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The Top Reason to Finish Your Degree

By BJ Fairfax
Learning & Life Columnist
February 28, 2006

If you hit a wall on the path toward your professional dreams - or never found a fulfilling career path in the first place - finishing your college degree could be a step in the right direction. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employees with college degrees earned an average of $900/week in 2003, versus $554/week earned by those employees with only high-school diplomas. However, the key to your success will be finding a bachelor degree program that you're passionate about.

Choosing the Right Degree Program

First, you should consider the career you're aspiring to. For instance, if dream job is to run your own business, you'll want to pursue a business-related bachelor degree, such as marketing, communication, or management. If you want to write catchy slogans or design sleek logos, a degree in advertising or marketing will be the way to go. If you're unsure about which degree to pursue, you can do Internet research and talk to college counselors. There are even career aptitude tests that are available to help you find the right degree program and career path.

Benefits of an Online Bachelor Degree

The Internet has made the process of getting a college degree simpler than ever. Online degree programs are the ideal solution for people with full-time jobs or family commitments, who can't attend a traditional college campus.

If you begin to feel overwhelmed, just remember why you've decided to finish your college degree: better job, better salary, better life. The BLS reports that the unemployment rate for people with bachelor degrees was 3.3 percent in 2003 versus a 5.5-percent unemployment rate for people with high-school education only.

Never Work a Day in Your Life

But most important reason to finish your degree is getting a chance to do what you love. Earning a bachelor degree in a program that keeps you interested can mean the difference between 9-to-5 drudgery and truly satisfying work.

Sources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author
BJ Fairfax holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She writes for a variety of print and online publications.

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