How You Can Help Our Community During the Holidays this Year

By Amy Caliendo

With the holiday season getting into full swing, the College has launched our annual Peirce Season of Giving to support our Philadelphian friends and neighbors. Peirce College has been organizing events to help families have food on the table and gifts under the tree for the past few years, and we are always impressed with how our students, alumni, faculty, and staff step up and give back to others. We want to take a few moments to share details about this year’s events and encourage you to participate.

Youth Action Toy Drive.  We’re accepting new, unwrapped book and gift donations for children ages infant through 17 years old as part of our annual Youth Action Toy Drive. Youth Action provides these gifts to at-risk children and teens in Philadelphia, particularly those living in area shelters or transitional and crisis housing. 

Making a donation can ensure someone who might not receive any gifts this year will have at least one present under the tree. Our collection box is located in the lobby of College Hall, and we’ll be collecting items until Dec. 5. So when you’re out shopping over Thanksgiving weekend, be sure to pick up a toy or book for a child or teen in need!

Canned Food Drive. The Peirce College Community is participating in a canned and dry goods donation drive to benefit Philabundance. The goods will go to Philadelphia residents in need this holiday season. Some items to consider are canned and boxed soups, gravies, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. Donations will be accepted in the main entrance lobby through Dec. 3.

We hope you’re getting into the holiday spirit and can help someone less fortunate this season. We’ll be updating you on our Peirce Season of Giving periodically over the next few weeks, so check back on our blog for updates.

Peirce IT Students Gain Valuable Experience in Work-Study Partnership with Dixon House

Last May, Peirce forged a work-study partnership with the Dixon House, a community-based organization under the umbrella of Diversified Community Services. We’ve been hearing a lot about the success of the program so we wanted to learn more about the work and the students who are participating.

We recently sat down with Yolanda Sowell, the computer lab assistant at Dixon House who oversees the Peirce work-study team, and Julian Knox, the first student who was brought on board as part of the Peirce – Dixon House partnership. Yolanda is a Peirce College alum and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Leadership. Julian is currently a senior at Peirce with only one class left towards his Bachelor’s in Information Technology.

The Peirce students who participate in the work-study program are responsible for maintaining two computer labs, among many other things. The labs are part of the Philadelphia KEYSPOT program that helps bridge the digital divide by giving low income individuals access to computers and internet.  The program is managed by The Mayor’s Commission on Literacy, Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, Philadelphia’s Office of Innovation & Technology and Drexel University.   One of the computer labs has 10 computers and the other is located within a classroom and has 6 computers.

According to Malik Brown, director of Dixon House, there are many working adults across Philadelphia who are committed to improving their lives and economic circumstances.  “While working hard is certainly part of the equation, low to moderate income families need additional tools to make the long climb out of poverty to self-sufficiency.  The strategic partnership with Peirce College compliments our work force development activities.  Diversified is honored to partner with Peirce College to help improve the lives of adults and families throughout Philadelphia.”

Currently there are eight students from Peirce who participate in the program.  “We’re fully staffed and because of the relationship with Peirce we’re able to be open 43 hours per week.” Yolanda tells us.

In addition to IT, everybody in the work study program helps with resumes, job searching, Microsoft office, and basic computer skills. “We don’t just look at students as work-study, they’re part of Dixon House and are addressed as Mr. or Miss,” Yolanda says. The community members who come to the Dixon House are referred to as clients.

Everyone has their specialties with helping people and improving the lab itself.  The Peirce IT students focus on IT but they’re also able to pick up on other valuable skills. “Everyone is learning how to teach, and how to use soft skills,” says Julian. “As I transition into an IT professional, I’m going to have to work with upper management as well as users, and I’m already getting good experience with that. I get to interact with Malik Brown (Director of Dixon House), Miss Yolanda, the other team members as well as the clients,” he explains. Yolanda also realizes the importance of these soft skills and tells us, “When I get time, I take them to the main building so that they can meet the staff and executives over there and network.”

Back at the Dixon House, one of their primary responsibilities is teaching courses in Microsoft Office that leads to certification of the Dixon House clients. “Mr. Julian and Miss Tamika are the lead teachers – they actually conduct computer classes and they have assistants, Mr. Troy, Miss Renee and Mr. Terrell,” explained Yolanda.

