Page 40 - Keys to College Success

Well then, why take calculated risks? Why not save your money, time, and effort?
Because only with productive risk-taking (not risky behavior) come the rewards essen-
tial to your success. Skills, intelligence, motivation, employment, growth, and advance-
ment can be yours, but only as a result of hard work, dedication, and focus.

The Value of Risk in the Modern World

You are beginning your college experience in a time marked by rapid change that pres-
ents both opportunity and crisis. For example:

■ Many formerly domestic jobs have moved overseas.
■ Graduates working in the United States now compete with and work with people
who live in different time zones, speak different languages, and have different The Rewards of College
perspectives.
■ Civic unrest is growing. With the “Occupy” movement of late 2011, for example,
people pushed back against a tough economic climate and sparse job outlook.
■ Global media, communication technology, and transportation methods enable
exposure to different people, places, values, cultures, beliefs, and perspectives.
■ Technological development continues at an ever-faster pace, demanding constant
learning and training.

Even as college itself is a risk, it offers you the training, habit of learning, and com-
fort with risk-taking that you need to survive in this environment. It also improves
your earning power. As Key 1.1 illustrates, statistics show that college graduates still
earn an average of $40,000 more per year than someone without a degree. Money isn’t
everything, but that amount can make a significant difference in your ability to pay
loans, manage costs, and provide stability. Increased income is just one reward that
makes a college education worth the risk. There are many more.

KEY 1.1 More education is likely to mean more income.

Median annual income of persons with income 25 years old and over, by gender and highest level of education, 2009

Bachelor’s degree
or more

Associate’s degree

Some college,
no degree

High school graduate

Men Women
Some high school, no diploma

0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000
Income (in dollars)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. “Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States, 2009.” Current Population Reports, Series P60-238, September 2010.

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