February 10, 2011 — vol. 46, no 27
Good education matters
A pleasant aspect of being young is the fun and games and little serious responsibility. That mode changes in high school, when education becomes more intense. Then some students view education as a penalty imposed by society on the young until the age of 16.
Your first job is school
Many students do not see it this way, but doing well in school is actually their first job. Like any other job, they are expected to go every day and complete assigned homework. If you think of it, that is what your parents have to do to earn the pay to support the family.
The pay-off is scholarships
After four years of hard work in high school, students will find that they have not yet learned enough to launch their careers. Post-graduate education is necessary, but it is no longer free. Students who worked hard and earned top grades will qualify for scholarships. Others will have to pay their way. The award of a scholarship is the pay day.
Education determines income
According to the U.S. Census, an individual’s income will be higher the more education that he or she has. In March 2008, a man with no high school diploma would average $32,379. A woman would earn $10,000 less. But with an associate’s degree, the average income would be $52,322 for a man and $41,097 for a woman. With a bachelor’s degree or more, income jumps to $88,641 for men.
Youth is a time to learn
All incomes are less for the young. The average income for all high school drop-outs 18-24 years old was only $20,054. That is not enough to support a family. At each education level the income is less for the young as they master skills and acquire experience. The fact is that education continues for those who are ambitious.
Words to the wise
“See education as an opportunity.”
