Week 11 post 1

While reading this chapter, I could not help but relate to table 18.4 on page 514. This table discusses the percentage of high school and college students in the US and how the number of diplomas is increasing. I figured that most people my age have a high school diploma, the text claims 85% overall which increased 3.6% in 8 years. From here, the table analyzes associate degree diplomas and Bachelor's degree diplomas. The overall percentage of associate diplomas is 7.5%, only up 1.4% from 2000 and 28% have Bachelor's degrees, a 4% increase. The 28% surprises me because I would have guess this number to be much higher since there is a huge push for high school students to graduate and attend college. I was always told that a college degree will help me get a job no matter what field. Is that true? Not necessarily as I am finding out. Another statistic that surprises me is that Hispanic Americans have the lowest percentage of all types of diplomas and Asian Americans have the highest percentage in Bachelor's diplomas by far. I did not realize how high the percentage of college dropouts were, but the text states "even a little higher education seems to advance cognition," (Berger, 515).
College helps students focus in on a particular subject of interest. Most students study what they believe they will love to do or think they will be successful at. I continued my education in the sciences because I loved high school chemistry and biology and I am good at it. I am good at it because the subject matter interests me to a large degree. I also believe having a degree in biology will take me to my ultimate career goal of being an anesthetist. I will admit, however, that I debated about dropping out a few years ago because I wanted to work more than I wanted to study, but I am glad I talked myself into continuing my education. I feel I am much better off with what I have learned so far, not just in schooling, but in life. College his, overall, taught me a lot of very useful skills that I will carry with me long after I walk out of Caputo for the last time. I am excited to see where my skills take me in life!

Berger, K. S. (2011) The Developing Person Through the Life Span. New York: Worth Publishers.