A Message for All Teens: Continue Your Education! It's Of More Value Than You Might believe

Lots of teens drop out of high school these days, for a variety of reasons and the dropout rate is increasing dramatically. Those who graduate from high school often don't continue on to college, with financial constraints typically the reason. Besides, teens don't generally embrace the value of higher education and how it might impact their life and ability to have a significantly better future. Many teens are eager to go out and get a job, albeit at minimum wage. Does this shoe fit your sentiments?

It's unfortunate that, although most parents try to convey the value to be had when you continue your education in college, you might just interpret these frequent discussions as that same old boring lecture. At your age, the future is a faraway, imaginary point. You may rationalize that you have 'plenty of time' for continuing education – later, at some undefined point in time. You can't imagine turning thirty, finding yourself still in a minimum wage job, or being married, with children and a family to support. Unfortunately, this is most often the way things turn out if you do not continue your education.

While your income remains stagnant, your expenses are far greater than when you were young and single. In order to make ends meet, you and your spouse will both need to work. Remember that day care is not cheap.

Here's a plan you might want to consider to avoid this unenviable position.

1. If you dropped out of high school, get your GED. Your local Department of Human Resources can help you get in touch with organizations to achieve this first step to continue your education.

2. If you have a high school diploma, get a catalog of classes from your local community college. Make an appointment with a counselor for advice on how to proceed, depending on your goal and interests. Ask about financial aid. If you have no specific field in mind, you should look into aptitude tests, which serve to show subjects or fields for which you have natural ability, as well as those you would most enjoy.

Your counselor can put together a list of classes which will fulfill the core requirements of an A.A. or A.S. degree program and for which the credits will be transferable to a four year college. Most community colleges now have online continuing education courses, giving you a lot of latitude in scheduling your coursework around your work schedule.

3. Continuing education certificate programs can usually be completed in less than a year. There are an abundance of certificate programs in the medical field which can easily double your current income and get you some benefits, such as medical insurance and paid vacations, which your minimum wage job does not afford you. Some examples of medical certificate programs include Licensed Vocational Nurse and Pharmacy or X-ray technician. When you get your certification, you may be able to use this as a springboard to a higher degree and even better pay, with some employers sponsoring your continuing education! By now, you can begin to see that, when you make the effort to continue your education, the rewards can be great.

4. If you share an apartment or house with roommates, this naturally reduces your expenses, making the situation an affordable way to work while attending school. Taking online classes makes the strategy even easier.

5. Rome wasn't built in a day. So too, you can continue your education at your own pace. Consistent effort is what's needed. If you take just one or two classes each quarter, you will reach your goal.

This plan does work. So, to all teens: it pays to continue your education. It's not so difficult as you might think. You'll be in a far better position before you're 25!