After graduating from high school many young people have the option to directly enter the work force.Most students who have the opportunity,however,decide to go to college before finding jobs (They attend college to obtain more choices,-higher salaries,and more opportunities for advancement in an increasingly competitive job market.
Before attending college,students have a limited opportunity to specialize.After obtaining a specific college degree a job applicant can be competitive for previously unavailable jobs.For instance,applicants with Computer Science degrees would not only be qualified for jobs in high-tech companies,they would also be well prepared for any job with computer skills as a prerequisite.With a larger range of potential jobs to choose from,degree holders are more likely to find a job that suits their particular needs and interests.
Additionally,employers are willing to pay a premium for highly qualified applicants.For example,many companies desire employees who are competent in more than one language and offer higher salaries to attract them.Even if a job applicant without a college degree has high standardized test scores,employers may still placea higher value on an applicant with similar test scores who also possesses credentials from a well-known university.Because of the extent to which a college degree is accepted by employers as proof of competence in a given field,college graduates are not only more likely to receive more job offers,they can also command higher salaries than applicants who lack college diplomas.
Finally,in addition to offering more choices and higher salaries,a college degree offers access to jobs with a clear path towards professional advancement.A B.S.in biology,for example,could allow a student to find a job in a lab after graduation,a first step on the road towards a career in scientific research.The same major could also be used to apply to medical school,and a career as a doctor.Both of these avenues would be unavailable without taking the first step of an undergraduate degree in biology.