Monday, September 6, 2010

Making The Decision To Attend College

Deciding whether or not to attend college can be a difficult decision. As I have previously stated, attending college does not guarantee that you will get a high paying job; nor does it guarantee that you will get a job. The biggest decision you will need to make before deciding to attend college would be the career field you would like to work. For Example: If you decided you wanted to become a psychologist you should be prepared to dedicate at least 6 to 8 years toward college. If you received a bachelor's degree in the field of psychology your choice of work options will be extremely limited. In fact you may not able to work in the psychology field until you at least have a graduate degree. If this is a profession that you desire to work in, then it is absolutely a worthwhile investment. However, if you're unsure you would really need to do extensive research so that you do not waste your time or money pursuing this career.


Another career field that requires a degree but only on an associate level is registered nursing. This career field requires two years of college to enter at the entry level. However, you must decide if you are able to work with people, blood, and other bodily fluids. Working as a registered nurse can be quite rewarding, and it can also be quite a challenge. If you were to pursue an education in the field of registered nursing, I would suggest that you make sure you do your research and enter the profession for the right reasons. Registered nursing has been glamorized by many TV shows. Yes, registered nurses are able to earn very good wages. Keep in mind money is not everything, and there is always the possibility of being involved in a malpractice lawsuit. The earning potential for registered nurses with associate degrees is good. If you really want to increase your earning potential, and employment options, then you will definitely need to return to school to pursue advanced degrees.

Making the decision to attend college requires a lot of self reflection. Remember it is a long-term investment with the possibility of great rewards. As you grow older and look back on your life you will probably never regret acquiring a college education. I will tell you if you do not attend college it may be one of your biggest regrets. To this day I have not met a person who has said I wish I would have never gone to college and received my associate, bachelor, master, or doctorate degree.” Whatever you decide is best for you, remember, Marlene says: make it happen.