When the job becomes tedious, it may be time for a career change. The question becomes, is it worth it to pursue a Bachelor’s degree?
For every student the answer will be different. Creating a list of what is involved in earning the Bachelor’s degree, and what the anticipated career opportunities (as well as salary expectations) are, will help each student determine if higher education is the best course of action.
The following list contains several tips that potential students should consider to help answer this question for themselves:
* What degree is needed for the career of choice? – Those interested in a different career should investigate what kind of training or education the companies expect applicants and employees to have. Some careers will require Bachelor’s degrees, while others will require advanced degrees like a Master’s or a doctorate degree. And others may only require an Associate-level degree or certification. But students shouldn’t just look at the career they’re interested in pursuing now. They should also anticipate what education might be needed to help further that career. For example, is it better time management to immediately start off with earning a Master’s degree, or to find a job in the new career field and get some work experience first?
* What will be the overall cost of earning this degree? For each student the answer to this question will be different. Those who are already in the work environment will need to determine if they can maintain their workload while also taking on school work. This can result in a time cost. The cost of tuition is also of high importance, and each student will need to determine if scholarships, fellowships, or work benefits are available to help pay for school, or if loans are needed. If they are, students should also calculate how long it will take to pay off those loans, and how much of an income will be required to cover living and debt expenses.
* Is it worth the time? Bachelor’s degrees traditionally take a minimum of four years to complete. A Bachelor’s degree not only focuses on a specific field, but also provides additional coursework in other subjects to make a student well-rounded. There are many other degree options like an associate’s degree or certifications that take less time, but they do not typically include the additional background coursework. There are online university programs that provide students pursuing a bachelor’s degree some flexibility in how they manage their time while in school.
In addition, a bachelor’s degree is necessary before a student can pursue a higher degree like a master’s.
Making the decision to pursue a bachelor’s degree is a life-changing event, and students can make the best choice for themselves by carefully researching and considering the above mentioned factors.
Author Bio
Lizzie Wann is the Content Director for Bridgepoint Education. She oversees all website content and works closely with New Media, Career Services and Student Services for Ashford University.