According to the firm, Eduventures, nearly half of adults learners in a 1,500 person survey believe that the value of an education has increased because of the economic crisis. While there are still the super-smart and talented exceptions to this rule like Bill Gates, most of us are going to benefit greatly from a college degree in this new economy.
Adults are not only competing with younger grads who have undergraduate and often graduate degrees, they are competing in many cases for jobs with people from other countries. The knowledge and skill-base required is definitely greater than a decade ago and will likely become more intense as time goes on. If you are an adult and you are thinking about going back to school while keeping your job, remember that whatever outlay you invest will likely be paid back because your earning potential is likely to be so much higher over the course of your career than if you forego the degree and stay in the ranks of the minimum-wage jobs.
If you’ve taken a hard look at your situation and you feel you really can’t go back right now, learn as much as you can at your current job and set your sites on being the most valuable contributor that you can be. If you aren’t working, but you are looking for a job, then volunteer where you can develop the same critical workplace success skills. When this tough economic time passes, which it inevitably will, set your sites back on getting your degree. There are many programs which will allow this to take place in your own time.
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ARTICLE:
Chronicles of Higher Education
by Eric Hoover
Nearly half of adult students believe the value of education has increased over the last year due to the economic crisis, according to a survey released this week by Eduventures Inc., an education-consulting firm.
Twenty-five percent of respondents said the value had not changed significantly. And only 20 percent said the value of additional education had decreased, meaning that they believed it was less likely to earn them a raise or better job.
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