The Value of Education in a Down Economy

Public Sector Prospects

A small number of industries in the U.S. are bucking the trend of the current economic slowdown. The public sector is still strong, particularly in management and education positions for which a Bachelors degree is a minimum requirement.

Government jobs in general are showing resistance to the continued weakness of the economy. The hires rate (number of hires as a percentage of total employment) in government positions has so far remained constant at 1% for 2003 and job security in government employment is good for well-qualified individuals who are willing to learn and improve their knowledge.

Opportunities in Education

The previous teacher shortage has been alleviated slightly by the generally poor labor market but there are still opportunities for anyone with the relevant qualifications to succeed and progress. The education sector is keen to keep qualified teachers within the profession so higher qualifications are a distinct advantage. Schools offering distance-learning packages for adults recognize the need for their programs to be topical and up-to-date. In all programs, the emphasis is on readily applicable knowledge that can be put into practice in the workplace. The emphasis is on immediate impact and value. The changing situation in education is partly due to the higher starting salaries that are now being offered. For the school year 2001-02, the average beginning teacher salary was $30,719, up 3.2% on the previous year, while the average salary for a teacher was up 2.7% to $44,367.

Online Study

The rapid rise in Internet use means that learning is more accessible than ever. More than half the nation is now online and new users are connecting at a rate of 2 million per month. Online programs can usually be completed much faster than at a traditional university. In many cases, previous qualifications, experience and military training will count as credits and speed up attainment of a degree. Online learning and flexible hours mean that anyone with access to the Internet can take advantage of the opportunities on offer to develop their resume.

The Time and the Means

Public sector employers are increasingly encouraging employees to expand their education because they recognize the value to their organization of someone with a working knowledge of the latest concepts, methods and practices. Many offer flexible working hours and subsidized tuition costs. The schools might also offer assistance with tuition costs. Military personnel are looked upon particularly favorably in this respect and there are a number of ways in which they can finance their degree and many schools offer discounts specifically aimed at encouraging military personnel to enroll.

Safe and Secure

Job security and satisfaction are equally important to most people. Having a degree that gives a competitive advantage in a chosen career is a way of ensuring the benefit from both those factors. By continuing or commencing a higher education, individuals can further their careers, or even change its direction entirely, to take advantage of the areas in which opportunities are greatest.

There is a wide range of online formats designed to allow adults to continue their education and turn their knowledge into real career opportunities. Finding the right online degree is the first step to a new future.



About the Author:

A freelance writer, Karin Evans has most recently worked for a government agency researching and writing reports to inform policy. Her previous experience includes sales and marketing at Cambridge University and four years of teaching. She has graduate and doctoral degrees in English Language and Literature with a concentration in cultural studies.