3 Mistakes People Make When Going Back to College

There is a mantra for young people that they have to go to college, need to go to college, must get a degree to compete in the marketplace. This has resulted in many young people going to school to earn degrees that have little value in the marketplace, and it has led many employers to require a degree as a minimum credential to be considered for jobs that used to only require a high school diploma. For adults who may or may not have attempted college in the past, this results in them being shut out of jobs similar to those they already hold or let go because they are no longer considered qualified. Many are returning to college to stay competitive. Here are three mistakes people make when going back to college you should avoid making yourself.

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Not Talking to Your Employer

Before you sign up for an online MHA, ask your employer about educational reimbursement. Some employers offer reimbursement for college costs if the degree is related to your current job, while others offer tuition reimbursement no matter what degree you are earning. Consult with your employer about the possibility of these benefits before you enroll. If you work for a hospital, they offer nurses rich incentives to increase their skills, whether you are a nursing assistant becoming a certified registered nurse or an RN becoming a nurse practitioner. If you work in the back office, ask if they’ll pay for your online MHA program.

Not Considering the Return on Investment

Many people return to school without considering the return on investment for the effort or the money. They may pay top dollar to attend a private liberal arts college to earn a liberal arts degree that will not pay for itself in the modestly higher earnings they’ll receive. In other cases, they don’t factor in the time they take out of the workforce and the money spent returning to school for a year or two for a degree that may barely increase their earnings. Don’t earn a master’s degree in education to receive an extra one or two thousand dollars a year unless tuition reimbursement covers the cost of the classes. It is certainly a waste to go into debt for a degree that won’t increase your lifetime earnings.

Turning the Degree into Credentials for the Job They Want

Earning a degree does not mean you can automatically step into any job. In many states, you are required to complete licensing exams, whether to become a lawyer, registered nurse, anesthesiologist or a host of other positions. Research the certifications and credentials necessary to be hired with your new degree, and in some cases, you’ll need to verify that the school you want to attend is certified by the licensing body or your degree won’t count when you try to sit for the test. Some cases are outright insane, such as Louisiana requiring an exam to become a licensed florist and states that say you need a beautician to braid hair.

Don’t bother studying for a useless degree if it doesn’t add value to your future career.