With all the battles that hinder over individuals of today’s society, a college degree has never been so valuable than it is right now. The Huffington Post acknowledges, “Higher Education. . .it’s about the people, and opening up the worlds of opportunity that only education can provide” (par. 13). The greater things in life aren’t just handed out, people need to work for a better life. Dedicated efforts into a degree will offer an actual career, and beneficial access to quality jobs. It’s about being a part of a movement, and given chances not available without a degree. Although there are other ways to succeed in life, having a college degree is a good lifestyle investment.
Having a college degree provides more job opportunities, which leads someone to having a better lifestyle because they can choose what career they want. College is a good investment, which was further elaborated by Lizzie Wann, a writer for the Chicago Tribune. She trusted that a higher education is beyond what a steady job and financial security can offer. She illustrated that, earning a degree is now labeled what she called a rite of passage. It’s almost as if when someone has earned a degree, they have achieved a goal they have been longing for, and that achievement cannot be taken away from you (par. 6). The worthy things that comes out of having a degree, are commonly unobserved. For example, my dad is a first generation, meaning the first to graduate from college. He may have not graduated right away because things happen in life, but it didn’t stop him from later continuing his education. He pushed through hardship, but knew he had a purpose, and overcame obstacles to achieve his Master’s in Education. That degree provided him employment at Washington State University Tri-Cities and Columbia Basin College. My dad had many excuses not to pursue his degree, but he wanted a better life not just for himself but for me. We may not be rich, but with his degree, we have been fortunate along the way. Since obtaining his degree, he has maintained jobs. On many occasions, he told me, “No matter where life takes course, get your education because things can easily be taken away from you, but the one thing that can’t be taken, is your education” and that right there was enough for me. Wann thoroughly emphasized the benefits that going to college to achieve a degree can provide a better lifestyle when it came to employment. A degree provides poise, a mental boost, the upper hand in life when searching for employment, and something to pass on.
Though a degree can be a good lifestyle investment, it’s not the only way of being successful in life. Stated by Charles Murray, “. . .not all students possess the ability to succeed in genuine college-level study, and therefore such students should pursue other career avenues suited to their specific aptitudes” (qtd in Jason Fertig, par. 3). The essence of Murrays argument is that higher education was becoming harder to maintain. To contribute to that, Fertig goes deep into the lives of well known individuals who made it big with limited to no schooling. To elaborate, categorized as the jock, Kobe Bryant became successful without a degree. Following his father Joe Bryant’s footsteps, Kobe was a rooted athlete, it was in his blood stream. Sports were his gateway to the impact he has made on people. In high school, Bryant was well capable of maintaining academic eligibility due to his test scores but his knowledge wasn’t in the books, it was on the court. Instead of going to an up scaled university, when he was seventeen he was listed in the NBA draft. Kobe has made numerous achievements with the career he chose, Fertig elaborated on his achievements, “five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, a thirteen-time All-Star, a former league MVP, a former Slam Dunk contest champion, and the receipt of an annual salary of around $25,000,000” (Par. 10). Murray and Fertig show key examples that you don’t need a degree to have a good lifestyle, because there are many ways to becoming successful without it. If someone can be as dedicated and passionate about something the way Kobe Bryant was about basketball, there aren’t limits to what someone can do.
To obtain a good lifestyle, a degree gives people the upper hand when it comes to an employer seeking the perfect candidate for a position. Wann mentions, “Studies conducted. . .found that those who have completed additional schooling are not only better equipped to handle mental challenges but also report a higher level of satisfaction when doing so” (Par. 4). For instance, my mother went to beauty college and received a degree in cosmetology. She is now an office manager for an up scaled plastic surgeon. My mom saw an opportunity and she took it, she went in with confidence and they saw no reason not to hire her. She had prior knowledge, and it wasn’t going to take long for her to get a hang of the ropes and get it all down. To get out of a dead-end job, she looked for something she was passionate about. She didn’t accept being a low paid hair stylist, she worked her way up to something that pays well. The company she works for trust that my mom will do great, and they make sure she knows it. Wann’s point is that if someone has a higher level of education, it won’t go unnoticed if how dedicated they are shows in the efforts they put into the work they’re doing. In the end, it may not be the most pleasant job, but it can give someone a good life, if they’re educated in the career they are pursuing.
To achieve a prosperous lifestyle, investing in a higher education is what is needed to be successful. David Leonhardt, demonstrates that college is a no-brainer, “But there is
nothing magical about 13 years of education. As the economy becomes more technologically complex, the amount of education that people need will rise” (Par. 16). People need to realize that there is no future if people aren’t pursing something better than an unstable, low income, temporary position. For example, my cousin was offered an internship for a computer company based out of Seattle. He’s been under their wing for about 2 years. Prior he went to a four-year university and received his bachelor degree in computer science. He took on this internship to one day work for a higher-level technology company including Microsoft, and Apple. He was told there was soon to be an opening later this fall but to get an interview with Microsoft, despite the knowledge and educational background he had, he needs to get certified in another degree. Which means, extra schooling. But to him, it’s something he didn’t hesitate saying okay to. He wants to make something of himself, and have a successful career in something he is passionate about. Like Leonhardt discussed, the rise to the amount of education needed is well on its way. To be successful in the future people need to put effort in to attaining a degree.
In the end, the cards are dealt. You chose how you want to live your life. You can live paycheck to paycheck at a job you hate but ignore because you need the money, or you can dedicate time and effort into loving something and attain a good lifestyle. Right now, education is the key to success. You can pray and hope that you will successful without a degree, but the chances are slim. The best choice is to strive and be open to bigger and greater opportunities. And to conclude, achieving a degree isn’t just a piece of paper, its knowing you can start something and because your so dedicated, you can successfully finish it.