Exercise 15: 3 Benefits of My Degree

Writing Exercise 15: What did college do for you?

I have the luxury of walking into a private college and sit with about 30 students, 4-days a week, and get paid for it.  This is a far cry from what my life was like ten years ago.    Back then, I was the student going to school full-time at night while working full-time during the day as well as working for a DJ on the weekends.

I was unclear as to what direction my future would take, but I knew that earning my college degree would afford me privileges.  I believed both my income and opportunities would change for the better.  I didn’t know then, but it was my confidence that changed most significantly for the better.

Since graduation, my income has doubled.  When I first earned my degree, I got an initial pay raise at the job I was already working at.  I enjoyed that pay raise, and also yearned to make more money so that I could be more comfortable with my lifestyle.  I wanted to be able to eat at a restaurant and not worry about paying for the bill or go food shopping and not have to put items back if I didn’t have enough money.  I didn’t want to skip paying one bill so that I could pay another.  So to satisfy my financial hunger, I started looking for work that would allow me to continue to do what I was interested in and pay me more handsomely.

This is when I realized more opportunities were available to a college graduate with a master’s degree.  I noticed when I was on the hunt for work, I would find jobs asking for a bachelor’s or master’s degree and I still qualified as an applicant.  In fact, my current job required a master’s degree.  If I didn’t have my degree, I would not be able to apply. 

So it is true, my degree offered me both a handsome salary as well as the opportunity to teach at the college level, allowing me to make my schedule and live the lifestyle I know can afford.  And although those benefits are significant, what is most significant to me is since I earned my degree, I feel confident.  I stand taller, speak with more conviction, and smile more often.

What did your college degree do for you?  If you don’t have a degree, what could one do for you?  I don’t know if the benefits will be the same as mine, but I am pretty sure that having a degree made my life just a little better.