Northwest Florida State College students Karen and Richard Strong are passionate about education.
The Holt area couple are working toward their Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, according to an NWF State spokesperson.
Despite having earned a number of certificates and degrees, Richard's going for one last degree — this time, public safety — and his wife, who already had an associate degree, will receive her B.A.S. in human resources.
Continuing their education wasn't a hard sell, they said.
It's so true, Richard told the college spokesperson, that he has a message to young people: basically, stay in school, work hard and go to college.
It makes sense.
United States citizens earning less than a high school diploma potentially earn less than those with additional education and certifications, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' latest data.
Check out these median weekly earnings, according to the BLS:
•Less than a high school diploma, $472
•High school diploma, $651
•Some college, no degree, $727
•Associate degree, $777
•Bachelor's degree, $1,108
•Master's degree, $1,329
•Professional degree, $1,714
•Doctoral degree, $1,623
Not only that, the unemployment gap narrows as education heightens.
Unemployment rate by education is as follows, according to the BLS:
•Less than a high school diploma, 11 percent
•High school diploma, 7.5 percent
•Some college, no degree, 7 percent
•Associate degree, 5.4 percent
•Bachelor's degree, 4 percent
•Master's degree, 3.4 percent
•Professional degree, 2.3 percent
•Doctoral degree, 2.2 percent
Granted, your pre-tax income may not look like this despite all your degrees.
And if you're a millenial, it might be more difficult to get a job due to several factors.
Time Magazine cites a survey by the Workforce Solutions Group at St. Louis Community College; according to results, 60 percent of employers said applicants just lack basic job skills. So they might have the education, but they can't communicate effectively, dress or act professionally.
In a past job, I dealt with that a lot: Thinking that being asked to perform a task was an option. Reporting to work in flip-flops or glassy-eyed. Bemoaning bills, birth control and other personal issues that have no place of discussion in a workplace. Not completing tasks or flat out telling a supervisor, "I'm not doing this, but I'm doing this…" (Can't stress enough how this was another job in another state.)
I've read stories in trade magazines about millenials bringing their parents to a job interview. It's what happens when you win a trophy for being part of the team or get a gold star "just for being special" — i.e., without having earned it. (OK, that last part's just my soapbox.)
Just some thoughts to ponder.
In other words, back to the daily grind and usual problems, which might be a refreshing change after the unusual destruction we witnessed during last week's record flooding.
We'll be following up on that, by the way. But as of this writing, there's no new information on expected costs to repair damaged roads.
What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni @cnbeditor.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EDITOR’S DESK: Taking education seriously, behaving professionally can pay