Julian elaborates, “Miss Yolanda, Miss Tamika and myself developed a curriculum for a 8 week class. We leveraged the GCF Learn Free tutorials and grabbed what we thought were the best and fastest way to learn from that. I’ve personally taught five different people MS Office.” In addition to MS Office, they also teach other computer skills, “Many people have never touched a computer before so we have to start with the basics of turning it on and off. We work from there to helping people set up their email, and then on to internet basics,” Julian tells us.

Many of the clients also come to the Dixon House for help with resumes and finding a job. Julian and Yolanda put together a resume template that the clients use. “Everyone that comes to me gets a job,” Julian boasts. “I help input their information into the template, make sure their wording is correct and make sure the keywords are in the resume,” he adds.

Yolanda proudly explains, “All of the Peirce students have helped someone at some point with a resume and they’ve gotten a job because of it. We actually have a job board and when one of our clients gets a job we go around the building and ring a bell so everyone in the building knows that another client has just landed a job. We also add their name to the job board. There are currently 11 names on the board.”

In addition, the students are also involved in Philly Goes to College, which Mayor Michael Nutter rolled out at a press conference held at the Dixon House. The Peirce students have been trained so that they are all familiar with the process and how to do applications, financial aid, and writing essays for scholarships.

When asked for final thoughts, Yolanda excitedly told us, “I couldn’t ask for a better team, I couldn’t have imagined this just a few years ago and I’m so grateful also that I went to Peirce College because it’s a family and I knew I was going to get quality students when I reached out. I am truly blessed to have them here, they are an awesome team together, it’s such a good atmosphere!”

A special thanks to Diversified Community Services’ Dixon House for the partnership opportunity and all of the students involved who make it a success!

The Evolution of Technology in Human Resources

By Kristen Irey

 In the next 18 months, 57% of companies plan on making major new HR technology related purchases. In addition to recruiting, this new wave of technology allows HR professionals to accomplish more administrative tasks in less time, including virtually training remote employees, and enabling employees to work from locations outside of the home office. Learning to effectively leverage this technology is a valuable tool in a company’s arsenal, especially as a new post-recession war for talent will occur in the next few years.  

Additionally, technology has also increased opportunities for non-traditional work arrangements. Human resource professionals are playing a leading role in the selection and implementation of technologies that support companywide initiatives. The new 21^st century business buzzwords are “enterprise mobility”. This simply means that technology has enabled companies and their employees to perform work from almost anywhere. This contributes to an organization’s overall competitive position.  Companies are beginning to realize when properly managed, these types of flexible work arrangements can result in cost savings and higher productivity.

Social Media and HR

Social media is another evolving area of technology that is significantly changing the HR landscape. As with all emerging technologies the benefits can be offset with additional challenges.   Social media brings many opportunities, but it also brings potential hazards. Employers who use social media as a method of tracking employees’ activities outside of work may face serious liability. Social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter give employees an outlet to express personal and sometimes controversial viewpoints. Employers must be careful to not overstep their boundaries and invade employees’ private lives. The implementation of social media networking and its impact has been one of the biggest changes and challenges in the HR field over the past 20 years. Employers must walk a fine line between wanting to protect the employer’s brand and respecting employee privacy. HR professionals must take an active role in preserving this delicate balance. 

Despite the many perils social media has brought to the modern employer it has also created many positive changes in the HR field and beyond.

 Social media offers employers with limited resources new ways to reach qualified candidates. Web based applications such as LinkedIn offer recruiters the ability to target candidates within a specific field or skill set for very little cost. Traditionally, employers who were recruiting from a specific industry would turn to trade-specific publications and media outlets, which led to higher recruitment costs and array of unqualified candidates.

By leveraging new technology based recruitment tools, HR professionals are able to quickly and easily connect with professionals in targeted industries and fields. Instead of casting a wide net and hoping for the best as has traditionally been done, they’re now able to create a valuable pipeline of relevant candidates. Once a candidate has been selected, technology also plays a valuable role in immersing that employee into the company and its culture.

Online or Virtual Training

Online training is an effective tool for a remote and dispersed workforce. With the rise of enterprise mobility employers are utilizing technology to perform work more efficiently. However, employers still need to provide training to all members of the company regardless of where they are located. Virtual training sessions can be used for mandated and compliance training or for other valuable employee development opportunities.

Remote workers however are not the only employees who benefit from virtual training. Traditional office-based workers are using technology to become more efficient and productive. Web-based training and other asynchronous methods can save time and money for an employer. Traditional in-person training sessions are expensive and can reduce productivity in the short term, as employees must stop working in order to attend. Web based and asynchronous training opportunities have changed this previous employer dilemma.

