Stability and Independence by Clarissa

Stability and Independence by Clarissa - April 2020 Scholarship Essay

College is an opportunity to advance in education and discover viable career paths. Most careers require a degree, few do not. The best possible way to be prepared for the future is to take the right steps in the present. College is an important part of being prepared for the many curveballs of life. I believe receiving a college education can increase an individual’s value in the workforce, which often increases the odds of finding job stability. It can also build exceptional learning practices in early education, and prepare individuals for their desired career. In short obtaining a degree can ensure a secure future and a lasting career.
Not only does a degree ensure a stable future, it can also influence habits developed in earlier stages of education. Setting personal goals and exercising independence are important aspects of adulthood. Allowing ourselves to have inflated expectations can create more opportunities to be successful in high pressure environments. Working towards a college degree builds academic stamina and motivates students to push themselves in their high school careers. Even if college is not for all students it still provides a standard for learning and an objective for the future. A higher education is the basis of academic and extracurricular success. Without an end goal, completing high school becomes an unrewarded task . A lack of motivation can lead to dropping out of school all together. Without at least a GED there are not many opportunities for self supporting jobs. College provides an objective for young minds and can have a positive influence on students’ decisions for the future.
In addition to successful academic practices, college can promote successful academic characteristics, the experience also provides the opportunity for young adults to live in a ‘real world environment’ while also receiving aid from university staff. Campus life can provide additional programs and resources that are not available in other places. Many students can participate in work study programs that pertain to their specific major. Others join clubs and teams that allow them to build stamina and contribute to the community. There are also many social benefits to attending college. On average an individual will spend four years completing an undergraduate degree. In these four years students form connections and can often build contacts in their desired career pool. College displays many surface level advantages but if the experience is completed to its true extent there are countless opportunities awaiting each and every student.
Although most high schools voice the many benefits of a college degree, the experience is not always for everyone. Some students can’t afford to attend a university, while others simply don’t feel that a degree is necessary for their particular career path. While this may be true, in actuality the job force is constantly changing. Nearly 100 years ago most available jobs didn’t require a two-year degree, many didn’t even demand a high school diploma. Presently there may be more than a few jobs that don’t require a degree however, it is possible those same jobs may change their requirements within the next 10-20 years. As of today, only 36% of jobs in the U.S don’t require some sort of college education, according to Georgetown University’s Recovery: Job Growth and Education Requirements Through 2020. This number may continue to decrease as the market pursues change. Therefore, statistically the safest way to ensure job stability throughout a career is to obtain a college degree.
Higher education opens doors to different careers, financial opportunities, and allows students to push themselves toward academic success. College provides stability in the job force and can even create opportunities to build connections within your desired field. All of these aspects compile into why a college education is important to me, and why I hope it is important to others. The best course of action in any situation is to be prepared. Obtaining a college degree is one of the most effective ways to provide a steady and successful career. A college education is one of the most important steps in creating a solid foundation as a newly independent young adult.