Many youth ask at one time or another why do I need an education? They wonder if school is really worth the time and effort it takes to do well and graduate from high school. Probably even more ask this question about advancing on to post high school training. They say, “Why put forth the extra money and effort it will take to increase my training background?” Unfortunately, many quit school without seeking out good answers to these questions. National estimates are that as many as 30% of high school students quit school without gaining a diploma.

Locally, the percentage of dropouts is much smaller. However, dropping out of school is still an issue for many Columbus youth. If you are faced with a young person who is considering whether or not to continue with education, here are some thoughts to share.

Never before has education been more important for finding a good job. It used to be that an eighth grade education was all that was necessary to get a moderately good job. Today, that requirement has changed to a high school diploma. Even with a high school degree, however, the job opportunities are pretty limited. While post-secondary training is more important than ever, a high school degree is absolutely critical.

The difference in earning potential for those with post-high school training versus those that have no such training is extremely great. Compared to a person with a high school degree only, a person with a two-year degree makes 21% more per year. A person with a four-year degree will make 42% more than a high school-only degreed person. The difference between a high school dropout and a high school graduate (without any other degrees) is 23% in earning power. So simply for dollars and cents reasons it pays to continue on to further training.

However, in my opinion, the biggest reason to continue with schooling is that with each advanced degree comes more options in life. Let’s imagine a young person seeking work begins by checking the want ads in a newspaper. A high school graduate may qualify for 15% of the openings. An associate degreed applicant may qualify for 25%. By contrast, a four-year-degreed person may qualify for closer to 50%. These percentages are guesses on my part, but they illustrate this important point: education is the door to opportunities. Without it finding a job that pays well and is fulfilling is very difficult.

Because of this last fact, my answer to why a young person should stay in school would be very simple: “Staying in school will help you lead a more enjoyable and fulfilling life that utilizes more of your abilities and interests. Leaving school young has a high likelihood of dooming you to a job that will leave you financially insecure and emotionally discontented. The decision on continuing one’s schooling may be one of the most important you ever make and will have an incalculable impact on your entire future. School is an investment in life-long satisfaction. Create a future in which you do not look back at age 40 with regret because you did not invest wisely in your own happiness.”

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