College Grads Income example essay topic

Aristotle once said, "The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet". Translation: Yes, studying every night until 11 PM for that big test when you could be out having fun with your friends or spending time with your family really stinks, but you will appreciate your education when it comes time to discuss your value as an employee to your boss. A college education is an investment. As with any investment, a college education takes time, planning and some sacrifice. But it is an investment that you will reap the rewards of for your entire life. People who have acquired a college education have better job opportunities, do more for society and develop skills and knowledge that can never be taken away.

Studies have shown that higher education unlocks doors to better opportunities in the workplace. College grads earn more money. In 1999, the median annual income of male high school graduates working full-time and year round was $33,184 and $23,061 for female full-time workers. The average 1999 incomes for full-time year-round workers with a bachelor's degree were $52,985 for men and $37,993 for women. This shows an increase of $19,801 for male college grads and $14,932 for female college grads per year. Also unlike many other investments, a college education does not depreciate in value.

These same studies show that a college grads income will rise significantly higher over the span of 40 years than someone who has never attended college (U.S. Department of Education, 1999). Graduating from college also has an impact on others around you and society as a whole. Another reason that a college education is valuable is because the value it holds with others. According to 2000 Census data, of the population of persons 25 years of age or older, only 23.9% had attained the level of Bachelor degree or above.

Of this population, studies have shown an increase in voting and volunteer work. This proves that, of the population of college graduates, a more positive effect on society exists than those without a college degree, per capita. Similarly, studies also point fewer convictions of crimes in comparison to those without a college education, proving college grads exhibit less negative effects on society (U.S. Census Bureau, 1999). Yet another interesting study shows that children of college grads typically follow in the footsteps of their parents by also attending college (U.S. Department of Education, 1999). This is especially important since society depends on its children to mold future societies and improve the world we live in. After all, I know that when I am old and can no longer work, I want someone with a college education managing my social security and fixed income.

How about you? Besides benefiting society, we also benefit ourselves by graduating from college. Graduating from college increases one's self-respect and is an accomplishment to be proud of. Completing such a goal is a major triumph in one's life and we can use this as a catalyst to accomplish other tasks in the future.

In my own life I can recall a time such as this when I served in the Marine Corps and how difficult it was for me. I remember a particularly difficult part of my training in which I had to complete a 25 mile hike in 8 hours with 75 lbs. of gear. We were in the desert and it was about 115 degrees outside, I had one water bottle left and about five miles to go. I told myself right then and there: "If I could get through this hell, I could accomplish anything". When I finally finished and arrived at our objective, I fell down and slept for a long time. Then, when I woke up and realized what I had done, I felt as if I had a renewed sense of self-image and truly believed there was nothing I could not accomplish physically.

I was on top of the world. I use that experience to help me get through times and keep me going when my body is telling me to give up. When I started this course, I knew that it was going to be hard and had reservations about how well I was going to do. As time went on and I started to complete my assignments and receive good marks, my confidence increased and my initial trepidations faded away. Now in week 5, I feel like all my fears have faded about school and I will use my experience in this class as a motivator for future classes. Would I consider this valuable?

You bet I would. The real journey, the 25-mile hike, is completing my degree program. Once I accomplish that it will be one of the most valuable things I have and nobody can take it away. I look forward to the struggle.

Bibliography

U.S. Department of Education. National Center for Educational Statistics. (1999).
Outcomes of Education. Retrieved September 29, 2003, from web U.
S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Census Bureau. (1999, March).
Educational Attainment in the United States. Retrieved September 29, 2003, from web.