Back in November, I shared 3 tips on how to maximize the value of a college degree . As admissions season is in full swing and juniors realize that college is right around the corner, now is the perfect opportunity to dig deeper into what I meant by Tip # 1: Start thinking about what you want to do and Tip # 3: Know your degree.
From earning more money to higher life satisfaction and social outcomes, there is no denying that a college degree provides opportunities that would not otherwise be available. What is less clear is whether or not all degrees are created equal (hint: they are not), and what therefore is the real ROI of a college degree.
Recently the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University published What it’s Worth: The Value of College Majors to help consumers of education better understand the value of degrees by major. While it is helpful to know that median earnings for Early Childhood Education and Petroleum Engineer are $36,000 and $120,000 respectively and that the highest earnings for graduate degree holders are in STEM fields, how students can use this data strategically BEFORE THEY GO TO COLLEGE OR DECLARE A MAJOR is less clear. Not to mention that the report is super-dense: don’t believe me, click here.
Students wanting to maximize the value of a college degree should take the time to think DELIBERATELY and STRATEGICALLY about what they want to do after college.
“Does this mean that every high school student will go to college knowing exactly what they want to do?”
“No.”
However, it does mean that students can go to college with some sense of direction, and more importantly, as truly informed consumers of the valuable and expensive product they are investing in: a degree.
Previously, I suggested students start the exploratory process by learning about the connections between personality and career fit. A good start is understanding Myers-Briggs types and the Holland Career Test.
To truly understand the real-world implications of personality and career data, investing time and energy into basic career analyses is a worthy use of time. Hint: consider education, salary and outlook. By way of example, as a student and I recently worked through the data revealed in The Greenwood System 120™ summative report- included in most package offerings - she was able to not just narrow her career interests, but learned that all colleges she applies to must have a business school. As her college list became more strategic and personally relevant, this “a-ha” moment really paid off.
Understanding the value of that degree before it is earned seems not just smart, but essential.
For more information on how to combine unique abilities, interests, values, and personality traits to find the best career and college matches, please contact me at kathy@fineeducationalsoltions.com.
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