Is the Tassel Worth the Hassle??

Let's role play, shall we? Okay, let's say you are a high school senior. As you begin the college application process, your parents come to you and say, "We used your college fund to buy a timeshare at the beach. Good luck!" You got this! Now you have a lot of [[important decisions]] to make.

Here are a few scenarios: You study for the ACT and SAT and take college prep classes to prepare you for the next chapter. Based on your exam scores and grades, you have earned the Hope Scholarship which now pays 100% tuition to an [[in-state, public university]]. or You have no idea what you want to do. College major? No clue, so your guidance counselor suggests you seek admittance to a [[technical college]] to learn a skill and obtain a certification. or You need a break. You decide to take a [[gap year]] and work to save money before you decide what's next. or You really want to get away from your parents and get out of South Georgia. You want to see the world, but you also want to make a positive contribution to your country at the same time! You decide to enlist in the [[military]] to serve your country for at least four years. or You just want to [[marry a rich farmer]] and snap beans for his lunch and have his babies.

You qualify for the Hope Scholarship, but that award covers tuition only. Now you must decide where to apply. For each school, you have to factor in possible majors, acceptance rates, cost of housing and fees, average ACT/SAT scores, and of course, job placement rates upon graduation among many others. After you research, visit, and apply, you narrow down your choices to the following: [[Commit to the G!]] [[Go Blazers!]] [[Gee Haw - Whoa Back!]]

Four, six, or eight more years of college is not for you! You want something more hands-on and a program that you can complete in a shorter amount of time, yet still make good money. You look into going to the local technical college. Which career choice is right for you? [[Cosmetologist]] [[Welder]] [[Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Paramedic)]]

You decide you need a job. You want to earn and save some money. However, since all you have is a high school diploma, the only jobs you are qualified for are minimum wage jobs or low-entry level jobs. [[Fast Food Burger Flipper or Restaurant Waitress/Waiter]] [[Grounds Maintenance Worker]] [[Clerical Office worker]] [[Construction Worker]] [[Retail Sales Worker]]

The average total salary for a Grounds Maintenance worker in Georgia is $27,000 per year. This salary may vary depending on location, education, and level of experience. [[Fun Fact]]

The average total salary for a Construction Worker is $39,000 per year. This may vary depending on location, education, and level of experience. [[Fun Fact]]

The average total salary for a Clerical Office worker in Georgia is $34,000 per year. This salary may vary depending on location and level of educaiton and experience. [[Fun Fact]]

You have chosen Valdosta State University - Go Blazers! This school has an acceptance rate of 76% according to niche.com. The cost of tuition has been covered because you have fulfilled the HOPE (ZELL) eligibility requirements. You have successfully taken a full load of 12+ hours each semester and maintained the required GPA. However, you chose to live off campus for all four years, and along with VSU fees and other living expenses, you will be graduating with a student debt somewhere between $62,000 and $73,920. Ouch! Do not worry - [[You got yourself a degree, Honey!]] Whoop, whoop! or You finally got our from under your parent's helicopter - God bless - and had yourself a reeeeallll good time, if you know what I mean. However, your grades paid the consequence, and you lost your scholarship, so you are taking a [[few semesters off just to work.]]

You have chosen Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Home of the Stallions! This school has an acceptance rate of 76% according to niche.com. The cost of tuition has been covered because you have fulfilled the HOPE (ZELL) eligibility requirements. You have successfully taken a full load of 12+ hours each semester and maintained the required GPA. However, you chose to live off campus for all four years, and along with ABAC's fees and other living expenses, you will be graduating with a student debt somewhere between $55,000 and $60,000. Ouch! You have completed four glorious years at ABAC and are now graduating on time. You consider yourself lucky because you now have a degree and will be raking in the big bucks - let the adulting begin! Your degree from ABAC is in one of the following careers: [[Nursing]] [[Business]] [[Agriculture Education]] OR... You did not graduate because once you finally got our from under your parent's helicopter - God bless - you had yourself a reeeeallll good time, if you know what I mean. However, your grades paid the consequence, and you lost your scholarship, so you are taking a [[few semesters off just to work.]]

