The ultimate target of good education is to ensure a good job. This is instilled into us from the early stages of our lives. We know that without a good education it will be difficult, if not impossible, to move forward in life. Those responsible to guide and mentor us in all our formative years teach us to study hard and succeed in academics so that when we grow up we are able to land prestigious and well-paying jobs.
When Does The Job Hunt Begin?
What is the level of education that one needs to acquire before seeking a job? Should it be after graduating from high school or is a college degree essential before seeking employment?
Looking at some of the statistics that are pertinent to the issue, we find that less than 43 percent of students complete high school – out of which only about half enroll in college. This data pertains to the year 2003 and 2004 as reported by the National Center for Education.
Many Jobseekers Do Not Possess a College Degree
Considering the data above, it becomes apparent that a big portion of job hunters do not have a college degree. Therefore, the fact is that a good job can be had without a college degree.
When a candidate has the knowledge, skills and the right attitude and drive to excel, there is no dearth of opportunities to land good jobs.
What Is A Good Job?
Usually, the answer most people would give is that a good job is one that carries a fat salary and moves you high into the social bracket. However, this is not the right answer for describing a “good job”. In reality, a good job is one that you find pleasure and delight in going to each working day of your life.
Applying these standards, numerous jobseekers may be holding “good jobs”. The inevitable result is dissatisfied individuals who harbor a deep sense of disillusionment, even if they are able to get good salaries.
In reality, job satisfaction comes from doing a job that is in line with your passion in life, something you seriously believe in – and not the salary that it gets you. Therefore, the main criteria in selecting a job should be looking at what you enjoy doing and what you make in terms of money, rather than going for something that pays well and trying to force yourself into liking it.
The Advantage of College Education
The decision to go through college is a personal one – and honestly speaking, college education does open up avenues of high-end, knowledge-based employment, and is certainly desirable for anyone seeking to be intellectually empowered.
The real point here is that even without a college degree, there are plenty of jobs available that can allow a person to pursue a very fulfilling and satisfying career.
Deciding What You Want To Do
With so much competition and a plethora of jobs on the scene, it becomes very difficult to decide which way to go if you have not devoted time from your early years towards selecting the career you would like to pursue.
If you find this difficult, then you should complete a career assessment to determine what careers would fit with your personal characteristics and motivations. An employment counselor can also be of great help.
By: Tony Jacowski
Posts Tagged ‘Seeking Employment’
Getting A Job Without A College Degree
January 24th, 2010The Benefits Of Student Jobs
October 29th, 2009It is a common occurrence for students to have jobs while working toward graduating college. Many have realized with the consistent increase in college tuition, jobs are the only way to afford postsecondary educations.
Holding down a job while enrolled in college can be very stressful for a student. College departments that offer student jobs tend to have a better understanding of the academic demands that are placed on the students that they hire. Since many of the college departments only hire for part time help, it is not hard for them to work around their schedules. Other employers, that are not part of the college environment, may not be as willing to work around class schedules.
Finding student jobs on campus can be beneficial. Students, who are able to help run the campus, are more likely to adjust to college life.. Jobs on campus are a great way for students to meet other students and get to know their peers and professors. Campus jobs are usually offered in many areas like the bookstore, cafeteria, and several administrative offices.
At most universities nationwide, those working student jobs account for nearly 25% of the universities non-professional staffing. Staff members hold important positions that contribute to the overall success of the universities.
Despite all the stress and grief that employment can cause to some, seeking employment during the academic school semesters may be inevitable. With the raising cost of college tuition, many students are finding that federal financial aid and or student loans are not capable of covering all tuition related expenses. For those that are able to get a free ride, employment is needed to cover the cost of expensive college textbooks and a little extra spending money.
It may seem that the more hours jobs take out of the students weekly schedules, the worse students will do in their classes. Studies have shown that this is not the case at all. It has been observed through several studies that students who are employed do as well and in some cases better than those who are not working jobs. The same studies found that grades tend to improve the more hours a student works during a week, but the improvement levels off if one works more than 20 hours per week.
Students who are employed during schooling are not only more likely to receive better grades, but are more likely to complete a degree program than their non working peers. Also, jobs are beneficial after graduation. When an employment position comes down to several candidates with the same educational qualifications, employers are more inclined to hire the graduate who has work place experience. Having a job while attending college shows the potential employer that you are able to manage your time, stay organized, work hard, and multi-task.
Even if their jobs are unrelated to the students career path, they will still develop work related competencies and many work place skills that are transferable to any career sector.
Making the decision to work toward a college degree may be the most important step in securing a bright future. Working, while attending college, may also be a step in the right direction. Remember whether its building good resumes, creating lists of good references, or learning important time management skills, student jobs are not only a source of money, but may be the main factor in getting great jobs after graduation.
By: Greg Shuey
