Going Back to College
My Reasons for Attending College
College is many things to many people. For some it is a time for fun and socialization. For others, it is a time for personal and professional development. In my case, (a husband, a father, and a proud member of the U.S. Navy) college represented an opportunity for both personal and professional development. The purpose of this narrative essay is to examine my decision to earn a college degree, specifically examining my three main reasons (higher earning potential, increased marketability, and development of my critical thinking skills) for deciding to enter college in pursuit of a college degree. My first reason to attend college was the higher earning potential associated with having a college degree. Simply put, by obtaining a college degree, I will likely to earn more money throughout over the course of my professional career than if I only possess a high school diploma. According to the United States Census Bureau, the difference in median salary over the course a lifetime between a holder of a high school diploma and a holder of a bachelor’s degree is several hundred thousand dollars. It is estimated that my lifetime earnings will exceed $2 million once I attain my bachelor’s degree, which is a substantial amount of money (College Atlas, 2014). Furthermore, even if I do not finish my undergraduate work, it is estimated I would still earn approximately $1.5 million over the course of my lifetime (College Atlas, 2014). I like many believe the cost of a four year college education is well worth it considering how much money I will likely earn over the course of my lifetime. My second reason for attending college was the increased marketability associated with having a college degree. It was quite clear to me that possessing a college degree would qualify me for far more jobs than if I only had a high school diploma. In today’s high tech world, employers are looking for the best and the brightest talent
College is many things to many people. For some it is a time for fun and socialization. For others, it is a time for personal and professional development. In my case, (a husband, a father, and a proud member of the U.S. Navy) college represented an opportunity for both personal and professional development. The purpose of this narrative essay is to examine my decision to earn a college degree, specifically examining my three main reasons (higher earning potential, increased marketability, and development of my critical thinking skills) for deciding to enter college in pursuit of a college degree. My first reason to attend college was the higher earning potential associated with having a college degree. Simply put, by obtaining a college degree, I will likely to earn more money throughout over the course of my professional career than if I only possess a high school diploma. According to the United States Census Bureau, the difference in median salary over the course a lifetime between a holder of a high school diploma and a holder of a bachelor’s degree is several hundred thousand dollars. It is estimated that my lifetime earnings will exceed $2 million once I attain my bachelor’s degree, which is a substantial amount of money (College Atlas, 2014). Furthermore, even if I do not finish my undergraduate work, it is estimated I would still earn approximately $1.5 million over the course of my lifetime (College Atlas, 2014). I like many believe the cost of a four year college education is well worth it considering how much money I will likely earn over the course of my lifetime. My second reason for attending college was the increased marketability associated with having a college degree. It was quite clear to me that possessing a college degree would qualify me for far more jobs than if I only had a high school diploma. In today’s high tech world, employers are looking for the best and the brightest talent