Preparing for a career in Human Resources

The most important thing HR students can do is to stay current with new developments and evolving laws that impact employers. It is also essential for students to get some basic experience in human resources if they are considering pursuing a career in that field. This could include volunteer or contract HR opportunities. HR has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Students need to understand all facets of HR, but more importantly need to understand the strategic role HR plays in an organization. Today’s HR goes beyond just hiring and firing employees. It must have an active role in the long-term strategy of a company.

HR professionals must understand more than the basic functions of Human Resources. They must also understand how those functions contribute to the overall success of an organization. HR needs to add value and enhance an organization’s success in order to prove its worth.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to prepare for an HR career in this technology-driven landscape, take a look at our Human Resource Management degrees and contact us to set up a time to discuss further. 

Successfully Transitioning into a Career in IT

Information technology is a quickly growing and rapidly evolving field. As a result, there are more opportunities for professionals looking to build an IT career than ever before.

Over the next several years we’ll see a potential boom in IT that could be constrained by a shortage of appropriately educated and experienced workers. For example, Google alone is expecting to hire at least 5,000 people per year for the next five years in Silicon Valley alone, but will only be seeking candidates that are properly educated and have real world experience. This scenario is likely to play out with many different companies across the country seeking professionals to fill a variety of roles.

Many of these opportunities lie in the recent developments of areas such as virtualization, cloud computing, and the ongoing consumerization of IT (using your personal smartphone or tablet on a company’s network). But perhaps one of the most exciting technologies for students entering the field is the Internet of Things where everyday items from home security systems, to TVs, to cars are connecting to the internet. This industry alone is set to grow by 30% in 2015, and the pace will only increase from there. These “smart objects” will need to communicate real-time data across networks and as a result will create an increasing demand for IT professionals.

In the midst of these rapid developments, a solid foundation that includes a computer-related college degree and hands-on experience is more important than ever to fully prepare yourself to succeed as an IT professional.

Career Paths in IT

Depending on your interests, an IT career can take many different paths. Some students are more interested in programming and get a rush out of writing the code that commands a computer what to do and seeing those command executed. For others, computer networking - providing the infrastructure through which unbelievable amounts of information flows every moment - is more of an interesting career path. Similarly, information security has never been more prominent or more challenging and thus holds great career potential as well.

Academic Preparation for Today’s IT Professionals

At Peirce, we look to provide students with a balance of hands-on experience with new and emerging technologies along with timeless skills and habits of mind they’ll need throughout their career. Some of these valuable skills include critical reasoning and problem solving as well as communicating with users, understanding their needs, and providing them excellent customer service.

Other timeless skills include project management, systems analysis, and other approaches to succeed when the budgets are large and the stakes are high. Students learn how to make sure these projects are on time, according to specification, and on or under budget.

These timeless skills are combined with cutting-edge, practical skills you’ll need for a successful career in technology, a field that is perpetually reinventing itself. They include how to select, design, integrate, implement, evaluate and administer modern computer-based systems to meet user needs.

Things you can do to prepare

Aspiring IT professionals should make a special effort to stay on top of the industry as it continues to evolve. A few tips include:

• Stay current on what’s trending on the web
• Read the latest books in the particular areas you’re interested in.
• Keep up with blogs that discuss the latest information and provide thought leadership.
• Find top influencers on social media to follow and interact with. 

Another thing you can do to prepare is to seek out hands-on experience. Get involved with an open source project, volunteer your services pro bono, and look for temporary or contract work in the field.

It’s will also be extremely beneficial to spend some time in help desk, customer support, and tech support roles to gain a great perspective to use as a foundation to for your career. At Pierce, you’re required to take a course in tech support with a strong customer service foundation. The combination of experience along with a formal education is a very powerful recipe for getting connected with meaningful opportunities sooner rather than later.

As you can see, there’s plenty of opportunity for students looking to build their career in IT. If you’re interested in learning more about the programs at Peirce take a look at the various Information Technology degrees offered and feel free to reach out to us for more information. 

Peirce Welcomes Jordan Greenwood as Legal Studies Advisor

We’re excited to welcome Jordan Greenwood to Peirce as the Legal Studies advisor! In this role she’ll help students who are pursuing degrees in Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies, and Legal Studies in Business to plan for academic success and take advantage of the many resources Peirce has to offer. We had a chance to sit down with Jordan to discuss her role, thoughts on preparing students for today’s workforce, and advice for helping students achieve success at Peirce.   

