The Best Investment. by Sarah

The Best Investment. by Sarah - April 2020 Scholarship Essay

I believe attending college is one of the most important decisions someone can make. College has many long term positive gains upon attending. Some major benefits of having a college degree include more choices when looking for a career, those that attend college earn more compared to someone that doesn’t have a degree, college can open many doors to success, and the most obvious, advance your education. Benjamin Franklin said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”. Education will continue to pay off for as long as you live.
I had the opportunity during my senior year to participate in an online class, Preparing for College. During this course I learned the opportunities college can give to those that attend. When looking for a career, college graduates have a greater chance of receiving a further interview or the job. Many career paths require a college degree in order to get an interview. Furthering your education will also expand your career options.
Going to college and getting a degree will also help to get a higher paying job. The presence of a college degree alone allows a chance of receiving more pay for the same job as someone without a degree. According to Education Corner, “Studies show that college graduates earn significantly more money throughout their lifetime than those with only high school education. Bachelor's graduates earn an average of just over $50,000 a year”. Having a high paying career will make paying off the college debt less challenging.
Attending college is also an important decision to make because it can open many doors that will pay off forever. Going to college will allow you to further your education, learning from professionals in their field, study with classmates inspired by similar interests, and explore new opportunities opened through education. Furthering your education gives you the opportunity to become an expert on your choice of major, make lifelong friends, new experiences and memories.
My father was not given the opportunity to attend college. From high school, he went straight into the workforce. He now owns a small trailer repair company and has worked everyday since he was 16. Many people think owning a business must be a luxury and every man's dream. For my Dad, it is the opposite, and he is the hardest worker I know. Six days a week, seven hours a day, he works to ensure my family has everything we need. He loves what he does and in his younger years hoped to pass the business down to my brothers one day. My Dad now insists that they go to college to get an education, so they will never have to work as hard or as much as he does. My father's biggest regret is not attending college, and he won’t let my siblings or I make the same mistake.
Many people see college as a way to stay in debt for life, but it's just the opposite. The cost of college is worth every cent, and will continue to pay off for the rest of your life. Malcom X said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those that prepare for it today”. Preparing for tomorrow starts with attending college and never ends with the endless opportunities given by a degree.