7 Reasons to Consider Going Back to College

Are you considering going back to school? It can be a hard decision to make.

There are a lot of things to consider, both pros and cons.

To help you in your decision-making process, we’ve compiled the top 7 reasons you should consider going back to college.

Check them out below!

1. Make More Money

All your life, you’ve probably heard that a college degree will help you make more money. Well, guess what? It’s true!

In fact, one study found that college graduates make twice as much as high school graduates. In other words, it’s totally worth it.

If it seems like too big of a financial burden to go back to school, think of it this way. It’s an investment! It’s a cost today that will have a certain payback over a certain number of years.

You don’t want to be making an entry-level salary or hourly wage 20 years into your career. But without a degree, it may be much harder to advance.

In other words, career advancement is the number one reason for many people when thinking about going back to school.

2. Greater Job Security

Even if you’re happy with your current job situation, going back to college is still a great idea for future job security.

The data proves this. The unemployment rate for those who haven’t gone to school averages around 4.6%. For those with a bachelor’s degree, that rate is cut almost in half at only 2.5%.

So what this means is that having a degree decreases your chance of unemployment.

Furthering your education can also often make you more valuable to your current employer. With your increased knowledge and skills, you have more to offer.

Think about this. If your company has to lay off someone, they will probably keep the employee with greater education.

Another reason college is worth it is because of what it says about your character. Taking lots of classes, each with many assignments, tests, quizzes, and projects says a lot about you. If you can finish that, your employer sees that you follow through on what you start.

3. A Sense of Accomplishment: Another Perk of Going Back to College

This is another reason you should go back to school. When you finish your program, you can be proud of your work.

College is not for the faint of heart. With so many credits needed to graduate, it’s a large task. So when you finish, that is a very satisfying feeling!

Completing your degree is a great way to prove your worth to yourself and to remember your value. Many times, close loved ones will also celebrate your accomplishment with you, which feels wonderful as well.

4. A Shift in Direction

In today’s day and age, you don’t have to pick one career and stay on that path forever. If you aren’t happy with your current position, it’s okay to make a change.

In many cases, a college education is the perfect way to change your direction. Here are just a few reasons people have chosen to shift careers:

• Boredom in their current line of work
• Job loss
• Becoming an empty nester
• Death of a loved one
• Divorce
• Lack of growth in current industry

Whatever the case is in your situation, now’s a great time to start doing what you really want to be doing.

As you start in a new field, you might have a different background than many other professionals around you, but that’s okay! Employers will respect the work you put in to qualify yourself for a new career path.

5. Confidence

If you have ever felt consistently unconfident about being able to fulfill your job, you know how terrible that feels. Often times, this feeling stems from a lack of knowledge or understanding.

A college degree is a great way to have more confidence in your position. This is because having the education you need will give you the ability to perform your job better.

And you will leave your college program with improved skills that will help you stand a little taller as an expert in your field.

6. Set a Good Example

For all the parents out there, this is for you. If you have teenagers, it’s likely you have encouraged them to pursue a college degree after high school.

Well, if you don’t have a degree yourself, you might have realized that it can be hard for your kids to take you seriously. In other words, you haven’t exactly practiced what you’ve been preaching.

But don’t worry. Going back to college and finishing your degree is a great way to show your loved ones the importance of education. This can often have a rippling effect, helping to motivate them to also get a degree.

Another side of this is if none of your family has ever been to college. Being a first-generation college student can be hard since you don’t have any family members to turn to for advice, but it’s totally possible!

And you never know the power of your example. You getting a degree may inspire your parents, siblings, or other family members to attend college. If you have young kids or plan on having a family in the future, your example of being a first-generation college student will have a large impact on them as well.

7. Networking Potential

If you’re looking to further your career or switch industries, it can be hard to do it if you don’t have any connections. That’s where networking comes in.

Going back to college will provide you with lots of new social ties in the form of classmates, professors, and industry professionals. These relationships can develop into job opportunities.

Being in a college setting with other people whose interests align with yours is a perfect networking opportunity.

Last Thoughts

Now that you’ve read through these reasons you should consider going back to college, it’s time to make a plan.

Have questions? Feel free to contact us anytime.

Or check out our self-improvement blog for other self-help advice.