The Biden administration’s erasure of another $7.7 billion in student loan debt is making college more accessible amidst growing concerns about the continued rise in cost of attending a four-year college. In just the past 12 years, tuition has increased by 9.24%.
College is a huge financial investment, but one that will net bigger returns by providing unparalleled opportunities that extend beyond years spent on campus. College graduates consistently enjoy an earnings edge over non-graduates, and those who maximize their college experience by engaging in upskilling and networking opportunities find themselves better positioned for success in their careers.
The exclusive upskilling opportunities available through college will prepare you for your next job. When employers are looking for their next hire, they’re not just looking for someone with hard skills such as coding, data engineering and copywriting but also for someone with soft skills such as leadership, public speaking and communication. While hard skills are acquired through classroom learning, clubs, community groups, extra-curricular events give you the exposure to develop soft skills.
Many colleges offer exclusive benefits to alumni to aid your professional journey and helping you upskill even after college. For example, NYU offers a 20% discount to its alumni on courses from their School of Professional Studies. These scholarships, extracurricular clubs, alumni benefits, unique speaker series featuring industry leaders, celebrities, motivational speakers and more, can expand your avenues to get your next job and continue building exceptional skills. After all, the unemployment rate among college graduates (3.8%) is lower than those without a degree (4.5%).
College graduates come out of those years, not just with a degree but relationships of a lifetime, and that is the second, most important, exclusive opportunity that is made available to college students. They say your network is your net worth, and in today’s world that’s the secret key that unlocks many doors. 85% jobs are filled through networking and 77% of students say that connecting with alumni helped them find opportunities. In fact, one of the key benefits of college honor societies, like the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), that attracts students to join is the wide network of professionals you can connect with. This benefit transformed the course of many lives. Famously, Sergey Brin and Larry Page met each other at Stanford, and together went on to create Google. Similar is the tale of Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy of Snapchat; Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk of Airbnb, and many others.
The benefits are not limited to just connecting with someone who may help you find your next job. It can also be about finding a mentor, a business partner, a future investor, or a friend you can go to for professional advice and problem-solving. There is no better place to do that than college for it is a melting pot of perspectives and of people from all walks of life with whom you can interact through regular seminars, conferences and fraternities/sororities.
The value of a college experience transcends the initial investment. It’s a journey that extends far beyond the years spent on campus, offering unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth. For students, it is important to remember that their resume will get them the job, however, their leadership skills will get them a promotion. Finding opportunities to learn about leadership and lead creates a stronger sense of self, which is priceless for anyone who gains this insight. When you combine the upskilling and networking opportunities that college provides with classroom learning, you can expand your perspectives and horizons. There is no saying how far you can go not just in college but for decades beyond your college years. So, while the cost may seem daunting, the lifelong benefits of a college education are truly immeasurable.
Sean Anderson is a Florida resident and the Co-President of The National Society for Leadership and Success, a leadership program with 829 chapters and millions of members nationwide.
Stacey Malaret is the director of LEAD Scholars Academy at University of Central Florida. Originally from Orlando, Dr. Malaret has a masters and a doctorate from UCF. She has worked in the student development field since 1999.
