Degrees: Are They Worth It?

Degrees-Are They Worth It-Chispa MagazineThere’s an ongoing debate about whether degrees are worth it when it comes to advancing your career. If I could turn back time, I’d have got one. Maybe I’ll go back and get it some day. Unfortunately, at the time, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. This is where all sorts of factors start to come into play. There are plenty of pros and cons for whether degrees are worth undertaking, so let’s go through them today.

The Pros Of Degrees
Let’s start with the obvious. A degree will give you so many more options when it comes to your career. Let’s explore a few examples. Yes, you could become a sports physiotherapist with the right amount of training and experience, but it would take a long time to accomplish without a degree. As explained at http://withmydegree.org, something like a food science degree would offer many opportunities. We get degrees to expand our horizons and get the best jobs with the best pay. It’s that simple.

Of course, the other great thing about degrees is that they offer massive amounts of information in a relatively short time. You’ll be taught by the experts in their field, and given access to opportunities you could only dream of elsewhere. You’ll often go off and study with like-minded individuals too, which is always beneficial. I’m always told that I really missed out by not studying away from home, and I’ve certainly felt that way at times in the past.

The Cons Of Degrees
The most obvious downside to a degree is the associated cost that comes with them. Yes, they are expensive to undertake in many circumstances. That said, you will sometimes find that employers are willing to put up some of the cost for you if you’re already working. When it comes to cost, you need to weigh up whether you think it’s worth spending that money.

The biggest way of deciding whether it’s a cost-effective option for you is based on the subject you’re taking. This is where I initially struggled, as I had no idea what I wanted to do when I left education for the first time. This is the period where you need to seriously consider whether you’re picking the right subject. If you aren’t sure, try speaking to a careers adviser to get some help on finding what you want to do. You can also take career-based quizzes online at places like http://www.yourfreecareertest.com.

It might be that your chosen career doesn’t require a degree to get started. Instead, you might be able to get training via a work-based scheme or an apprenticeship. This will certainly save the costs of a degree, but you won’t make as much money in the long-term in most cases. Whether you can deal with this is up to you, but it’s important to be aware of this.

At the end of the day, it’s down to you whether you think a degree is in your best interests. They are there to try and progress your career and help to make money in the long-term, but you have to be willing to work hard. Think carefully, and make your decision.

Photo by Baim Hanif

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Milo Senalle

Milo Senalle

Managing Editor at Chispa Magazine
As one of the managing editors of Chispa Magazine, Milo Senalle is the go-to man for all things technology, ethical, and financial concerns. Providing laughs with his style of writing and problem-solving techniques, Milo is a voice of reason among the girly staff at Chispa. Married with children, living in Atlanta, he works 24/7 on becoming a man of courage and believes honor begins at home.

Milo Senalle

As one of the managing editors of Chispa Magazine, Milo Senalle is the go-to man for all things technology, ethical, and financial concerns. Providing laughs with his style of writing and problem-solving techniques, Milo is a voice of reason among the girly staff at Chispa. Married with children, living in Atlanta, he works 24/7 on becoming a man of courage and believes honor begins at home.