Disadvantages of Not Having a High School Diploma
A high school diploma may not seem like a big deal when you're 16, but as you age you'll start to see the importance of that single piece of paper. When your future job prospects, earning potential and even self esteem are impacted by not having a high school diploma, you may take your education more seriously. While high school can be difficult and socially exhausting, you'll be glad you finished when you realize the benefit your diploma has in your life.
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Job Prospects
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Depending on your career aspirations, certain industries and companies simply require a high school diploma at minimum if you want to be hired. Without a high school diploma, you severely limit the types of jobs that you can have. Without a diploma, you may be stuck working in a trades, retail or restaurant job that you hate without a way to get out. A high school diploma opens an entire world of career options, job opportunities and ways to increase your wealth and further your career.
Earning Potential
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Robert E. Wise, author of "Raising the Grade," points out that households headed by someone with a high school diploma will amass 10 times more wealth than a household headed by a high school dropout. For every $100 a dropout earns, a high school graduate will have earned $1,000. This can be attributed to a variety of factors, including job prospects, socioeconomic status and money management and other skills.
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Post-Secondary Education
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A college graduate has the potential to earn much more than a high school graduate, but you need the high school diploma or equivalent to get there. Colleges will require transcripts and records of your education before admitting you to the program of your choice. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates that as of 2009, 70 percent of high school graduates went on to a post-secondary education, flooding the job market with applicants that are better qualified than someone who is a high school dropout.
Self Esteem
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Earning your high school diploma is a huge achievement in your life, which is why it can give you a self-esteem boost when you've finally conquered and accepted your diploma. Telling a prospective employer that you don't have the education or skills needed to do a certain job can be an embarrassing and belittling experience. Having that diploma in hand lets you know that you finished school and can tackle the next chapter in your life.
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References
- Photo Credit young graduate girl with heap of papers image by Konstantin Sutyagin from Fotolia.com
