I Never Finished High School, and I Can't Get Ahead

The number of adult Americans who never finished high school is staggering: about 39 million Americans, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. In today's marketplace, what is the outlook for these Americans?

Income for adults without high school diplomas has dropped up to $8,000 over the past 20 years, while salaries for the college educated continue to rise. Education has become essential in today's competitive, information-based job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 80% of the fastest-growing jobs in the United States require some sort of education or training after high school. People without high school educations earn the least income and have the highest unemployment in the country, over 6%. The outlook doesn't seem promising for the millions of adult Americans without high school diplomas. What are the options?

The good news is that adults without high school diplomas can earn more money if they develop the critical skills taught in high school and get a credential that shows it. A GED graduate earns on average $9,000 more each year, and much more if they go on to higher education. The GED is the nationally accepted equivalent of a high school diploma, qualifying recipients for many jobs and for 95% of colleges. If a GED graduate pursues higher education at one of those career or technical colleges, community colleges, or universities, his or her earnings potential can go up even more. College graduates earn $26,000 more per year than people without high school degrees. That can mean upwards of a million extra dollars over the course of a full career.

How can a working adult with responsibilities earn a GED or beyond? Many adults have jobs, spouses, and children. As much as GED candidates want to better their situations, they need to pay rent and care for their families. Luckily, preparing for the GED is not as hard as they may think. Adult education is available throughout the U.S., through community colleges, adult education centers, workplace programs, and traditional test-preparation booklets.

For adult learners, the Internet also provides new options for training and education. Many online study programs are designed to meet the specific needs of adults with full-time jobs and families. Learners can prepare for the GED at home or anywhere they have access to a computer, at their own pace. Technologically driven GED preparation programs can provide innovative, entertaining, multimedia programs that cater to students who did not learn well in a traditional school environment.

The Internet offers a solution to people who have been trapped, with the responsibilities of a home and family and a job, without opportunities to get ahead. Because of its flexibility, programs like The GED Academy’s online GED prep program give adults the ability to schedule their own study time and study at home, at their own speed, without worrying about transportation or babysitters.

Getting a GED is a second chance for millions of Americans, and the Internet is offering new inroads to better jobs, college, and higher self-esteem.