For years many have asked “What is the true purpose of obtaining a college degree?” For some the purpose may strictly be money while others seek to gain more with their degree. Everyone has their own opinion but for me the purpose of achieving a college degree is pursuing success through knowledge, opportunities and happiness.
Knowledge is defined as facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education — the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject. In a Mikhail Zinshteyn study called the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies Mikhail came to conclusion that a college degree confers core knowledge and adults without degrees are less likely to possess. (2) Adults without a degree are more likely to settle with less. For instance a while back I applied for a sales associate position in computing. Not really knowing much about computers in terms of software and hardware I continued working as a sales representative which eventually ended after I faced a few challenges. As for my coworkers who went to school and received their degree in computer programing they succeeded in work. It is highly recommended that one has the knowledge that can help them persevere. In the Article Do graduates use the skills and knowledge gained from their degree? PhD student Daria Luchinskaya states that some degrees do not give you the knowledge that can be applied in the labor market while others give useful, practical skills. (1) Any person can apply for an online college and gain the same knowledge that a student who attends to class learned, but what the online student doesn’t gain is the ability to apply his knowledge to practice. Having proper knowledge and putting it to use can open many doors of opportunities.
Holly Dalby states that those with a college level education are generally the ones that get the promotions and the opportunities that are just not available to those without a college degree. Additionally, expanding one’s skills set with a college degree can open doors to different aspects of one’s chosen career.(2) Most colleges and universities offer career placement services to current students and alumni. Also, some schools even offer continuing education benefits such as reduced tuition for yourself or family members. According to collegeatlas.org earning a college degree makes you more marketable in the work field. (1) Not only will healthcare be provided be provided but they will be looking forward to a better retirement matching, health saving account, tuition and travel reimbursement and free childcare. Finally, the benefit package is worth as much as an employee take home pay (3). These benefits are given to almost all employees, but employees with a degree are placed in a higher bracket in the work field and given more opportunities. With the knowledge obtained from your degree doors opened to many opportunities that lead to happiness.
According to leading happiness researcher Sonya Lyubomirsky happiness is defined as “the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile,” Happy lives are usually made up of both positive emotions and meaning fullness both of which contributes in the learning process and well-being. For example enjoyment of learning motivates one to continue wanting to learn as for boredom it only decreases motivation. When one is motivated to do something the closer they are to accomplishing the happier they end up being. Bryan Cohen, author of The Post-College Guide to Happiness, says” educational attainment can lead to some serious happiness”(3). Having a higher education gives people the chance to explore their passion. By using their educational experience they can pursue what they love to do.