My Roadmap to Success

My Roadmap to Success Earning a college degree is a waste of time. Why would I dedicate my time and effort to a practice that will not guarantee results? I have stood by and watched so many of my friends graduate college, only to be hit in the face with a dose of reality – student loans, recession, and no experience. Here I am, no college degree, but because I have experience, I am considered valuable when interviewing for potential jobs. Fast forward five years. I am now trying to earn more money and gain a position within my career that will give me more responsibility. Employers are wowed by my resume and my demeanor, however, I'm still not qualified enough. There can only be one reason for this; I don't have a college degree. Because I am a person that constantly seeks growth, I have decided to go back to school. This decision has given me the confidence to move forward with pursuing my personal goals. I am certain that my degree from The University of Phoenix will help me accomplish my dreams of growing in my career, making more money, and self-gratification. I have been lucky in the caliber of jobs I have been able to obtain. Within a week a moving to Atlanta, I was offered a job in a Commercial Real Estate company that planted the seed for my career in Property Management. I stayed at the job for two and a half years before I landed a higher paying position as an Executive Assistant, which was still in the Commercial Real Estate field, but this time working with the Asset Manager. I was there for two and a half years before I landed the position that I believe will take me to the next level – Assistant Property Manager. The position that I'm in now typically requires a Bachelors Degree, but I was offered the position, with a strong nudge from the manager to move forward with acquiring my degree. I have my feet planted in a good position right now, but the degree will open doors for me that didn't exist before. A bachelor's degree coupled with the experience I am gaining will provide the bargaining tool I need to move from mid-level to upper-level management. As an upper-level manager, it is very important to be polished and able to speak to the public in an eloquent manner. Because the University of Phoenix is a school geared toward the working professional, it provides students the opportunity to hone their public speaking skills. My classes here will definitely provide the self-assurance I need to speak to strangers and peers with confidence. I know that earning my bachelor's degree will make me more marketable, thus increasing my earning potential. Secondly, I would be amiss if I didn't mention the monetary benefits I expect to receive after earning my degree. According to the Census Bureau, over an adult's working life, high school graduates earn an average of $1.2 million; associate's degree holders earn about $1.6 million; and bachelor's degree holders earn about $2.1 million (Day and Newburger, 2002). I was a bit taken aback at the cost of attending The University of Phoenix at first, but when you factor in the pay increase you will receive as a direct result of graduating, it becomes a win-win situation. A huge goal of mine is to be able to manage money more efficiently. With the pay increase I will receive over the span of my career, I will be able to have money left over after paying bills to save for emergencies as well as things I enjoy such as vacations. The fact that I will not have to live paycheck to paycheck will result in a better quality of life. I will be able to take care of myself and one day my family without struggling. These things are very important to me in my quest for a joyful life. Lastly, earning my bachelor's Degree will provide a sense of self-gratification. I went away to college right after high school. I dropped out after a year because I wasn't mature or focused enough on the benefits of receiving a degree. I continued to go to school part-time while working full-time. After a while, I became so content with my job, that I stopped attending college altogether. I always knew that the hiatus would be temporary. I've attended quite a few graduations and there is nothing more exhilarating than knowing that you worked hard on something and saw it through to completion. This is the feeling I hope to have within the next two years. Me walking across that stage will prove to myself as well as my employer that I am intelligent enough, determined enough and driven enough to reach any goal put before me.
In conclusion, the decision to go back to school was not an easy one. It will require a great deal of sacrifice, time and money. I am up for this challenge because the goals that I have set for myself are directly correlated to my obtaining this degree.