6 Reasons You Need To Finish Your College Degree Now

by | Oct 26, 2022

So, you started your journey to obtaining your college degree, and then all of a sudden life happened. You may have changed jobs, had to care for your family, moved, had children, or were just overwhelmed. Whatever the reason, now is a good time to finish what you started. Let’s examine some of the many positives to attaining your degree:

Increase your lifetime earning potential

Individuals with bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees make more money over their lifetimes than those who do not have degrees. Money Magazine reports, “the return on investment for a college degree is substantial – worth upwards of $800,000 or more in increased earnings over a lifetime.”

Become recession-proof by upgrading your job skills

With the right job skills, you can ensure finding a job regardless of how the economy is performing. Perhaps you have become stagnant in your current job, and you want to broaden your job opportunities, or maybe you have a dream to start your own business. Completing your degree enables you to navigate a recession with greater success. Bluefield University offers a number of degrees that are recession proof as identified by CNBC including nursing, criminal justice, early childhood education, and mental health counseling.

Remain competitive in your field

Signs indicate the job market may be shrinking making competition for jobs more intense. Harvard Business Review reported that in some sectors, the workforce is jittery about layoffs after 40,000 people recently lost their jobs in the U.S. tech sector. Perhaps, layoffs are not happening in your industry yet, but you can be more confident about your future with a degree.

Change your work situation

Working from home may be appealing to you. Forbes magazine reports that work from home is here to stay and we will likely see increases in 2023. Earning a college degree can open more opportunities for you to set your own work schedule. Your company may not offer a work-from-home option, but they are more plentiful than ever.

Gain more self-esteem and confidence

Earning a college degree can help you feel more confident. That confidence can lead to more successful job interviews and networking opportunities. Through your university, you can connect with alumni who are working in your field. Earning a degree can make you feel more self-confident in your interactions with other professionals in your work and personal life.

Switching careers may be part of your future

Have you reached the point in your career where you are considering a change to another industry or field? Approximately 53% of Americans who quit their jobs last year were changing careers according to CNBC. Have you always dreamed of starting your own business, or leaving a high-stress field for another opportunity? A degree from Bluefield University can open the door to a new career that leads to fulfilling your dreams.

 

With over 100 years in Christian higher education, Bluefield University serves students with degree programs that enable them to go further. With a caring faculty and supportive staff, students receive personalized one-on-one support with a personal success coach throughout their online degree program. To get started in a Bluefield University degree program today, please visit our admissions page today or email [email protected].

Do I only apply once?

  • No. Students must apply each academic year for the fall semester and submit the necessary documents.

Do I have to take the classes specified in the Associate's Degree tracks as they are listed on the information sheet?

  • No. Students may take any of the courses that are offered in a given term.

Where do I find the textbook listing, and where do I purchase the books?

  • Log in to myBU, and under the "Student" tab, you will find a list of the textbooks required (if any) for each course. Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks.

How long is a semester?

  • Our semesters are divided into two 8-week terms.

Is there an orientation?

  • Yes. Students can attend an orientation session that explains how to access courses, how to register for classes, and answers other questions.

Where can I find a course description?

Does the student need to take the SAT or ACT in order to take Dual Enrollment classes?

  • No. If a student decides to study at BU full time, BU is currently test-optional for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

Are the classes live? Do students need to log in and participate at certain times?

  • Classes are offered online, so a student can log-on and study at their convenience and their own pace. Students have assignments due each week; you can complete your assignments at any point in time before the deadline.

Does an Early College student need to come to campus for anything?

  • No. However, we would love to have you visit our campus if you are interested in continuing with traditional on-campus study. Students who complete their associate's degree have the option to walk at our commencement ceremony.

Are Early College students able to receive Financial Aid?

  • No. However, Early College courses are very affordable compared to other options. The cost for an online Dual Enrollment course is $100 per credit hour.

How do transferring credits work?

  • Each College or University completes a transcript review in order to decide which courses transfer. Sticking to general education classes generally makes transferring credits simple. All Early College courses at Bluefield University are general education classes that should transfer to another accredited institution.

Is an Early College student considered, and treated, as a transfer student when they become a full-time college student if they have earned enough credits to be a Junior?

  • No. Since they have not graduated from high school, they are considered a first-time college student regardless of how many credits transfer. However, by transferring credits when they enroll as a full-time student, they will have to take fewer classes to receive their bachelor's degree, which shortens the length of time to earn the degree.

Can I speak to someone if I have more questions?

  • Yes. Please contact the Office of Admissions by email or you can call them at 276.326.4231

 

Meet our core Counseling faculty

Dr. Challen Mabry

Assistant Professor of Counseling

Dr. Kristen Moran

Associate Professor of Counseling

Brandy Smith

Assistant Professor of Education & Counseling,
Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling Program,
Title IX Confidential Counselor

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