The Manifestation of Contentment Within a College Degree by Jessica

The Manifestation of Contentment Within a College Degree by Jessica - April 2020 Scholarship Essay

Based on my research, higher education ensures a more financially rewarding future for a student. It has been proven that a college education is substantial in having a successful career. College graduates earn more on average than workers with only a high school diploma. In most occupations, a worker with a bachelor’s degree earns more in a week than a worker with just a high school diploma. The U.S. Department of Education found the average worker with a bachelor’s degree might earn one million dollars more in their lifetime than a worker without a postsecondary education. Another reason that attending college is important is because workers with a college degree are less likely to face unemployment. A college degree is commonly a requirement for a well-paying job. The unemployment rate for workers without a college degree is almost double that of those with a college degree.
Along with all the financial benefits of having a college degree, there are emotional benefits. College graduates are more likely to experience contentment with their occupation. A released Pew Research report found that 77% of workers with a post-graduate degree and 60% of workers with a bachelor’s degree believe their job gives them a sense of identity versus 38% of those with a high school diploma or less. Also, a greater percentage of workers with a college degree think of their job as a career than those without a degree.
Taking this in a different direction, attending college is beneficial on a social level, as well. In addition to the emotional benefits a college experience gives to a student, it can improve the lives of the friends and family around them. The research of the Lumina Foundation reports that 40% of adults with a bachelor’s degree are volunteers in their community compared to only 17% of high school graduates that do not have any college education. Also, almost three times more money was donated to charities by college degree holders than people without a postsecondary education. Adults with a college education are also 1.5 times more likely to continue to vote in local elections and more than twice as likely to take part in educational, community, and/or religious events and organizations.
I believe a college education is important for each and every person for multiple reasons. A student receives many advantages from a college education. The long-term financial prosperity along with the growth of emotional and social satisfaction manifested within a college experience can lead to contentment in one’s lifetime.