important for candidates to continuously update their skills and knowledge,
coupled with experience that is specific to the position.
The Case For
Obtaining A Degree
To distinguish yourself from the other candidates in
the industry, it is important to have a well-balanced approach. The days of
graduating and walking into a job with a hefty pay and benefits package are
over. These days, managers who seek jobs in IT companies need to be
knowledgeable candidates with specific experience, who can work on a team and
have the ability to communicate across divisional lines within the organization
in order to achieve goals.
Lifetime earnings are greater for people with
higher levels of education. A Bachelor's Degree holder can expect to earn about
73 percent more in a 40-year working life span than a high school graduate earns
over the same period. The average lifetime earnings for individuals with
associate degrees are almost 25 percent higher than that of high school
graduates. Education is what broadens our perspective and enhances our abilities
to perform our mission in life. To get into the job market with a higher
position, a person can continue working, simultaneously study and get a degree
through online education.
Experience vs. Education
In the past,
some parents felt that a college education was a waste of time and money, and
they wanted their children to work early and gain experience. However, these
days, they understand the importance of a degree and what their children will
gain by acquiring it. Larger numbers of African-Americans have become more
concerned about both the access to education and its necessity. Although the
patterns in each class of society differ, the overall direction is clear, and
people understand the importance of a college degree these days.
Today,
getting a higher education has become an aspiration, as much as owning a home or
feeling secure after retirement. People now realize that getting a college
degree, or at least some form of education after high school, is the surest way
to enter into the middle class strata of society. According to surveys, most
people say that attending college and acquiring a degree is a necessity to keep
pace with the competition in the workforce, and statistics show that an
investment in post-secondary education pays off in higher
earnings.
Access To Education
Previously, getting an education was
a privilege reserved for the rich and upper middle class, but now it is open to
everyone. The field of higher education includes both the intense competition
for students to get into private universities, and low cost community colleges
that take in all students with an open enrollment policy. Specialized trade
schools, state universities and corporate training centers are all offering
education these days. A generation ago, many colleges turned away students based
on gender, race or religion. That has now changed, with court rulings and social
changes leading to an increasingly diverse student population. Women now account
for more than half of the college students, and in 1999, minorities accounted
for 28 percent of the college enrollments.
Though income is still a
deciding factor, federal grants, states and universities are increasingly
helping students from lower income backgrounds to get a degree. Many colleges
are dedicating an increasing percentage of aid to students based on academic
merit, sports ability, or musical talent. In every respect, acquiring a degree
will make the future better by raising the standards of living.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/goal-setting-articles/the-importance-of-a-degree-114230.html
About
the Author:
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six
Sigma Online offers online six sigma
training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green
belts, and yellow belts.