The Purpose of Higher education 3
The Purpose of Higher Education
Samantha Patterson
English Composition
4/11/2015
Independence University
The Purpose of Higher Education What is the purpose of higher education? This question is the first thing that comes to a student’s mind. For me, there are several reasons to obtain a college degree. The purpose of higher education is to obtain a higher paying job, improve one’s social class, and gain essential life skills.
Obtaining a higher paying job is one of the biggest reasons people pursue a higher education. Workers with a college degree earn significantly more that those without. For instance, college graduates ages 25 to 32 who were working full time now typically earn about $17,500 more than employed young adults with just a high school diploma ($45,000 vs. $28,000) (Yen, 2014). Currently, I earn minimum wage as a sales associate. After getting my degree in business management I should earn around $40,000 a year. That’s more than triple what I make now. This is one of the main reasons getting a college degree is very important to me.
Another reason getting a college degree is important to me is to improve my social class. Social class is a status hierarchy in which individuals and groups are classified on the basis of esteem and prestige acquired mainly through economic success and accumulation of wealth (Business Dictionary, 2014). There are four main social classes; Upper Class, Middle Class, Working Class and lower class. Members of the upper class are considered the wealthiest with the highest standing in the community. The working class earns a low income and achieve a low level of education. I am currently in the lower class. Members of the lower class earn either no income or very low income. People with a college degree earn more money than people without. Earning more money will help me achieve a higher social standing. College provides students with skills that are needed for specific careers.
Samantha Patterson
English Composition
4/11/2015
Independence University
The Purpose of Higher Education What is the purpose of higher education? This question is the first thing that comes to a student’s mind. For me, there are several reasons to obtain a college degree. The purpose of higher education is to obtain a higher paying job, improve one’s social class, and gain essential life skills.
Obtaining a higher paying job is one of the biggest reasons people pursue a higher education. Workers with a college degree earn significantly more that those without. For instance, college graduates ages 25 to 32 who were working full time now typically earn about $17,500 more than employed young adults with just a high school diploma ($45,000 vs. $28,000) (Yen, 2014). Currently, I earn minimum wage as a sales associate. After getting my degree in business management I should earn around $40,000 a year. That’s more than triple what I make now. This is one of the main reasons getting a college degree is very important to me.
Another reason getting a college degree is important to me is to improve my social class. Social class is a status hierarchy in which individuals and groups are classified on the basis of esteem and prestige acquired mainly through economic success and accumulation of wealth (Business Dictionary, 2014). There are four main social classes; Upper Class, Middle Class, Working Class and lower class. Members of the upper class are considered the wealthiest with the highest standing in the community. The working class earns a low income and achieve a low level of education. I am currently in the lower class. Members of the lower class earn either no income or very low income. People with a college degree earn more money than people without. Earning more money will help me achieve a higher social standing. College provides students with skills that are needed for specific careers.
References: Business Dictionary. (2014, April 08). Retrieved April 10, 2015, from Bussiness Dictionary: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/social-class.html Hoyt, E. (2013, October 01). Valuable Life Skills Learned in College. Retrieved April 10, 2015, from FastWeb: http://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/valuable-life-skills-learned-in-college Yen, H. (2014, February 11). Earnings Gap Between College And High School Grads Reaches Highest Point In 48 Yearsl. Retrieved April 10, 2015, from Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/11/earnings-gap-college-grads-high-school_n_4768780.html