In a depressed economy, investing in oneself is one of the smartest things to do. With high unemployment and companies scaling back their work forces, enrolling in college classes is more valuable than fighting for a job.
The problem is most students have to work while going to school. This leaves stressed students to keep everything afloat while getting an education.
The U.S. unemployment rate looks likely to continue climbing past 9 percent, making jobs harder to find. If you are thinking about turning down job offers and waiting to land a dream job after graduation, think again.
As the recession takes its toll, companies will hire less actively and subsequently reduce their payrolls.
To land a job, a potential graduate will need to plan on differentiating himself from the competition to have an advantage.
But how do students manage this? Some cut back by leasing an inexpensive apartment.
Others, it means staying at home with mom and dad for a less complete college experience. Despite how painful or mundane this might be for one’s social life, it allows a student to maximize savings while minimizing costs.
Finding cheap or free rent allows some students to work a part-time job while keeping up with studies for in a full-time school schedule.
Often the cost of an education sways people to enter the cold, depleted job market without a degree.
Yet, loans can help make education more affordable.
Our government subsidizes education to encourage people to procure college degrees and increase human capital.
An educational investment is always appealing to the open market, providing incentive for companies and firms to hire and utilize knowledgeable workers.
The value of a degree, although in some cases not particularly immediate, surpasses the cost of getting one.
Data shows that college graduates will earn more than non-college graduates in their lifetimes.
The benefits are not only fiscal, as learning enhances all aspects of a person’s life. In college, students gain valuable problem-solving skills, tools for thinking, and reasoning abilities.
Those who do not value a scholastic investment may earn money quickly at first, but soon their degree-wielding peers will displace them with a higher job market value.
In a Tuesday broadcast, President Barack Obama spoke about why it’s important to work hard, study and dream big.
‘And no matter what you want to do with your life, I guarantee that you’ll need an education to do it,’ Obama said. ‘You can’t drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You’ve got to work for it and train for it and learn for it.’
This is applicable not only to the American children who heard the speech, but also for potential college students stuck with choosing between enrolling in classes or joining the work force.
Even though tuition rates have increased and times are financially rough, investing in an education is the best tool to achieve success.
Andrew Taylor is an economics junior and may be reached at [email protected]
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