In my opinion, becoming more educated is the most important thing we can do for our lives and future. According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, being considered educated means “students should leave school with a deep understanding of who they are and how they fit into the world, and have learned what some call ‘soft skills’ (complex problem-solving, creativity, entrepreneurship, the ability to manage themselves, and the ability to be lifelong learners)”.
On the other hand, an uneducated person is defined as “someone who has not completed high school or received any form of education beyond high school”. In other words, an uneducated person would be someone who did not further their education after completing high school.
There are several key differences between an educated and uneducated person in America. First and foremost, an educated person has a higher chance of getting a job that pays more than minimum wage. They are also more likely to get a job that offers health insurance and other benefits.
Furthermore, an educated person is more likely to be able to get a job that they are passionate about, whereas an uneducated person is more likely to end up in a job that they hate just to pay the bills. Finally, an educated person is more likely to be able to vote and have a say in the democratic process.
It is unfortunate that not every American can receive the education they need or want. This leads to a divide in our country between those who are educated and those who are not. We can further evaluate this split by looking at economic power, social status, and mentality.
High school is the last place where people shouldered by government receive basic and formal education. In other words, high school diploma guarantees certain level of literacy and calculation ability. After high school, some people may choose to attend college while others enter the workforce directly.
College not only broadens one’s horizon but also equip students with more professional skills. The average salaries of educated group are usually much higher than that of uneducated group. They can have better access to information and resources, which gives them an edge in job market competition.
In terms of social status, the chasm between educated and uneducated people is getting wider and wider. According to a research conducted by Pew Research Center, “About four-in-ten (42%) of those who have not attended college say they socialize with people from different income levels only occasionally or not at all, compared with just 24% of college graduates.”
In other words, educated people are more likely to associate with people from different walks of life, which broadens their perspective and makes them more open-minded. On the contrary, uneducated people tend to be more isolated in their own social circle.
In addition, mentality is another important difference between educated and uneducated people. People who receive formal education are usually more independent and critical. They can think independently and have their own opinions on various issues. On the other hand, uneducated people are more likely to follow the crowd and be influenced by others.
We often link being educated with making more money and having better business opportunities. And while it’s true that people who have gone through higher education do have an edge in the workforce, we can’t forget about those who don’t fall into that category. According to Business Insider, the unemployment rate for individuals without a high school diploma is 14.2%. That number drops significantly to 4.2% for adults with a college degree.
However, being educated does not only apply to business and money. It is also a state of mind. Educated people are those who have learned how to think critically and for themselves. They know how to find answers and ask the right questions. They are curious and always want to learn more. On the other hand, uneducated people tend to take everything at face value. They do not question what they hear or see, and they are content with what they know.
So which one is better? There is no clear answer. It all depends on what you want in life. If you want to be successful in business, then you need to be educated. But if you just want to be happy and content with your life, then being uneducated might be better for you.
Most educated individuals have a certificate proving their formal education, and this is what matters most to employers. As a result, they are able to make more money as they gain more opportunities to work in well-paying jobs. The typical income of someone with an associate’s degree is $36,684 per year, whereas the potential earnings for someone with a graduate degree are $63,936 annually.
On the other hand, those who did not finish high school earn an average of $23,287 annually and are more likely to experience long spells of unemployment.
In addition to making more money, educated people also have better health and live longer. A study done by the National Bureau of Economic Research showed that every year of education one receives increases their life expectancy by 0.18 years.
Furthermore, going to school can help improve your mental health as it provides a sense of structure and social interaction that can be beneficial for those suffering from mental illness. Finally, being educated has been shown to make you a more active citizen as you are more likely to vote and participate in jury duty.
While there are many advantages to being educated, there are also some disadvantages. One of the biggest disadvantages is the amount of debt that you can rack up in order to pay for school. According to The Institute for College Access & Success, the average student loan debt for someone with a bachelor’s degree was $28,400 in 2012.
This can be a huge burden for many people and make it difficult to save up for things like a house or a car. In addition, getting an education can take up a lot of time and energy that could be spent doing other things. For example, if you are working while going to school full-time, you may not have as much time to spend with your family or friends.
Despite the advantages and disadvantages of being educated, it is clear that there are more benefits than drawbacks to having a formal education. If you have the opportunity to get an education, it is something that you should consider taking advantage of.