         

Can you tell us about your background and why you came to Peirce?

My background is equal parts community outreach and academic advising, mostly within the Philadelphia area.  I earned my Bachelor’s from Temple and moved away from Philadelphia for graduate school.  When I finished my Master’s, I knew I wanted to come back and work with students largely from the Philadelphia area and as I narrowed down my search, Peirce kept popping up.  I took a closer look at the school, realized that its mission fit really well with my own goals and decided to apply for the Legal Studies advisor position.

Jordan Greenwood

Any goals or focus areas for continuing to improve/enhance the Peirce Legal Studies program?

The strong relationship between the Legal Studies faculty and the Advising Center is important and I’m excited for it to continue to develop.  Ed Miller and Bob Brzencheck, in particular, have been instrumental in making this happen.  Future collaborations between the Advising Center and the Legal Studies faculty will really help students to feel more supported and able to succeed at Peirce.

 What do you see as the biggest challenge facing students entering today’s legal field? How do you plan to help students overcome that challenge?

The biggest challenge is staying ahead of new developments in the field – particularly in terms of technology.  Fortunately, there are so many resources for students to take advantage of at Peirce.  The Criminal Justice and Legal Studies in Business programs have been completely revamped so that they better match current skills needed by employers, and the Paralegal Studies program has recently added several new technology-oriented classes.  I’m looking forward to working with students as they chart out their degree plans to help them make the most of these new offerings.  Students are also able to work with Career Services to market these skills in the best way possible towards prospective employers.

What advice would you give a student who isn’t sure if a career in the legal profession is right for them?

Talk to Legal Studies professors!  Talk to Career Services!  The biggest piece of advice I have would be to reach out to the many knowledgeable people they already have access to as Peirce students.  If that goes well, I would recommend taking an introductory course – but the first step is to reach out and start the conversation.

What are some goals students should be setting, academic or otherwise, as they prepare for a career in the legal field?

Organization skills, time management, and professional growth.  These three are pretty interrelated, and they are crucial for success in any field.  A well-developed organizational system that works for you makes managing your time so much easier.  Likewise, both organization skills and time management techniques can help you plan for professional growth and see where it fits in your day-to-day career. 

What advice do you have for busy working adults looking to pursue a degree?

My strongest piece of advice is to be mindful of your commitments.  I love working with students that are excited to come to Peirce and to finish their degrees – but the best way to do that isn’t necessarily to overload on courses every session until you earn your degree.  By being mindful of their commitments, students are able to evaluate the amount of time they can devote to classes each session and focus on succeeding in those courses. 

What are some common pitfalls students should avoid related to academic achievement?

Time management is probably the largest pitfall for students, in terms of academic achievement.  Fortunately, it’s also easy to improve. The Walker Center runs workshops that help students improve study skills and time management techniques, and we’re always happy to help students plan manageable class schedules at the Advising Center.  Once time management skills improve, many other pitfalls – missing classes or assignments, taking on a heavy course load – tend to fade. 

Thanks, Jordan for that insightful interview and welcome to Peirce! Students who have questions about Legal Studies or want to discuss planning out your academic program, can reach Jordan via email.

Former Deputy Director of FBI to Share Insights with Aspiring Legal and Criminal Justice Professionals

Legal students, join us next us next Monday, November 24^th at 6:00PM for a special event with Bill Esposito, a 33 year veteran of the FBI. During the event Bill will share his wealth of knowledge accumulated over a long, storied career that culminated in his appointment as Deputy Director of the FBI, the agency’s second highest post.

Esposito has either investigated or overseen many high profile cases including, Jimmy Hoffa, and the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski.

Bob Brzencheck,
Assistant Professor for the Criminal Studies Program 

His presentation will include insights on the different nuances it takes to be work for the FBI, his experiences, and how he was able to build his career with the FBI. At the end of his presentation there will be an open forum where Esposito will dive into the nuts and bolts of applying to FBI and the ins and outs of an FBI career.

The event will be held Monday November 24, 2014 from 6:00 – 7:00PM in Room 42.

Students of Legal Studies, including those pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, Legal Studies in Business, and Paralegal Studies will benefit most from attending. Though front-line agents tend to be the most visible, it’s important to keep in mind that in every branch of criminal justice system there are different subsets and different jobs within those subsets.

