Why_Is_a_College_Education_so_Important

Why is a College Education so Important' Sharin Stary Comm 215 February 9, 2011 John Miglio Why is a College Education so Important' For students of any age a college education is essential today and to the future. Along with higher earning power education helps prepare society for certain roles. Education helps level the playing field so individuals will have more opportunities in life. Education breaks down the barriers between race, ethnicity, and income levels. A college degree prepares the individual for leadership roles that would be difficult to obtain without a degree. Positive results that come from a college education may not necessarily be apparent. A college education can help with critical thinking, and assist the individual in making informed decisions. It can affect children to have a greater learning potential, by seeing the outcome in the lives of the adults around them. Education can make better consumers, by helping ourselves better understand how bureaucracies work. Individuals, who obtain education, become more involved in our communities, schools, and the legal system. A college education has several other positive effects on society. Studies have shown that college graduates stay married longer to the same person, are less likely to become imprisoned, or use tobacco products and are likely to be stable contributing members of society. Negatives associated with college are usually financial. These include rising tuition rates, repayment of student loans, for those fresh out of high school the inability to possess immediate earnings, or obtaining a degree that would not be relevant in today’s society. Repaying student loans can be a serious financial burden, especially for an older adult facing retirement. Other negatives can have to do with relationships and time demands. While attending college the student may find relationships with family and friends can suffer with demands of college. The student finds there is a serious lack of leisure time than prior to starting college. Why college now' For the older generation the older population has a wide array of educational needs from earning a GED Credential to a postgraduate certificate. Older adults are underrepresented on college and university campuses and do not see post secondary education as an option or benefit. Many older adults want the opportunity to reinvent themselves but find barriers related to financing, support services and the lack of transportation continue to make lifelong learning inaccessible. Obstacles for funding for older adults are a critical issue. Those still in the workforce may have the benefit of tuition reimbursement from their employers. Many older adults find financial concerns and the lack of funding to be major roadblock, especially for those switching professions in mid-life, nor are their many work study programs for older adults. The challenge for colleges, universities, and state government is to find funding sources for the older adult or risk losing a substantial market of talented labor force. Although financial aid programs for the older adult do exist, finding the information, resources, and strategies needed continue to be a challenge. The national statistics on enrollment rates of part-time and full-time students in two and four-year academic institutions use the age categories of under 18, 18 to 24, 25 to 29, 40, and over (U.S. Department of Education Statistics, April 2007). There is a lack of information on all adult students enrolled in non-credit courses, which includes many of the learning courses that draw older adults to college and university campuses. Education attainment affects older adult’s expectation of continuing to work and the likelihood of pursuing additional education. Those with at least some college are more likely to work past traditional retirement age as those without a high school diploma (Butrica, Schaner, & Zedewski, 2006). Fewer older minorities hold college degrees today only 14% of African Americans and 11% of Hispanics. This is in contrast to the 21% of non-Hispanic Whites. Older women today are better educated then in the past today almost 20% of women aged 55 and older hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Deciding to return to school requires a commitment and careful examination of the challenges that exist. Listing out the positives and the negatives and addressing any fears will assist the individual in making the right decisions. Seeking help from school counselors and student resources centers will also be a beneficial in the decision-making process. Education does not need to be out of reach. Scholarships, grants and financial aid are such excellent resources today for funding education. Making these resources easily accessible to everyone, many more people would pursue a college education. A college education may be expensive these days. With the global economy becoming extremely competitive many people need a higher education to compete. A college education should be thought of as an investment that will secure the students future. America needs to be an educated society to continue to be a global force in this economy, so we can continue to make a difference in the world and in the lives of people. Lakin, M. B., & Mullane, L. (2007, fall). Older Adults & Higher Education. Framing New Terrain:, 7-10, 19, 21, 23. American Council on Education, Reinvesting in the Third age; Older Adults and Higher Education. See www.acenet.edu/Clll Butricia, B.A., Schaner, S.G., & Zedlewski, S.R. (2006, May). Enjoying the golden work years. The retirement project: Perspectives on productive aging. See www.urban.org/publications U.S. Department of Education, National Center of Education Statistics, 2007. See www.nces.ed.gov