| ay's world, education is everything. In fact, according | | | | courses in a shorter amount of time. This can help |
| to the Democratic Leadership Council, college | | | | you get into your new occupation quicker so that |
| graduates make nearly twice what high school | | | | you earn a sustained living in your new occupation |
| graduates make, so there is an obvious correlation | | | | that much faster. |
| between how much education you have and how | | | | Another reason why you may want to go back to |
| much you will make. | | | | school is because your current occupation is being |
| Therefore, making more money than your current | | | | phased out, such as data entry, telephone operators, |
| salary is one important reason why you should really | | | | and fax machine operators. Companies are deciding |
| consider returning to school, especially if you don't | | | | to use cheaper labour from countries like India and |
| have a college degree yet. Making more money | | | | China to fill those positions. As a result, you have to |
| means enjoying a better lifestyle, which is what | | | | consider going into another occupation that will be |
| essentially everyone wants. | | | | around for the foreseeable future. |
| It may not take you all that long to increase your | | | | Careers in information technology, nursing, acting, |
| degree; alumni of the University of Phoenix claim to | | | | writing, designing, etc. will likely not be outsourced |
| have completed their Master's Degrees in about 12-15 | | | | anytime soon because these careers involve either a |
| months, despite their busy schedules. | | | | high level of a specialized skill, your direct physical |
| There are other reasons besides money why one | | | | presence, or both. A career that combines those two |
| should consider returning to school, including providing | | | | elements would be an ideal career for you to |
| more opportunities for you in your current career. | | | | consider to ensure that your occupation isn't |
| The more education you have, the more you will be | | | | outsourced. |
| recognized as an expert in your field. This can open | | | | Some people, especially those who are retired, |
| up more avenues of advancement for you, leading to | | | | decide to go back to school just to gain new |
| new opportunities, especially in terms of leadership, | | | | knowledge because they enjoy learning or just |
| such as a manager or even a partner in the company | | | | because they want to challenge themselves. You |
| you work for. | | | | often hear about 80 and 90-year old individuals |
| There may be a point in your life that you grow tired | | | | gaining their college degrees. It's not likely they are |
| of the occupation you are in. You dread each day | | | | going back into the work force at that age, but they |
| going to work, making it harder and harder for you | | | | want to just prove to themselves that they can still |
| to be productive. You know you can't continue in this | | | | learn and demonstrate their knowledge. It helps to |
| fashion. This is another good reason to go back to | | | | make them feel good about themselves and prove |
| school - to change your career. | | | | that age is not a deterrent to learning new |
| With accredited universities providing online courses | | | | knowledge. |
| and branch campuses away from their home campus, | | | | There are many reasons why 40% of today's |
| it's much more convenient to get a degree in a new | | | | college population is 25 years of age and older. |
| field than it was even 10 years ago. | | | | Whether it be for monetary reasons, personal |
| Some universities provide accelerated courses where | | | | knowledge, or a shift in careers, many "non-traditional |
| you can take a 4-6 hour class once a week, even on | | | | students" are returning to school in numbers never |
| Saturday mornings, in order to get through the | | | | seen before. |