While there are several entry-level jobs available to those without a degree, someone who has earned a degree will have more professional and promotional opportunities to higher level positions. Forbes magazine journalist Rob Farrington says in an article that college education is important because it makes up for "[w]here public education [has] failed." Farrington states that high school graduates of this generation are "graduating without the skill set needed to succeed in today's economy." He mentions that certain skills employers look for are communication and problem-solving skills, which most high school graduates now lack. He believes that a college education can equip students with these vital skills that they failed to develop through high school.
Having more career paths to choose from due to a college education allows for career freedom. College graduates can use their knowledge and skills acquired from college across a wide spectrum of industries and organizations. On the other hand, someone without a degree has less flexibility and limited options for his or her career path and would have to settle for low-level jobs in non-skilled positions ("How Does a College Degree Help Your Career?"). This career freedom directly results in college graduates being satisfied with their careers ("Benefits of Earning a College Degree"). It is easy to see that a college graduate would be much happier having a job that he or she is interested in, unlike those without a college education, who may have a jobs not because they are interested in it, but because they do not have another choice. .
Since 1991, college enrollment in the USA has increased over forty-five percent ("Fast Facts"). Because a college education is becoming more and more common, most employers now require employees to possess a college degree. New York Times journalist Catherine Rampell reports that even jobs for the lowest level positions now require at least a bachelor's.
