The Top 4 Reasons the Workforce is Back in the Classroom

It’s generally understood that the more prestigious your degree, the more opportunity you have to advance your career. But this doesn’t just apply to corporate jobs and doctoral degrees, either. Over the last decade, a huge range of industries – ranging from technology to industrial to healthcare – are benefitting significantly from employees with workforce certifications and continuing education credentials.

These certifications can lead you to better pay, higher positions and more skills. But let’s face it: When so many are already immersed in a full-time career or have real-life commitments like raising a family, it’s hard to imagine squeezing in time for going to college. Not to mention paying for it. Like all things, you have to weigh the benefits, the risks and the rewards. Below are some ways continuing education can work for you:

1. Boost your earning potential - Earning a college degree is always a good goal to start. In fact, an associate’s degree from your local college can lead you to career fields that start out at about $42,000 per year, reaching over $60,000 per year by mid-career. But even adding a new skill or getting a certification – some attainable in just four weeks – can get you from 40 to 70 percent higher pay.
2. Get real, hands-on experience - A four-year university is right for some, but not others. In fact, research has shown that many students perform better and learn faster in smaller classrooms with applied training. Institutions like Del Mar College offer a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio and over 175 occupational fields leading to associate’s degrees and certificates.
3. Get an investment that won’t break the bank - It’s no secret that higher education can leave some students in crippling debt, often for decades after they’ve graduated. That’s why it’s important to choose a school that’s going to give you a higher return on your investment. For example, tuition at Del Mar College is about one-third the cost of tuition at area universities – and several financial aid options are available. So, if your goals are to increase your salary and gain skills to last a lifetime, the math pretty much works itself out.
4. More flexible classes than ever - If full-time classes aren’t the best option for you right now, that doesn’t have to hold you back. Community colleges are working harder to make higher education within reach for all students – from evening and online courses to bus transportation – so you can find the schedule that works for you.

Still thinking about it? Take charge of your own future in a few simple steps.