By Michael Harris | Observer Contributor
Going back to school is a big decision for some. According to statistics from US News & World Report, 1 in 3 first-year students will not make it back for their sophomore year. Many people start school and end up having to drop out due to family, academic struggles, and or financial stress.
According to the National Student Clearinghouse, an estimated rate of only 56% of those enrolled in college will graduate with a degree within 6 years. This statistic didn’t include students who transfer to other schools, equaling about 25% of the total students surveyed.
Evan Mattison, 23, of Leominster, recently made the decision to re-enroll at the Mount for this upcoming fall semester. He left school almost five years ago due to a need to work at the time. He currently works full-time for a local grocery store and just came to decide, “I wasn’t happy with where I am currently, and I felt it was time for a change.”
Mattison is excited to returning saying, “I know what I want to do now, I was unsure when I was last enrolled here at the Mount, but I now know I want to work through the legal studies program and eventually go to school and become a lawyer.”
Another new student this semester, Joshua Grullon, 24 ,of Leominster, is also happy to be back in school. He recently enrolled for the first time in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Pre-Engineering track here at Mount Wachusett Community College. He is excited to finish in a maximum of 2 years, taking both cycle 1 and cycle 2 classes.
Grullon said, “My major is liberal arts and pre-engineering. I’ve been out of school for about 5 years, and I’ve decided to come back because I want a great job, not just some full time job but a job where my daughter, Arianna and I can live very comfortably.
While some degrees may not guarantee employment, a Pew Research Center report showed that graduates with at least a bachelor’s degree had a median salary of $45,500 compared to that of a high school diploma median $30,000.
Although graduation doesn’t guarantee success, going back to and graduating with at least a bachelor’s degree can open up many doors that were previously closed. According to data from the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 44% of college graduates were working in jobs that don’t require a degree.
If you’re contemplating returning to school, take it from those who have finished and can look back on its impact. For both the baby boomer and Gen X generations, the Pew Research Center reports that over 85% of college educated adults from those generations believe it paid off or will pay off given their investment.
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