More and more adult students are enrolling in college degree programs because higher education can lead to higher-paying jobs, allow for career advancement, provide training in a highly employable field, and afford the opportunity for a career change. Going back to college is becoming a very attractive option for many adults over the age of 25 who did not enroll in college right after high school graduation. Some got married right out of high school, some went into the workforce and some into the military. Regardless of what you did after high school, now that you are older (and wiser), you probably realize the opportunities for bettering yourself and exploring new options are endless.
Why Go Back to School At My Age?
Obtaining a college degree will often lead to opportunities such as earning a higher salary, moving up the "corporate ladder," and gaining knowledge and training in fields that will make your skill set more appealing to prospective employers. Here are even more reasons adults are pursuing college degrees in their 30's, 40's and even 50's:
• Open your own business-- Lots of people have the dream of starting their own business. If you want to own your own business, obtaining a degree is a great place to start. A Business Administration Degree (B.S.) or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) will provide a foundation of business principles and strategies to allow you to venture out there and see what opportunities are within your reach.
• Gain a competitive advantage in the job market--More education means more skills, and more skills mean greater employability. Obtaining a degree in a highly sought-after field like Computer Science or Criminal Justice will allow you to pursue a career in an area that currently has more demand than supply.
• Change careers--A degree may allow you the opportunity to change careers altogether. If you have always dreamed of being a Licensed Professional Counselor but are now an office worker, now is the time to pursue that dream!
• Desire to go back to work--Many stay-at-home parents whose children are now grown want to obtain the college degree they never had time for when their children were young. Statistically speaking, most adult students are women and many of them spent years raising a family and now want to pursue their own career desires.
Adults Enrolling in College--Startling Statistics-
If you're thinking about returning to school to earn your degree, you're not alone. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the ten-year period from 1999-2009, enrollment in "degree-granting postsecondary institutions" increased 38%, from 14copy to a staggering 20.4 million. Most of this growth was attributed to full-time students (enrollment rose 45%) compared to part-time enrollment (enrollment rose 28%). What is even more amazing is that the number of women who have enrolled in degree programs was much higher, the number of full time male students increased 36% while women who enrolled in degree programs increased a whopping 63% in that same 10 year period.
Regardless of your reason, going back to college is an exciting, challenging and courageous undertaking. Since there are so many scholarships available for adults and for online degree programs, the opportunity to return to school for that degree doesn't have to be a dream any longer - it can become a reality!
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Susan Haubrich has some interesting statistics regarding that number of adults that are going back to school to get their degrees. To help reduce the strain of returning to college, Colorado Christian University offers a variety of adult scholarships. Visit http://www.ccu.edu/blogs/cags/category/degree-completion-programs/ if you are going back to school as an adult.
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