Degree Completion: Removing Barriers to Career Success

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - EducationBy: Annette R. Uncangco, MS
Director of Career Services Training, DeVry University

Earning a bachelor’s degree can be an important step toward achieving career success. Less than five percent of bachelor’s degree-holders over the age of 25 are unemployed, compared to a national unemployment rate that is nearly nine percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Despite the benefits of earning a degree, many students do not complete the process due to perceived barriers, such as a full-time job, family commitments or worries about achieving a balance between their personal and professional lives.

Others choose to enter the workforce without a degree because they are eager to start a career and make money. Although these professionals may think they are getting a “head start,” many of them will find that peers who completed their degrees have quickly caught up with them professionally and are better equipped to achieve longevity and advancement in their career.

Regardless of how long you have been out of the classroom, earning an education helps to ensure a competitive edge in the job market. There are many reasons to re-commit to education and earn a degree. Here are some of the most compelling:

Open doors to your future.
A bachelor’s degree could be the ticket to a new career or a stepping stone to advancement in your current field. By completing your degree, you will master a skill set and possibly uncover hidden strengths.

Increase your salary.
There is no better way to break the proverbial glass ceiling and boost your salary than to earn a degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that last year, full-time workers with college degrees earned 83 percent more than those with only a high school diploma.

Build your network.
Returning to school will help you meet new people, develop potential business partnerships and explore new avenues for career growth. The more people you have within your network, the greater likelihood you’ll learn about new trends and ideas that can help you grow personally and professionally.

There is a program that works for you.
People have different learning styles and needs when it comes to balancing education and everyday life. Whether you take classes online or on campus, as a full-time or part-time student, through an accelerated track or a more traditional program, you should know that many schools are committed to accommodating students’ busy schedules.

DeVry University, for example, offers flexible scheduling options that allow students to complete their education while balancing current job and family commitments. Going back to school can be a difficult choice that requires research and careful thought. However, advancements in education have helped to eliminate barriers that prevented many from being able to complete their education. Despite your past, it is never too late to invest in your future.

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