Never Too Old or Never Too Late to Get a College Degree
More and more jobs are requiring a college degree today and in the future according to research. This can present an obstacle or an opportunity depending on your perspective. Life and finances may be keeping you from getting a degree or from finishing your degree. If you are thinking about finishing or getting a bachelor’s the good news is that you will earn more money. It’s a fact that in 2009, men and women with a bachelor’s degree earn 58% more than those with a high school diploma.
According to the NCES, college enrollment continues to rise in all age categories, especially people over the age of 25. Between 2000 and 2009, college enrollment of students under 25 years old rose 27%, whereas the enrollment of students rose over 43%. Colleges and universities are changing to better accommodate older and returning students. Online courses and flexible scheduling are some of the newer accommodations. In some cases, colleges will accept work experience for college credits! Obtaining these college credits requires a certification process, however it can be well worth it to save you time and tuition.
Hot Degree Spotlight – Animation Degrees
Animation is not just for cartoons anymore. Movies, websites, software, corporate presentations, online advertising and many other animation venues are fueling growth in animation careers. While a majority of animators are employed by the motion picture and video industries, there are career opportunities in advertising, computer systems, software and specialized design services (bls.gov). According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Multimedia Artists and Animators make an average of $63,440 per year. To begin preparing for a career as an animator, a college degree is a must. Animation Degrees give you the design skills and technical training needed to be competitive.
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Other Related Degrees: Art & Design Degrees, Web Design Degree
Ways to Keep Down the Cost of College
Don’t let the cost of college scare you away from earning your degree. A college degree does payoff and if you keep costs down then the payoff can be even higher! Here are some ways that can help you keep the cost of a college degree down:
- Earn college credits while in high school by taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
- Start at a community college – make sure the community college is a “feeders” into good colleges and that ensure your college credits will transfer.
- Prepaid tuition programs that lock in current tuition and 529 college savings plans that increase at the same rate as tuition increases over time (Learn more about funding college)
- Financial aid, grants and scholarships – the time spent researching and applying can be worth it. (Learn more about financial aid and scholarships)
- Avoid credit cards, period.
- Rent text books at websites such as Chegg.
- Keep living expenses low: have roommates (or live at home?), inexpensive car, take online classes to avoid high gas prices,
- Avoid high-interest private student loans.
- If you are studying to be a teacher, you may qualify for loan assistance. (Learn more about teaching degrees and grants and financial assitance)
- Serve in AmeriCorps or other service plans that provide education awards that can be used to repay student loans. (Learn more about the Americorps education awards)
- Work if you need to pay expenses, as long as your job doesn’t interfere with your academics.
Don’t let the cost of college keep you away from your dream of having a college degree!
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The Ongoing College Degree Debate
Yes. A college degree can give you more earning power and job security. Studies have proven again and again that a college degree is better than not having one when it comes to financial success and your competitiveness in the market.
But let’s take a different look at the value of college at a more personal level. The college experience is like no other life experience. It can be enriching in so many ways: socially, financially, intellectually and emotionally. You’ll make lifelong friends. You may even find your husband or wife while attending college.
College gives you unforgettable experiences that you carry with you the rest of your life…not just the social ones, the academic experiences are very meaningful as well. First and foremost, the academic accomplishment of a college degree is paramount. However, we can’t discount the many other non-monetary benefits of a college degree.
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Hot College Degree Spotlight – Pharmacy Technician
A simple search on the job site Indeed.com resulted in more than 18,000 jobs available for pharmacy technicians! This is just on one job site. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth in employment of pharmacy technicians will be 31% over the next several years. This growth comes from an aging population who typically use more prescription drugs than younger workers.
Pharmacy Technicians can complete training and receive formal certification in as little as 6 months and as much as 2 years for additional training. Employers favor Pharmacy Techs who have received formal training. Career colleges offer pharmacy tech degrees on campus or online.
Some of the courses a student will take include drug regulations, pharmacy operations, drug information sources, label preparation, reading and interpreting directions on prescriptions, pre-Algebra, pharmacy math, pharmaceutical dispensing of many drug forms, how drugs work, drug reactions/interactions, compounding, medical terminology and more.
Once trained, Pharmacy Technicians assist Pharmacists with a variety of duties such as receiving prescription requests from patients, counting tablets, labeling drugs, managing inventory, prepare insurance forms, and other pharmacy related duties.
In as little as several months, a Pharmacy Tech can be employed quickly because of the high demand for these professionals. Pharmacy Technicians can make an average annual wage of $36,000.
Healthy Growth for Nursing and Other Health Degrees
If you are looking for a degree in a growing field, then a health related degree may be for you. Jobs in health care are some of the fastest growing according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ten of the top 20 fast growing occupations are in health care. The job growth rates are much higher than average, from 2008-2018, for the following occupations:
- Physician assistants – 41.3%
- Medical secretaries and administrative assistants – 26.5%
- Physicians and surgeons – 26%
- Registered nurses – 23.4%
- Counselors – 22.6%
- Licensed practical and vocational nurses 21.9%
- Medical billing and posting clerks – 19.7%
- Social workers – 19.5%
- Pharmacists – 14%
- Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians – 14%
If you want to get a fast start in health care, considered an associate’s degree Some fast-growing health related degrees can be completed in just two years include: dental hygienists, physical therapy assistants, radiation therapists, surgical techs, registered nurses (RNs), medical records and health info techs, and respiratory therapists. (BLS.gov)
According to AllHealthCare and BLS.gov, the top five high paying bachelor’s degrees in health care include:
- Physician’s Assistant – $74,890
- Medical and Health Services Manager – $73,660
- Registered Nurse (RN) – $60,010
- Health Educator – $53,000
- Clinical Laboratory Technician – $51,720
How to Make Sure College Pays Off
There is no debate that a college degree will give you more earning power, over not having one…the facts prove it. However, many students are wary of the growing costs of college. The potential of being saddled with large college loans is the biggest concern of students.
Rather than not pursuing the degree, why not set yourself up for success after college, before you graduate? There are many ways…some easy, some challenging…to ensure you are well positioned to land a great job that pays well so those college loans aren’t thought of as a burden, rather a smart investment.
- Choose a college degree wisely – Is the college degree in a growing field? Are you passionate about the area of study?
- Choose the right college – Is the college accredited? Does the college have the right courses to prepare you? Do you want to attend a college with a campus, or an online college, or a college that offers both campus courses and online courses?
- Keep college costs down – Take the time to make sure you find grants and scholarships. Stay away from high interests loans. Seek government sponsored college loans at lower interest rates. Buy used books or rent books. Create a budget and stick to it! Do you really need an expensive iPhone? Use a debit card instead of a credit card. If your grades are good, maybe try working part time.
- Try a college internship – Look into college internships to gain experience (and college credits and/or money) while in college. You’ll be coming out of college with some relevant experience so you may land a higher paying job than if you didn’t have the experience.
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