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Student
Star Student
Mr. Foster
English IV – Period 1
8 November 2015
College Bound
Since 1953, every United States president has earned at least a bachelor’s degree from a university (Strauss). While not every student aspires to become the chief executive, the statistic speaks loud and clear: the best minds in the country are shaped in college. In today’s ultra-competitive world, where even internships and entry-level positions require a degree, students cannot afford to pass up the opportunity to further their education. All students who graduate high school must go on to earn a college degree, or else their economic opportunities in life will be limited severely.
First and foremost, those who go to college will make much more money than those who don’t. A recent study conducted by Dr. Rachel Nieves, a professor of economics at Harvard and frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal, showed that “those who receive a college degree will make an average of one million more dollars in their lifetimes than those who do not.” Some may argue that many successful people have earned millions of dollars without the benefit of a college education; but there are outliers in any given scenario and exceptions to every rule. Despite the inevitable presence of these outliers, the data doesn’t lie.
But overall income is not the only factor. While those without a college degree will likely be working low-paying jobs, they will also lack basic employment opportunities. In addition to academic skills, the formation of social skills is a large part of the college experience. Those who do not possess social skills will struggle to make a positive impression in the job interviews that they do manage to get. Terry Manzea, CEO of the tech start-up Buyers Mind, said that “if I am not wowed by an interviewee’s relatability and social prowess, a second interview is out of the question. I only want to hire people who will represent my company in a positive manner.” This isn’t the case only at start-ups and high-paying corporate jobs. I used to be a manager at Peet’s Coffee, a retail company that started employees at under ten dollars per hour, and I wouldn’t hire anyone who lacked basic social skills.
In addition to strong social skills, college graduates also are likely to possess a superior work ethic to those who do not earn a degree. With unemployment at a recent low—5% according to the New York Times—competition will be high for the jobs that remain available. Only those who possess the drive and gumption to succeed—not to mention the ability to craft an attractive résumé and cover letter—will earn these jobs. A work ethic isn’t inherited; it is developed through years of hard work, which college just happens to provide.
But perhaps the most pressing reason to obtain a college degree is the fact that most employers now seek workers who have earned not only a bachelor’s but also a master’s degree. At Google, for example, 90% of the employees who earn more than $70,000 per year possess a degree higher than a bachelor’s (Drouet). Sadly, the master’s has become the new bachelor’s, and without first earning a bachelor’s degree, earning a master’s is impossible.
The reasons why going to college and earning a degree is beneficial are nearly endless. But strictly for financial purposes, going to college is a must. Those who do not earn a degree will be disadvantaged throughout the entirety of their lives, especially when it comes to landing and maintaining a job. In today’s dog-eat-dog world, one must take advantage of every opportunity available, and college is perhaps the biggest one.
Introduction:
Hook (an interesting fact, a bold statement, something that paints a picture in the mind of your reader, etc. Draw the reader in!) Background information to provide the reader with some context as to why you are writing this paper (do not say “I am writing this paper because…). Thesis statement that is clear, specific, and arguable.
Body paragraphs:
Transition words and sentences can either come at the end of the paragraph or the beginning of the new paragraph.
Conclusion:
Restate the central idea of your essay (the thesis) in new words; do not repeat yourself. Remind the reader why the argument you are making is so important. Provide a call to action or end with a final, ringing statement that will leave the reader fully convinced that your argument is valid and meaningful.