During the presentation you’ll learn about some of these positions and how every employee has an important role and mission within the agency. From clerks, to lawyers, to counter-terrorism, there are a number of different players that work in the agency to help and support each other and help sustain the mission of the FBI.

To get the most out of the event there are a few things you can do to prepare. A good start would be to visit the FBI’s website  and check out different departments and missions of the FBI and how they work together to sustain and implement the role and efforts of the FBI.  Another resource to check out is USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site. Here you can learn about the various federal criminal justice opportunities and check out positions that are available.  Included in these positions are co-ops and internships that will help you get boots on ground experience to compliment your Legal Studies education. Lastly there’s the Office of Personnel Management, the clearinghouse for hiring federal employees.  This will help you to get a sense of what the federal government looks for in employees, the hiring process, and opportunities for career development.

These Legal Studies events bring in real-world practitioners from a variety of careers. They are designed to help educate and prepare the 21^st century legal and criminal justice professional. The events serve as another component within your toolbox to help you further advance toward your end goal of achieving a position in criminal justice. We can’t wait to see you there!

Peirce College Welcomes Two New Trustees!

Peirce is excited to welcome Dr. Sharmain Matlock-Turner and Ken Sickles to its Board of Trustees! Their vast experience in the community development and technology fields combined with their leadership in thriving local organizations will add valuable insight as we continue to develop and expand upon our career-focused degree programs.

A pioneering female leader, Matlock-Turner has over 15 years of experience serving the families and communities of Philadelphia. She currently serves as the first female President and CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition, where she is dedicated to improving and changing the lives of youth and young

adults, building wealth in low income communities, strengthening the grassroots nonprofit sector, and forging strategic partnerships across communities. As the commencement speaker for Peirce College in 2014 and the recipient of an honorary doctorate, Matlock-Turner has already begun to impart her professional insight onto the students of Peirce College.

Sickles brings 20 years of product management and marketing experience to Peirce College as the current Vice President of Product and Strategy for 1WorldSync. A forward thinking leader with an in-depth understanding of market demands and customer needs, Sickles is successful at developing business strategy and managing the launch of new software-as-a-service products. Sickles is focused on the impact that big data and social, mobile and location-based technology have on business intelligence and commerce.

Their combined experience offers Peirce students an expanded portfolio of professional contacts and new relationships within the workforce. Please join us in welcoming our newest Trustees! 

For more information, read our press release.

A Long History of Innovation at Peirce

Thomas May Peirce founded Union Business College in 1865 under the innovative idea that returning Civil War soldiers and others might want a business-focused education. Moreover he had the radical idea for the time that this education should be offered to both men and women. Founded on innovation, Peirce has always looked to the future and embraced technologies that would aid students in the classroom and in their careers.

In the early years, Peirce promoted Spencerian Method penmanship courses to ensure graduates would be best prepared to conduct business in Philadelphia and beyond. A few years later the invention of the typewriter transformed business writing, and Peirce offered classes in typing as early as the 1870’s. In 1884, the school introduced courses in stenography.

Typing Class

Early Accounting Student

Moving into the 20^th Century, Peirce was quick to recognize the power of radio. Various Peirce faculty members appeared on WDAR, an early Philadelphia station broadcasting out of the Lit Brothers Building on Market Street. In the 1920s, Peirce hosted a series of radio spelling bees for school children throughout the Philadelphia region, and began hosting regular business-oriented programs, including one called “Philadelphia Leads America.” Back on campus, faculty began recording their lectures on the Ediphone, an example of can be viewed in the Library.

Auto Tutor

Following the Second World War Thomas May Peirce, 3^rd became the Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Peirce, and he looked to create innovative yet practical new programs for the school.  By 1960, Peirce offered courses in office automation, and a few years later, computer programming. To accommodate the large computers of the era, the automation and programming courses were held at the WCAU building at 1622 Chestnut Street, now home to the Art Institute. By the 1970s, computers were an integral part of nearly every program. Peirce continued to innovate as the 21^st Century approached, launching its first website in 1996,and one of the first fully online programs in the country in 2000. 

 

Automation Brochure

Office Automation

 

How to Use Informational Interviews as a Tool for Success

Informational interviews are a great way to learn more about your field while also creating a valuable networking opportunity. In some cases, it could even be a precursor for a job interview. An effective informational interview will provide insight into what it’s really like to work in your desired field and help you better understand how what you’re learning in the classroom will one day be applied.

