Leaving school after completing high school may seem soul-freeing. But with more jobs requiring excellent skills for a specific position, a college or higher education degree may be needed.
You may be able to have a job even without a degree, but entering into a higher position may be impossible. With a higher education degree, you’ll have an edge over someone who doesn’t have one.
Moreover, higher education can future-proof your career through the following:
1. Enhances Your Skills
If you think you don’t have any skill, then you’re mistaken. Being in a higher education program does not only let you grow academically, but it also brings out the best that you’ve got, or even hone your talent or skills to a higher level. Here are some of the skills that you can develop when you decide to enroll in a higher education program:
- Communication Skills -One of the many skills that higher education can develop is your ability to communicate with other people, whether through writing or speaking. Since you’ll be interacting with many people from different backgrounds, you’re more likely to improve dealing with them. This is essential in any workplace for you to survive.
- Critical Thinking - Whatever your course may be, you’ll meet problems that you have to solve, whether on your own or with a group. Because of this, you’re more likely to encounter similar issues that you may have to deal with in the future at your workplace. At such times, you’ll know what to do since you’ve already experienced it. But such skills can be better developed if encouraged by education. Therefore, entering into a university that you know requires more than thinking outside the box, you need to have a good admissions grade. For instance, the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank or ATAR is vital for Australian students entering a university. ATAR is an overall score or rating of graduating students’ performance in their final year in high school. The higher the rating is, the more opportunities are offered from universities. To calculate your ATAR, use the ATAR Calculator on Cluey Learning.
- Time Management -One of the best things that you’ll have to master when you’re in a workplace is your time management skills, especially when you have responsibilities outside work. The perfect learning arena of such skill is in a university or higher education institution. Whether you’re a full-time student or you’re balancing part-time jobs with your education, you’ll develop an effective way to balance your time.
2. Grows Your Social Network
Not only will you be able to socialize with different people, but you’re also growing your network when you continue your education towards college or by earning an MBA. In the future, a network is vital for your personal and professional growth.
When you have a large network, you can get a lot of ideas and knowledge useful for your development. Interacting with different people allows you to have varying perspectives. Your knowledge will also be expanded as you discuss opinions or feedback.
Moreover, with a wide network, you’ll be able to establish connections that might come handy in the future, which you may use for a partnership or even a referral.
To effectively grow your network while in college, you can do the following:
- Be Active- Sitting quietly in one corner during your major classes won’t do you any good. You should engage with your professors and classmates. Ask them questions, give them feedback or constructive criticism, or find ways to interact with them.
- Apply For An Internship- Whether you’ll get a job or not in the company you’ve interned in, you’ll probably build more connections with people who are already in the working field. But if you take your internship seriously, there’s a higher chance for you to get hired if you pursue employment.
- Connect In Social Media- Nowadays, social media platforms like LinkedIn are useful for connecting with professionals. You can connect with recent graduates or alumni of your university, who might give you relevant ideas on how to pass job interviews and the like. Or you can also connect with a company you prefer to work with. This way, you’ll get updates on job openings or about vital information you may use during an interview.
3. Promotion To a Higher Position
Earning a degree does not only boost your confidence, but it also increases your chances of being promoted to a higher position. According to statistics, 66.7% Australians aged between 20 and 64 years had attained a non-school qualification, which may make it difficult for them to be promoted to higher-ranking or leadership positions in their employment.
With a degree, you’re more likely to be chosen for managerial positions. It also gives you an edge over a non-degree holder when applying for a high-paying jobs or promotions.
Conclusion
If you think that going to college or any other higher education institution is costly, then think again. Having to spend money in order for you to earn a degree helps you more in the future. There will be more job opportunities that you can apply for compared to when you don’t have a degree. Therefore, continuing your education is a must if you want to secure your future.