The college experience. When people think of that term, they think of the freedom college gives for those who are 18-22 years old. They think of the old historic buildings, the academic classes, the opportunities for extracurricular activities. They think of sporting events and parties and ways to pursue the career path of their wildest dreams.
There are many though who, because of life’s circumstances, chose to get a job before graduating from college. They may be that administrative assistant with less than a bachelor’s degree completed. They may be a mechanic who chose to use their hands and craft to make money, opting not to attend a four-year college.
They may be the mother, who wants a good life for her and her family, but has to work to support them both and struggles to find time to pursue an education. They may be any one of us–friends and brothers and sisters–who struggle to find the time, fighting hard against the responsibilities given to them, in order to pay rent or buy groceries.
For them, a higher education may seem way out of reach. However, they couldn’t be further from the truth.
There are many statistics that show the value of a higher education. A 2012 Pew Research report showed that workers with a bachelor’s degree had a median annual earnings of $45,000, while those with some college had a median of $30,000 and those with high school had $28,000.
Not going to college will cost a person half a million dollars over the course of their lifetime, when you account for average additional wages, promotions, job opportunities, and so forth. In fact, Americans with a four year college degree earned 98% more in terms of wages than those without a college degree.
For those moms and dads, young adults, and older Americans, all who want to pursue a four year college degree but struggle with daily responsibilities such as working a full time job and taking care of children, just know that it is possible to get a degree. In fact, there are schools starting just to target adult learners.
One of the primary features of someone pursuing a degree as an adult with responsibilities is the ease of access. Many of these schools offer nighttime and weekend courses, which fit into the opening left from the person’s daytime responsibilities. There are many offerings for degrees. They include:
- A human development degree
- A psychology degree
- A master of business administration degree
- A human development and family studies degree
- A family studies degree
- A communications degree
- An interdisciplinary studies degree program
- A bachelors of arts in secondary education
- And many more
While it may seem difficult to juggle personal responsibilities, job related responsibilities, and educational responsibilities, it certainly is possible. Hard work, determination, managing time effectively…these can lead to a four-year college degree that sets you up for the future.
Education is important. Take the human development and family studies degree. A degree like that, which combines numerous academic disciplines such as anthropology, psychology, sociology, and more, can lead to numerous careers, such as working as a counselor, a family therapist, a researcher and more.
The human development and family studies degree will have many courses of course. But even if you’re still have doubts, know that college courses can be intellectually stimulating. They may be rigorous and hopefully they will be if you want to get a good degree and put it to use, they will open up doorways to new portals of knowledge.
For instance, that human development and family studies degree will open up your eyes to many disciplines, cause you to see the world in a new way, help bring understanding about particular issues to mind, and enable you to move forward to a fulfilling and breathtaking new career.
Getting that degree may be the goal in mind but taking that first step is critical. The first step is really your first goal. Think about motivation. Why are you looking to get a degree? Is it just to have more intellectual stimulation? Are you looking for more money? A fulfilling career?
With that in mind, think about what colleges would be a good fit for you and the degree you want. There may be one in your area that is particularly good for your needs.
