Going to college for a bachelor's degree will require four
(or more) years of hard work on your part, in addition to a large financial
commitment. For all this you had better
get something good, right?
Here's what you expect to get from your college education:
- Career opportunities. Earning a bachelor's degree can help you get the job you want. Having a four-year degree is more important in some fields than in others, but in general holding a bachelor's degree means you have more career opportunities. And you don't have to stay in the field you major in forever; many people make career shifts down the road, and the broad-based education they received in college helps them to do this.
- More money. You hear this a lot, but it's generally true—college graduates, on average, earn higher salaries than individuals who only completed secondary education (called high school in the United States).
- Knowledge. You will have the opportunity to learn about dozens of subjects. Most colleges and universities will have a core curriculum that all students must complete; this will include courses from diverse fields such as history, math, and foreign languages. After completing the core curriculum, you'll spend a lot of your time in classes related to your major. But there should still be room left for you to take a few classes in areas you'd like to explore—perhaps particle physics or music theory.
- Skills. The discipline required to succeed in college courses will serve you well in the future. As an undergraduate student, you'll learn that it's your responsibility to get to class, and if you don't go you'll learn about the consequences of failing to meet your commitments. College courses will also teach you how to grasp complex theories and concepts and how to express yourself clearly in writing. All of these skills will benefit you in your professional life.
