It’s not easy going back to school with career, family and financial commitments. Sometimes it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day.

However, recent findings show that attaining your degree as a working adult is not only preferred — it’s a necessity.

• 2018: In greater Sacramento, over 200,000 working age adults (25-64) have some college, but no degree
• 2020: Two-thirds of all jobs in the U.S. will require a postsecondary degree
• 2025: California will face a shortage of one million college-educated workers

Finishing What You Started

The road to degree attainment may seem daunting at first, but is easier and more affordable than you may think. Finishing your degree will position you for increased income, more career opportunities, a better life for your family and provides enormous personal satisfaction.

If you’re worried about returning to school at this point in your life, just remember: you are not alone. In fact, 74% percent of college students fit under the nontraditional student umbrella (source: NCES). Once you begin taking classes, you’ll realize the strength you have in numbers as an empowered adult learner.

A Few Good Reasons

Now more than at any stage in life, getting a degree matters for you. Here’s why:

Marketability

In the current job market, having a college degree plays an integral role. Many professional positions today require a bachelor’s degree as the minimum qualification. Managers rarely have time to mentor staff, and not everything can be learned on the job. By educating yourself, you will develop the necessary skills to market yourself, showing you are self-motivated and stand out from the crowd.

Networking

There will be many faces along the journey to your graduation day. The relationships you make in your classes with your professors and peers, and post-graduation in your alumni network, will be integral to your career success. From just a few years of school, you will receive decades’ worth of relationships. Taking advantage of your college network will ensure that you find the right contacts that could potentially land you your next professional gig.

Financial Security

Have your eye on the prize? You’ll love this: higher education means a higher income and more job security.

• $1M: Amount that college grads earn over their career compared to those with an associate’s degree
• 74%: How much higher the median earnings are of adults with a bachelor’s degree compared with high school graduates
• 31%: How much higher the median earnings are of adults with a bachelor’s degree compared with an associate’s degree

Personal Growth

If you’re passionate about helping others, you’ve come to the right place. Many fields — including medicine, law, social services and mental health — require a college degree for positions that come in direct contact with those in need. These fields fall into the for-profit, non-profit and public sectors. It is possible to love your job, and be an agent of change for yourself and others.

In addition, it’s possible that you are the first person in your family to graduate from college. The lifetime of pride that you can give to your family members, and yourself, is an invaluable experience.

Knowledge

You know what they say: knowledge is power. According to research published by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, adults are believed to exhibit more engaged learning, problem-solving skills, and a stronger level of internal motivation. The critical thinking and reasoning skills you learn in college will stay with you for a lifetime.

Earning your bachelor’s degree can also lead to further educational opportunities. You may have never imagined yourself pursuing a master’s degree before, but discovering your passion for a certain subject could get you there.

Bottom Line

Life happens and we know that. You are never too old to accomplish your goals and to be a role model for your family. Whether you’re ready for a promotion, career change or the next milestone in your life, finishing your degree can help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

When you’re ready to start the next steps towards your degree, we’re here for you. Click here to start the conversation.