You have chosen the University of Georgia, the birthplace of public higher education! This school has an acceptance rate of 40% according to niche.com. The cost of tuition has been covered because you have fulfilled the HOPE (ZELL) eligibility requirements. You have successfully taken a full load of 12+ hours each semester and maintained the required GPA. However, you had to live on campus freshman year and have the meal plan. Sophomore thru senior year, you chose to live in a nice but not too luxury apartment semi-close to campus, so along with fees and other living expenses, you will be graduating with a student debt somewhere between $60,000 and $77,000. Ouch! Do not worry - [[You got yourself a degree!]] Whoop, whoop! or You finally got out from under your parent's helicopter - God bless - and had yourself a reeeeallll good time, if you know what I mean. However, your grades paid the consequence, and you lost your scholarship, so you are taking a [[few semesters off just to work.]]

You decide you need a job because now you have to pay back those students loans, and you don't even have a degree to show for it. However, since all you have is a high school diploma, the only jobs that do not require a degree, certificate, or license. Here are a few of yoiur choices below: [[Fast Food Burger Flipper or Restaurant Waitress/Waiter]] [[Grounds Maintenance Worker]] [[Clerical Office worker]] [[Construction Worker]] [[Retail Sales Worker]]

The average total salary for a Retail Store Clerk in Georgia is $27,000 per year. Retail sales worker's salary can vary between $16,000 to $49,000 depending on factors including education, skills, experience, employer & location. [[Fun Fact]]

The average salary for a fast food employee in Georgia is $20,500 per year. Fast food employee salaries in Georgia can vary between $15,500 to $37,000 and depend on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more. [[Fun Fact]]

You have completed four glorious years at VSU and are now graduating on time. You consider yourself lucky because you now have a degree and will be raking in the big bucks - let the adulting begin! Your degree is in one of the following careers: [[Nursing]] [[Education]] [[Psychology]] [[Business]]

Congrats! You have just landed yourself a job in the field of psychology. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, a little less than half of the occupations in this field require a [[graduate degree]], but the median wage for this job field is between $50,000 and $60,000.

Congrats! You have just landed a job in secondary English education, and according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the national median wage is $61,820 per year. However, if you want to make that salary a little bit sooner than later, plan to pursure a higher degree. Do your research before you settle in to teach in a particular state; each state has a different pay scale based on number of years and level of education. Once you begin building retirement, it is difficult to change states. Trust me!!! But go get that graduate degree, baby! [[Fun Fact]]

You and Donald Earl are living the good life - big farm house, big SUV, big family. Then one day you catch Donald Earl in bed with your babies' Sunday School teacher - the hussy! Now you have some decisions to make. You have no job experience and no education. What are you going to do?? Forgive [[Donald Earl]] and stay with his lying a$$ for the sake of the babies. Or [[get a divorce and take half]].

Congrats! You have just landed a R.N. job, and according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the national median wage is $77,600 per year. [[Fun Fact]]

Congrats! You have just landed a job as a loan officer at a local bank, and according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the national median wage is $63,380 per year. [[Fun Fact]]

Congrats! You have just landed an Ag. Ed. job in Georgia, and according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the annual mean wage is $115, 230. Hang in there! You will be making that in no time! [[Fun Fact]]

You have completed four glorious years at UGA and are now graduating on time. You consider yourself lucky because you now have a degree and will be raking in the big bucks - let the adulting begin! Your degree is in one of the following careers: [[Finance]] - "What's worth doing is worth doing for money."- //Wall Street//, the movie [[Management Sciences and Information Systems]] - It's the bridge that links business and technology! - Donnie Smith, aka, my big brother :) [[Biology]] - "Science is fun." - Sally Ride [[Agriculture Education]] - UGA's School of Agriculture is ranked #3 in the nation behind Cornell and Texas A&M. - //Niche.com//

Congrats! With your degree in Finance, you have just landed a job as a financial analyst, and according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the national median wage is $95,570. [[Fun Fact]]

With a Psychology degree in hand, you now have to decide the next chapter which is graduate school. Here are your choices: [[Marriage and Family Therapists]] [[Rehabilitation Counselor]] [[School and Career Counselors]]

Congrats! You have made it! You have just landed a job as a marriage and family therapist! You have racked up quite a bit of student loan debt, but do not worry, you will be making the median annual salary of per year according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. [[Fun Fact]]

