Jillian DiBlasi English 0701 September 17, 2013

Social Capital in Education

People benefit from their social capital whether it is opportunity, permission, or maybe even money. Social capital increases a persons status or value to society. There are three general types of capital which include economic, social, and cultural. People can categorize themselves into one of these three capitals based on their aspects and those different types of situations that occur. Race and gender are two extremely common forms of social capital that people often talk about. Education is another example of social capital that is not as commonly talked about. Everyone in the United States is permitted the right to a basic education, kindergarten to twelfth grade. The average American usually contemplates if college is the right thing for them. Based on the individual, it is up to them whether or not they want to enhance their knowledge and progress towards a higher level of education. Some choose to take an alternative route, which is fine, but college can affect your future drastically, especially in the workplace. In todays economy, a college degree is essential for earning a high paying job.

College graduates have a better chance of finding employment. In the United States today, unemployment rates still seem to be causing a problem. According to the United States Department of Labor, between the years 2003-2013, unemployment rates have increased by about 1.5% (Bureau of Labor Statistics Data). Not to say that

unemployment rates will continue to increase, but one of the reasons why is because the workplace is becoming more and more competitive every day. After graduating high school, the average unemployment rate is 9.0%. College graduates have half the unemployment rates of high school graduates (College Power Bulletin). Although it is not proven for every employer, most prefer hiring an employee that has earned a college degree than the average high school diploma.

Higher education provides an advantage all around. It all starts with a resume. When looking for any job, it is important to have impressive quality on ones resume. Higher education may be the deciding factor between two potential employees. A college degree can provide certain job opportunities and help a person with the position they are applying for. According to the author of Economic Benefits of College Education, David R. Witmer, claims that the college degree will be required at the threshold to the same good employment as is the high school diploma now (Witmer, 515). In other words, he is saying that the college degree will become a requirement for resumes in the future. The reason being that the average high school diploma does not generate the same opportunities. Certain jobs are not even questionable. That college degree not only provides a definite job opportunities, but also helps a person win the position they are applying for. After winning the position, and getting a dream job, a person starts to make an income. College Power Bulletin states that you can double your income by graduating from college (College Power Bulletin). A degree creates not only opportunity and permission, but also everybodys favorite, money.

College is inevitably one of the best decisions a person can make when trying to get his or her foot in the door. Going to a college or university can help students make lifelong friends and working partners. This development of relationships is commonly referred to as networking. People that students may encounter at college, such as professors, may very well know someone who can help these students land a job. Internships are certainly one of the best tools a student can receive. In some cases, they provide a job directly out of college, but if they do not help with getting a job, then it a learning experience. Plus, internships look good on resumes. It is the ultimate way to get a foot in the door. Knowing people can help tremendously in the competitive working industry. College helps make and keep these important bonds. Networking and internships are not necessarily offered to one who does not go to college.

There are more job opportunities for those with college degrees than those without them. Most of the time, those job opportunities are higher paying. Fast growing industries, such as health services, require at least a bachelors degree. As fast growing as these industries are, there is a lot of competition within these professions. It is important that when looking for a job in these areas, proper education is acquired. A college degree may not even be enough to obtain one of these jobs that require a bachelors degree or higher. Some employers look for even more education, so it is very important to take education seriously when looking for these jobs. The more education one pursues, the more choices of not only jobs, but the higher paying jobs their future holds.

The more education a person receives, the more money they earn in their lifetime. College Power Bulletin supports with the statistic that the average lifetime earnings by a high school graduate would be $1,531,400. The numbers rise as the amount of education rises. There are ample degrees you can earn, starting with the associates degree all the way to a professional degree. The lifetime earnings gap between the different degrees is around about $1,000,000 (College Power Bulletin). Obviously, the more work put in, the more is gained, not only money, but knowledge too.

Yes, there are jobs that do not require a college degree. Yes, one can go to a trade school or take part in an apprenticeship. But the real question is, why settle for those options, when there are so many more job opportunities when it comes to having a college degree? It is uncommon for the average person to receive as many different opportunities and be paid as much money as a person who earned a college degree. There are very few instances where people who did not go to college, or particularly do well in school, earn more money than people who do go to college. Successful people like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates never earned any type of college education, yet they bathe in their own money. It can be argued that people can become successful, but the percentage of average people who becomes that successful is low.

Going above and behind the average basic education, does not only help you in the workplace, but it also helps you in the long run. Not many employers would reject someone who took the time to educate and better themselves. It shows that the person is dedicated, committed, and hardworking when it comes to their future. When it comes time to apply for a job, those extra years spent on education can and will help one get that

higher position. There is no harm to someone who works to get the degree they need, so they receive the high earning pay that they deserve. Not going to college will not ruin ones life, it is just the better path to take for a successful future.

Works Cited
Bureau of Labor Statistics Data. Publication. N.p., Web. 20 Sept. 2013. <http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000>. College Power Bulletin. Why Should You Go To College? N.p.: Fastweb L.L.C., Sept. 2009. PDF. pp. 5 David R. Witmer Review of Educational Research , Vol. 40, No. 4, Science and Mathematics Education (Oct., 1970), pp. 511-523 American Educational Research Association