Tom Hanson, Contributing Writer
While it seems like a very simple question, the answer as to whether a college degree is really necessary is not as simple as one might think. The answer, in fact, lies with each individual and depends on a person's career plans.
If you have been thinking about going to college but have been wondering if obtaining a college degree is really all that important here are some important items to consider.
General statistics clearly indicate that furthering one's education can have an enormous positive impact on one's wages and respective career options. According to the U.S. census Bureau, the higher the educational status of a worker, the greater the salary and the number of career options available.
Recent data indicates that the median income for employees with only a high school diploma stands at a shade under $28,000 per year. In contrast, the median income for employees that have obtained a bachelor's degree now stands at more than $51,000 per year.
In addition to the income earnings average, the current job status of college graduates is also something to consider especially with today's struggling economy. Those with only a high school diploma are twice as likely to be unemployed as those who have earned at least a bachelors degree.
By the time a worker's career comes to a close, the difference in cumulative earnings for those graduating from high school and those from college will exceed a million dollars.
The number of professions requiring a bachelor's degree is expected to grow twice as fast as less-educated career-options. And when the key moment occurs for a promotion or career advancement, employers are more likely to promote the person who has taken the time to invest in their individual skills through further study.
Another aspect to consider for workers is their career choice. While earning a bachelor's degree offers certain benefits within specific career tracks, such a degree is not necessary for all employment paths.
But the need for investing in your skills through higher education could be just as important for these fields. Current projections indicate that about 75 percent of future jobs will require some type of certification or licensure
For such career options, it is important to understand that you may not need to pursue obtaining a bachelor's degree. However, ensuring future employment and career potential will most likely require furthering one's education within a certificate program or through vocational training.
All statistics point to the fact that furthering one's education is extremely critical in today's technology-oriented world, providing workers increased financial and job security. In fact, experts indicate that furthering one's education has likely become more important today than at any other time in our nation's history.