Informational interviews can potentially lead to a mentorship, internship, or job opportunity as potential employers will recognize the initiative taken to learn more about your field.

Since informational interviews typically aren’t advertised, it will probably take a little preparation to find and connect with the right person. However, by doing this you’ll not only secure a valuable meeting, you’ll also improve your networking skills which will be particularly useful when looking for a job.

So how do you convince someone to take time out of their busy schedule for an interview? In many cases, professionals willingly speak with students who express a strong desire to follow their footsteps. They look at it as a way of contributing to the field and helping to prepare the next generation of practitioners.

Below are a few tips to help you secure the interview:

Determine who you should ask for an interview.

This may not be as easy as it seems. Start by making a list of the ideal companies you’d like to work for. Add to the list the positions or job titles you’d most like to learn about.

Once you’ve compiled this list perform a search on LinkedIn. Be sure to use the advance search function that will allow you to search by company, position, keywords, location, and other criteria. LinkedIn’s advance search could also be a valuable tool to discover companies you may not be aware of by searching for keywords and titles while leaving the company field blank.

Send the request

Once you’ve narrowed down your list to the 3-5 top people you’d like to interview, you’re ready to send the request. Sometimes their email may be listed on the company website. If not, a couple of other ways to find an email address could be a simple Google search, connecting with them on LinkedIn and sending them a message (the most effective method), or finding them on Twitter.

When you email them be clear about why you’d like to meet with them and that this interview is for informational purposes only. Perhaps tell them a little about yourself, your interest in the field, and why you are reaching out to them specifically. Let them know you understand how busy they are and that you’re only requesting about 20 minutes of their time.

Many people will appreciate the fact that you’ve reached out them (they’ll probably even be a little flattered). Most professionals enjoy helping others who are eager to enter and advance in their same field.

If they don’t’ respond to the first email, wait about a week and follow up again. It may take 2-3 different attempts or you may have to reach out to 2-3 different people before securing one, but the benefits are well worth the effort.

Great, I’ve landed the interview. Now what?

You’ll want to prepare before you go to the interview. Research the company, their position, and identify what specifically you want to know. Since you’ll most likely have less than 30 minutes with them, you’ll want to make every question count.

In addition to the “how did you get started” and “how did you end up in your position” questions, here are a few ideas you may want to consider:

• What specifically do you do? What are your job duties and responsibilities?
• How do you see your industry changing over the next five years?
• What are the different types of jobs available in the field?
• What are the growth opportunities for professionals in the field?
• What’s your favorite thing about working in this field? Most rewarding?
• What skills or personal characteristics are best suited for the industry?
• What is the most important thing that someone planning to enter this career should know?
• What other departments or job titles do you regularly work with?
• Can you tell me about an interesting project you’ve worked on?
• Are you a member of any professional organizations? Are there any you would suggest?
• My current career is ________________________.  Any advice for transitioning from that career to your career?
• What do you wish you'd known before you entered this field?
• How can I best prepare to be successful in this career, both in the classroom and outside of it?

After the interview thank them for their time. Send a follow up thank you letter and if you’re comfortable that the interview was a success, ask them to keep you in mind for any internships or job openings that they think you’d be a good fit for.

If you’d like to learn more about preparing for success in your field, email or call Career Development Services , or stop by our office on the 6^th floor of College Hall! 

Degrees and Salaries: The Cost of Not Going to College

We’re all aware that the higher degree you earn, the more income you’ll make over a lifetime. A recent infographic by Pennsylvania HigherEducation Assistance Agency (PHEAA) brings this point home by visualizing the differences.

While the contrasts in salary are clear when looking at it from an annual perspective, the gap is magnified if you consider what these numbers mean over a lifetime. For example, a high school graduate will earn $976, 550 over a 30 year career span. Compare that with an associate’s degree and the earnings jump to $1,196,520, and for those who go on to compete their bachelor’s degree the lifetime salary jumps to $1,619,280.

But annual salary isn’t the only financial benefit for getting a college degree. College graduates are much more likely to be employed throughout their lifetimes. This is particularly true during slow economic periods and recessions. From 2007 – 2011 during the Great Recession, the highest unemployment rate for high school graduates stood at 11% while the unemployment rate for college graduates was half of that at 5.5 percent. As of September 2014, the unemployment rate for college graduates had dropped to 2.9 percent.

Here’s the infographic from PHEAA. What are your thoughts on the connection between college degrees and salary?

*Click here to enlarge.