4 Reasons Why You Should Finish Your Degree
Are you an adult learner thinking about going back to finish your degree? If so, you’re not alone.
Adult learners, defined as those over the age of 25, make up about 6.6 million of those enrolled in college. That’s nearly 40% of those people enrolled in higher education.
Finishing your degree while balancing life can be a challenge. With other obligations like work and kids, finding time for studies can be a learning experience in itself. You may feel tempted to give up at times. Despite the challenges of being an adult learner, there are many reasons to continue working toward your degree. An unfinished degree will lead to regrets years down the line, and you may face more hurdles when advancing your career.
1) A bachelor’s degree will diversify your skill sets.
You may find that your current skill set is no longer taking you where you want to go, especially if you’re seeking to advance your career. With recent technology changes, it’s nearly impossible to compete unless you diversify your skill sets.
Finishing your degree helps you learn new skills that you can parlay into more career opportunities. As a person with work experience under your belt, you have an added advantage over your more traditional degree-seeking peers. Since you know where your career path is taking you, you can choose to learn specific skills you know you will need to advance. You don’t have to study more general subjects that may not apply to your line of work.
Our economy is becoming more global, and your skills will become outdated if they aren’t already. You will find this is especially true if you’re in the technology industry, where younger, more skilled workers are plenty. To continue to progress in your field, you must add to your knowledge base and skillset. Acquiring new certifications or degrees helps you make yourself more competitive.
2) A degree offers a good return on investment.
Many people didn’t finish college when they were younger due to financial issues. It’s pretty standard for adults to hold off college until they can save to afford it. The choice isn’t one without merit. Americans are currently $1 trillion in the hole due to student loan debt. And many cannot afford to pay it back. Additionally, younger undergrads also tend not to know what they want to study. Meaning they could waste thousands of dollars on a major only to discover their passions lay elsewhere.
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This and more pushes many individuals into putting off college until 3-5 years later. Adult learners have an advantage. More often than not, they have figured out what they want to do. They’ve had time to think about their passions, plus they have a little life experience under their belt too. Adding a bachelor’s degree to their years of experience can be a game-changer for these individuals.
It’s proven that workers who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher earn considerably more throughout their lifetimes than those who don’t. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people who have at least a bachelor’s degree earn an average weekly paycheck of $1,053, versus $638 for those with only a high school diploma. Not only that, you’re less likely to experience prolonged bouts of unemployment.
3) A bachelor’s degree offers new career opportunities.
It’s not uncommon for adults to feel a little burnt out after years in their industry. You may want to start a new business or switch careers. If you’re thinking about starting something new or going on a different career path, a bachelor’s degree may be just what you need.
Today’s generation is all about the idea of pursuing your passion. Much unlike the message of previous generations to just find a practical job, young adults these days are picking careers they can get excited about. And older adults are getting the message too. Many are turning away from stagnant jobs to vibrant careers that align with their lives’ calling.
Usually, making such a huge switch requires training. Going into a new career in a different industry is no easy feat. Many adults are choosing to get a degree to make the transition that much easier.
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4) Your degree journey will boost your personal growth.
Maybe for you getting your degree is more about finishing what you started than it is about money. There are many reasons people have had to put off college and enter the workforce early. Maybe academic issues, a growing family, or health issues halted your studies previously. Whatever the reason, you left with a handful of credits and no degree.
For you, going back and finishing your degree can be highly satisfying. It can help you feel confident at work, increase your self-worth, and set an example for your children. Not the mention the number of doors a degree will open for you as far as career opportunities.
Wrapping Up
The bottom line is that education offers adult learners opportunities that have never before existed. Online education makes getting your degree 100% over the internet possible. Since you can finish your degree from the comfort of your home, you no longer have to remain dissatisfied with a stagnant career. There is a bevy of options available to adult learners, including the testing out of general education courses. Using test-out options, you can finish your degree in half of the time! And Smarter with Achieve can help.
Finish Your Degree with Smarter with Achieve
What’s your reason for finishing your degree? Whatever your motivations, Smarter with Achieve will walk you through every step of the way.
Smarter with Achieve is an exam guidance company that offers adult learners a faster and more convenient way to finish their degree. We offer flexible day, evening, and night courses. Plus, no term papers, quizzes, or assignments. We prep you to pass CLEP exams for college credits so you can finish faster and get on with the rest of your life and career.