Congrats! You have made it! You have just landed a job as a marriage and family therapist, and according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median annual salary is $38,560 per year. [[Fun Fact]]

Congrats! You have made it! You have just landed a job as a school and career counelor. You have racked up quite a bit of student loan debt, but do not worry, you will be making the median annual salary is $60,510 per year according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. [[Fun Fact]]

Congrats! You have just landed yourself a job in the field of biology. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, a little more than half of the occupations in this field require a graduate degree, but the median wage for this job field is $65,000. Now you have to decide if you want to pursue graduate school. Here are your choices: [[Genetic Counselors]] [[Physical Therapists]] [[Dentists]] [[Pharmacist]]

Congrats! With your degree in Management Information Systems from UGA, you have just landed a job as a computer and information systems manager, and according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the national annual median wage is $159,010 per year. Yes!! [[Fun Fact]]

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, genetic counselors assess clients' risks for a variety of inherited conditions, such as birth defects. Congrats! You have just completed your master's program. You will be making $81,050 in no time! [[Fun Fact]]

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, physical therapists "help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain." Congrats! You have just have just completed your doctoral program. You have racked up quite a bit of student loan debt, but do not worry, you will be making $95,620 in no time! [[Fun Fact]]

With your Biology Degree in hand, you have chosen to attend dental school. Over your four years of dental school, you have learned to diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. Do not worry about all that student loan debt because the median salary of dentists in the United States is $163,220 according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. [[Fun Fact]]

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, pharmacists "dispense prescription medications and provide information to patients about the drugs and their use." Congrats! You have just have just completed your 3-year doctoral program. You have racked up quite a bit of student loan debt, but do not worry, you will be making $128,570 in no time! Yaaaaassssss! [[Fun Fact]]

According to the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology, a Cosmetology Apprentice requires a minimum of 18 months and 3000 hours. The average Cosmetologist salary in Georgia is $27,801 as of June 26, 2023, but the range typically falls between $23,101 and $34,201. [[Fun Fact]]

So you have decided to become a welder - good for you! A welding program usually lasts six months to a year, depending on the program. According to the American Welders Society's website, "The fastest way to become a welder is by attending a technical school and earning a welding certificate." After passing your certification exam, you are on way to making $47,010 per year according to the //Occupational Outlook Handbook// on bls.gov. [[Fun Fact]]

An EMT program of study will typically last approximately 8 months. However, some schools such as Georgia Institute of EMS offer flex plans where you can finish anywhere from 8 weeks up to 12 months, working at your pace. Once completed, you must pass a certification test and you will be on your way to earning $36,930 per year. [[Fun Fact]]

[[Air Force]] [[Marines]] [[Army]] [[Navy]]

Congrats! You have fulfilled your committment to your country and while you were enlisted, you obtained your degree in [[Nursing]]. With military experience and a degree, you are on your way!

Congrats! You have fulfilled your committment to your country and while you were enlisted, you obtained your degree in [[Finance]]. With military experience and a degree, you are on your way!

Congrats! You have fulfilled your committment to your country and while you were enlisted, you obtained your degree in [[Education]]. With military experience and a degree, you are on your way!

Congrats! You have fulfilled your committment to your country and while you were enlisted, you obtained your degree in [[Psychology]]. With military experience and a degree, you are on your way!

You decided to stick it out with Donald Earl. You have no education, no retirement, no freedom, and no independence. Well, bless your heart! [[Fun Fact]]

''Fun fact about Education and Lifetime Earnings: '' * Men and women with bachelor's degrees earn approximately ''$630,000 - $900,000 more ''in median lifetime earnings than high school graduates. * Menand women with graduate degrees earn'' $1.1 million- $1.5 million more'' in median lifetime earnings than high school graduates. Now think about it: //Is the tassel worth the hassle?? // Source: //United States Social Security Administration/ssa.gov//

You need your independence fast, so you look for a job that works with your kids' schedules and does not require any college - something like a [[Clerical Office worker]] might work. But... If Aunt Linda Faye will watch the kids, you could go back to school. You kind of want something that works around your kids' schedules because those babies come first. You decide on obtaining an [[Education]] degree. But if you divorce, and Donald Earl gets behind on his child support, you may want a career that makes more money, so you look into a [[Nursing]] program.