The Best Investment You Can Make

January 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The financial markets are going up and down like bizarre elevators–things are a little crazy in the investment world these days. There is one investment you can make that holds its value and that is education–yours.   Have you been polishing the wrong side of the glass ceiling? Maybe it’s time to put away the glass cleaner and polishing cloth and put a little polish on you! Invest in yourself-education is never lost. Going back to school, whether to earn a degree, improve a skill or learn something new is a great way to boost your salary, your self-esteem, get to know new people-maybe start your own business!

The skill gap

The Department of Labor’s data shows an increasing skill gap between the current labor market and available jobs. Of the 50 top-paying careers, only two (air traffic controller and nuclear power reactor operator) do not require a 4-year college degree. The career era, where you got a job and stayed with it forever has been over for a while now. Workers have to adapt to new skill requirements, new technologies and constant change. Less than half the workforce is ready to meet these demands, so a huge canyon is opening up. Are you ready to step out of the gap?

 What are the skills you will need?

A recent poll of CEOs by the United States Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable showed that what they are looking for are employees who can adapt to change, have a global mindset, are critical thinkers and have solid writing skills. In other words, thinkers who can work and workers who can think.

Yes, but is getting more education worth it?

According to U.S. census data, people with a bachelor’s degree earned 90 percent more than high school graduates in 2007. On average, college graduates earned $59,365 annually compared with high school graduates who earn $33,609. In 2007, the Census Bureau reported the following statistics:

  • $19,405 Less than a high school diploma
  •  $26,894 High school diploma
  • $32,874 Some college or associate’s degree
  • $46,805 Bachelor’s degree
  • $62,287 Graduate or professional degree

I think you can see–yes, it’s worth it! See you on the other side of the glass ceiling.

Filed Under: Education, Money, Women and Money
About Karen

Karen Karsten, CPCC, CAC, has had several business careers, in government, finance, retail and publishing. Each career was a building block that helped her create the life she has now as a coach, writer and executive director of Rich Chicks and Creative Principle of Think You Can LLC.

Her companies, Think You Can (www.thinkyoucan.net) and Rich Chicks (www.richchicks.org) both explore the magic of prosperity and creating clarity about life values. Karen has total faith in the magic of belief. Notice how that works either way: belief of magic, magic of belief. Magic is there—in you, too. Take a moment right now and honor the magic in you.

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