More Reasons to Finish College, again

Times are tough. Just last month alone, over 650,000 jobs vanished into nothingness. Right now, more people are thinking about going back to college than ever before. Granted, not everyone can afford doing so, but gaining a competitive edge in one form or another is important. Several months ago, I wrote an article called "Top 5 Reasons to Finish College" and it has recently been getting a lot of attention. Here are some of the things you should be keeping in mind:

1. Competitive Edge: If you lost your job and you can afford another degree, do it. Gaining the extra qualifications will give you the edge over most people with single/standard degrees. If a degree program is not an option, consider going for certifications in your field. Being a versatile job candidate will help you stand out from the bunch. Why hire multiple talents if one can do it all?
2. Career path change: It's a known fact that most college graduates are not happy with their jobs. This could serve as a great opportunity to go back to college if you're looking for a change. It is probably a good idea to figure out what you want to go for as soon as possible. There's no way to say when the world's situation will be on the rise again, but stay prepared. Continue for the rest...
3. Personal benefit: If you're looking for change, or a little bit of variety in life, college might be a good idea. One can understand what it's like to be doing the same thing over and over for years on end. This ties in pretty closely with #2 as a career change may be a huge personal benefit. If you would rather be pursuing something you are more interested in, chances are you'd be happier if you did. Plus, your level of overall intelligence will be boosted as well.
4. Expanding your social network: In the previous article, I stressed that Social Interaction and networking was very important. If you are looking for a change in your field of work, knowing people already in it would be beneficial. Meeting new people who are knowledgeable and/or have these connections will be a huge plus. Regardless of whether or not you're that person with the "hookups," you never know when someone may need you for something, and when you may need them.

I hope this followup helps you understand how important going back to college can be during these times. Keep in mind, there are a million others in your situation. Many are already making their moves, so it's best to start thinking about what and how you want to pursue your goals.

I am also in the process of writing a column on how you can take advantage of having lost your job. Stay tuned!