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There was once a time when only the most privileged individuals had access to university-level education. And these individuals were the ones who mainly ended up with pretty successful careers. However, that is no longer the case. Today, many students enroll in universities and colleges, given the availability of various learning platforms. Remarkable technological advancements of our era are leading to newer teaching methods and techniques and increased awareness. A recent study concluded that almost 19.6 million students attended college in the fall of 2019.
The world will keep becoming increasingly competitive as time progresses. It is your responsibility to find ways to reach the top. Higher education will give you an edge over others and help you remain relevant in your considered field.
Below, we have mentioned a few convincing career benefits that come with pursuing higher education.
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Job opportunities
Did you know that college graduates are roughly 57% more likely to get jobs than non-college graduates? Not only that, but several studies reported that college graduates earn approximately twice as much as high school graduates and 70% more than someone with an incomplete college education. These statistics shouldn’t be surprising, especially given higher education’s increased importance over the past few years.
Let’s further explain with an example. Suppose there are two pediatricians. One with a background of PALS courses, strong recommendations, and extensive education. While the other has minimal expertise and little experience. There’s quite a high probability that most employers will choose the former candidate simply because their education level makes them seem better equipped for the position.
Experts believe that college or university exposure is essential for individuals to prosper in this competitive environment. You attain knowledge and learn skills that are beyond the scope of the high school curriculum. College education not only expands your access to more career opportunities but also gives you a chance to form meaningful relationships with your colleagues, professors, and mentors. And this is the specific reason why an increasing number of employers and managers now prefer candidates with a minimum bachelor’s degree.
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Soft skills
People often undermine the value of developing soft skills. When in reality, soft skills are highly crucial for a successful career. Soft skills lead to increased productivity, better output, enhanced teamwork, and improved employee morale. There is better consistency in the work environment, reduced turnover rates, and more effective time management.
One of the essential advantages of pursuing higher education is that it helps build a students’ soft skillset. In college, students learn the importance of communication, feedback, positive relationships, and observations. All of which are significant factors that foster skill development within individuals.
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Career specialization
If you carried out a study, you’d find out that a significant number of people are unsure about which field they want to join. Expecting high school students to know what they want to specialize in is absurd. As mentioned above, high school students grow with pretty limited exposure. Most don’t even know what the world has to offer in terms of jobs and opportunities.
The purpose of higher education is to narrow down your interests and focus only on what you genuinely want to strive for in the future. Higher education improves your existing skills, fosters new skillsets, and prepares you for the world outside.
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Adjustments in the market
It is crucial to note that the job market is changing rapidly. Technology, healthcare, and education have become the fastest-growing sectors over the last decade. Advancements in technology and innovation are quickly increasing the demand for a more skilled labor force.
You must be wondering why technological changes require skilled individuals when it should be easing up work. Each technological innovation is highly complex, requiring thorough maintenance and a high level of understanding. Higher education will teach you how to benefit from technological innovations and how to cope with newer inventions. It will make you more capable of adapting to changes, which is more crucial given technological progress.
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Increased demand
As the need for college graduates keeps increasing, your demand will continue rising.
There is a shortage of labor force worldwide. The reasons behind a deficit could be several such as lack of resources or retention strategies. Irrespective of the reason, it doesn’t help the case of the need for more workers. Studies confirm that almost 35 percent of job openings in the future will require a bachelor’s degree.
It would help if you remembered that employers today are always on the hunt for competitive and keen individuals. A college degree will surely be a significant step towards landing lucrative jobs.
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Confidence
Confidence is a critical factor in every field of work. It is a clear portrayal of your strengths and weaknesses. When you are confident about your actions, you become more resilient. Your communication improves, and you can express your ideas more freely. You work your best even under stress, influence others, and exude a more positive attitude. But most importantly, confidence makes you feel valued. It makes you happier, more content, and productive.
Universities play a significant role in boosting your confidence. The continuous presentations, site visits, case study analysis, tests, etc. pushes you to speak up, share your opinion, ask questions, and be assertive. Earning a degree is a tremendous achievement. It is a big step that makes you feel accomplished.
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Personal development
We all know that professional growth is a vital component of career advancement. However, it alone can’t do much. To be entirely successful, you must also focus on your personal development.
Attending college helps you gain several skills, many of which contribute to your personal development. Strict deadlines and tight workloads force you to become more productive. Higher education improves your communication skills, raises your self-esteem, and makes you more disciplined. Students can also identify new skills, many of which they hadn’t even thought of in high school.
Conclusion
Your career can benefit tremendously from higher education. The benefits mentioned above are a small part of the big picture. There are several more advantages of pursuing higher education.
However, people argue that higher education is inaccessible and unaffordable for many. While it is true, there are now various alternatives to traditional education available in the market. Online degree is one of them. It’s available in abundance and is relatively inexpensive compared to conventional schools.
