Cause and Effect

The age old question is once again presented, what good is having an education in the real world? How much of what is learned in school is actually used in the work industry each day? Does obtaining a degree give someone a greater opportunity to make more money, obtain a better job, and stay out of the unemployment line? On the opposite side, can someone without the educational status of a person with a degree, stay out of the unemployment line and have the opportunity to work for and earn equal pay and pursue a career?

Students completing their high school education and are preparing to graduate are confronted with the question of whether to continue their education or pursue a career. A number of pro’s and con’s can contribute to making the correct choice. Money, time, and commitment are just a couple of reasons for choosing which path to take. Which leads in to the next question, can real-world knowledge without educational achievement progress in to something successful?

The people who decide to pursue the career path after high school in most cases have met a variety of routes. Some have bounced from job to job making lateral moves in hopes of greener pastures. Others have been loyal employees and worked with one employer, but have reached the end with out much success. Like most people, they start searching for other possible avenues for success. Those who continue their education and complete their degree are presented with more choices of employment, salary, and advancement. Seemingly, being educated would tend to have greater opportunities for the future.

Produced by the United States Department of Labor, unemployment statistics favor those who obtain a degree with a 2.73 unemployment rate compared to a 4.99 unemployment rate for those without a degree, resulting in a 55% difference in unemployment in 2004, and in 2005 for those with a degree had a 2.35 unemployment rate compared to 4.73 for those with no degree, resulting in a 50% difference (United States Department of Labor, 2005). While many factors contribute to the unemployment gap between those who have a degree and those who do not, the gap is slowly coming together.

Factors such as fast-growing fields that have increased job openings that do not require a degree (Albach, 2005) help those who are looking for employment. Presently, more employers are turning to uneducated individuals to fill their needs. With the Baby-Boomer generation starting to retire, years of knowledge and experience are retiring as well. The hole that is left from the vacancy of the impressive generation leaves many businesses