The College Degree Advantage

In today's society it is a common knowledge that you must obtain a post-secondary education, whether you are working in an office, outdoors with the environment, in a factory or somewhere else all together. But what are the specific advantages associated with a college degree and where can you take advantage of them? Let's take a closer look at the benefits of a college education.

One of the major advantages of a college degree comes in an economic form. There are many statistics, which prove that college-educated graduates make more money than those with a high school diploma. These statistics also indicate that the rate of return on an investment in higher education is significant enough to validate the financial burden that may come as a result of pursuing a college degree. According to the Census Bureau, individuals who have a bachelor's degree earn around $2.1-million throughout their working adult life, while high school graduates earn an average of $1.2-million. Taking a closer look at weekly earnings brings the life-span numbers into more perspective. In winter 2004-05, the US Department of Labor reported that in 2003, workers who had a bachelors degree had a median weekly earnings of $900, compared with $554 a week for high school graduates. That's a 62 per cent jump in median earnings. These figures are a bold statement that the advantage of a college degree is its increased earning power.

Job seekers will also find that the career availability is also affected by a college degree. In previous generations there were many levels of jobs that could be obtained without a college education. However, those jobs simply don't exist anymore. With technological advances, it is simply not enough, for example, to learn a trade as an apprentice. Now you have to attend an apprenticeship program at a college that combines both theory and practical learning. Nowhere are the advantages of a college degree more significant than in scientific, manufacturing and engineering fields. College students can now study highly specialized science related degrees that apply directly to business settings.

One final advantage of a college degree is that students become aware of many subjects and fields that they never would have considered had they not gone to college. Students are required to take a variety of basic education courses such as math, science, literature and basic computer. In their elective courses, students might come across a topic in which they discover a talent or passion that will get them further ahead in the market. The other advantage of college elective courses is that students receive a well-rounded education, for which employers watch. Therefore, not only does a college degree enhance your resume, it also showcases how important general knowledge is to you.

So where can you find such an amazing education? Centennial College in Toronto, Ont. is an ideal place. With more than 200 programs ranging from health, engineering and technology to humanities, hospitality and automotive studies, the possibilities are endless. Centennial College is actually the first community college to be founded in Ontario. Therefore, it has a rich history and many affiliations that students will find advantageous. With many networking opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities and practical learning mixed with theory, it is a great place to discover everything a college education has to offer.