A little bit goes a long way....

I've been reading the news a lot online lately which is something I used to do a lot before I was thrown into two jobs that consume every second of my life.

This past weekend I read an article that I found very interseting about college students. Being that I, like many of you, am a college student, I figured that I would share this interesting article with you!

It was an article on the top ten best jobs for two-year degrees. Many high school students beat themselves up over the decision on whether they should attend college or not. Do I go to a four year university to obtain a degree or should I just opt for a two year degree...should I not go at all? Is it even for me?

College of any kind is always a good decision and although it will be beneficial to you in the long run, four years of your life can consume an awful lot of time and money that you may not have. The point that CNN made was that very few majors can offer financial return that is going to offset the financial debt that most students (myself included) obtain over 4 years.

A two year degree, or an Associate's degree can be obtained in half the time for half the cost because in order to get an Associate's you don't need to attend a four year university. The other point that CNN made was that in having an associate's it puts you at the "halfway point" of a four year degree, should you opt to further your education later in life.

Workers with associate degrees on average earn more money than their counterparts with high school degrees. Anthony Balderrama of Careerbuilder said, "according to the U.S. Census Bureau, over a 40-year period, high school graduates will earn a total of $1.2 million, while workers with associate degrees will earn $1.6 million."

According to Anthony Balderrama and Careerbuilder, the top ten best jobs for two-year degrees are:

1. Computer specialists Median annual wage: $71,510

Current Employment: 136,000 Projected 2016 employment increase: 15 percent

2. Dental hygienists Median annual wage: $64,740

Current Employment: 167,000 Projected 2016 employment increase: 30 percent

3. Fashion designers Median annual wage: $62,810

Current Employment: 20,000 Projected 2016 employment increase: 5 percent

4. Registered nursesMedian annual wage: $60,010

Current Employment: 2,505,000 Projected 2016 employment increase: 23 percent

5. Environmental engineering technicians Median annual wage: $ 40,560

Current Employment: 21,000 Projected 2016 employment increase: 25 percent

6. Radiologic technologists and techniciansMedian annual wage: $50,260

Current Employment: 196,000 Projected 2016 employment increase: 15 percent

7. Industrial engineering techniciansMedian annual wage: $47,490

Current Employment: 75,000 Projected 2016 employment increase: 10 percent

8. Paralegals and legal assistants Median annual wage: $44,990

Current Employment: 238,000 Projected 2016 employment increase: 22 percent

9. Occupational therapist assistantsMedian annual wage: $45,050

Current Employment: 25,000 Projected 2016 employment increase: 25 percent

10. Computer support specialists Median annual wage: $42,400

Current Employment: 552,000 Projected 2016 employment increase: 13 percent

College may not be for everyone, but if you can find a great job that pays well and only have to put in half the time you would at a university, don't you think that makes it worth something? I love being at my university and I know that I have barely any money and I'm an extremely broke college student (like the majority of us) but its a decision I'm happy I made! Don't look at college as a continuation of high school, look at it as a great start to a successful future!

Even if you don't attend for four full years, you can still have better benefits than if you were to just not attend at all. Don't short yourself just because you feel like its a waste of your time. I promise you that you'll love it!!

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