Talking about the value of education is not a new topic, but with a growing population facing a national student loan crisis, emphasizing value is more important than ever. The country now has over $1.7 trillion in student loan debt, and 66% of graduate students take out loans for their secondary degrees (Hanson, Melanie. “Student Loan Debt Statistics” EducationData.org, 2024). You have to look for every opportunity to invest in yourself while balancing the costs and benefits of your career.
I’ll be the first to advocate for the value that a college education and graduate degree can have on your career. I graduated from college in 2012 and from law school in 2015. While I didn’t end up pursuing law as I expected, I firmly believe that my degrees have had a tremendous impact on my career, both in tangible and intangible ways. Through my graduate program, I harnessed a skill set I would not otherwise have. One that I have applied consistently throughout my career as an entrepreneur.
While what I learned in school was tangible, the relationships are intangible yet super important. These are relationships that are only possible by expanding your network with like-minded individuals who are also committed to growing themselves through education. I have first-hand experience with this, as I actually met the co-founder of my business in college, a relationship I can’t even begin to put a value on.
Growing up, I was taught that small and normally uncomplicated things separate you from the pack. While people look for a magic bullet that will help them grow their wealth or get that new job, I’ve found and experienced that deliberate consistent action is unbeatable. Most people will never actually take that sort of step. In their mind, the timing isn’t right, the resources aren’t there, or they think some magical set of circumstances will align to improve the timing. Most times, that magical alignment period isn’t coming, and you have to take the jump and figure out how to make it work. And you can. Responsibly investing in yourself consistently is the magic bullet.
To be clear, continuing your education can be expensive. But when you are at a crossroads in your career, it is important to weigh the benefits that a program can have, both tangible and intangible, against the cost. Finding options that are both affordable and high-quality can make this equation easier. My partner for this blog, the MBA programs at Kennesaw State University, is an example that strikes this balance with programs that are $20,000 - less than half of the national average tuition for an MBA, where programs can easily reach six figures. This substantial difference in cost doesn't just represent savings; it translates into reduced student loan debt, greater financial freedom, and a quicker return on investment for graduates. By choosing a more affordable yet reputable program like the KSU MBA, students can achieve their career goals without the overwhelming financial strain, thereby significantly impacting their personal and professional lives.
If you don’t invest in yourself, it is hard to expect other people or organizations to. When at a pivotal moment in your career, take the time to weigh your options, remembering that there can be both tangible and intangible benefits to expanding your knowledge set, meeting new people, and emerging ready to take on the ever-competitive world. You deserve it, and in the end, it will absolutely be worth it.
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I’ll be reflecting on these topics over the next few weeks and am excited to be working with the Kennesaw State University MBA Program as a thought partner. You can learn more about their program here and if interested, attend one of their information sessions here. If applying, you can also use my code “MBA062024” to waive your application fee.
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