As the cost of higher education rises and the competition for spots at top colleges and universities steepens, you might wonder if it’s even worth it to make such a large investment in a college degree. The value of a college degree might be that it’s a means to get a spot at a nicely paying job and ultimately increase employability.
There may have been a time before online certificates, and technical training programs were readily available when colleges were the best place to learn employable skills. But now that almost every piece of technical knowledge is online and accessible for negligible costs, it may raise questions regarding why to spend so much on a college degree.
While many colleges compete to be the best place to learn technical skills, one of the main values of college isn’t to train for technical skills. In other words, colleges aren’t trade schools. Rather, colleges are places where young adults are taught how to think, not what to think. College is a place to learn valuable life and work skills that teach you how to grow as a human being—an employee, a founder, a decision-maker, a teammate, a wife or husband, a friend, and more. Many of these skills can help them be the ones that get promotions or help them gain the prescience to know when to get out of a bad situation, whether a relationship, job or something else. College is also a place to learn about how the world works and how to question things while at the same time appreciating them and respecting those who disagree, valuable communication skills that can help in professional and personal life.
Skills like this can have an immense impact on success and happiness in a young adult’s life and can all work together to show them the forest through the trees in any life context. As a result, they become equipped for financial success in whatever endeavor they choose. And at the end of the day, still, a college degree opens a considerable door for career options and overall economic mobility. So, when it comes to college, the value may not be so that your kid or grandkid can learn the trendiest new skill just to replace it with a new one in a decade. Rather, it equips them to adapt effectively as times change; something a how-to online class or textbook can’t teach well.
If you have questions about how to fit your family’s college and education planning into your financial plan, whether you’re starting to save up or need to figure out how to help cover that cost soon, a financial advisor can be a great tool for you. To get started with one of our financial advisors, contact us at (540) 720-5656.
Amy Anderson joined the ILG Financial team in 2023 as the client relations coordinator. Her responsibilities include scheduling of appointments, annual check-up notifications, and annuity and required minimum distribution assistance. She is a graduate of Harding University with a degree in Computer Information Systems. Amy and her husband have two children and she enjoys reading, crocheting, music and spending time with her family.
Chase Lopez joined the ILG Financial team in 2020 as an advisor. Chase is a 2016 James Madison University graduate with a degree in management. Chase has been trained under the tutelage of Dave Lopez, who is not only the founder and managing member of ILG Financial, but also is Chase’s uncle and godfather. He also enjoys working alongside his cousin, Megan, who is Dave’s daughter. Chase, as a fiduciary, believes in putting his clients interests first, and building out plans for his clients where they can have a happy and fruitful retirement. He married his beautiful wife in February 2022 and both use most of their free time chasing around their little pup, Aurora.
Jessica Carson joined the ILG Financial team in 2018 as an agent. Jessica and her husband have four children, two dogs, 3 barn cats, 5 chickens, and three parakeets. She indeed loves her children and pets! When not at work, Jessica enjoys playing the piano and cello as well as traveling and spending time outside with her family, hiking, fishing, and boating.
Terri Center joined the ILG Financial team in 2019 as client services manager. She handles client records, application processing, and gathering information to provide a professional and friendly experience with all of our clients. Terri is a graduate of Oakland University. She is married and has two children. She enjoys hiking, family time, and puzzle challenging video games. She also likes to share her creativity in her canvas paintings and sewing projects.
Megan Jones joined the ILG Financial team in 2020 as marketing director. Megan and her husband live in Fredericksburg, VA with their German Short Haired Pointer, Gus. Megan is a graduate of Longwood University and holds a degree in communications. Megan is the oldest of Dave Lopez’s three children and not only enjoys working alongside her father, but also with her cousin, Chase, who joined the ILG Financial team in 2020 as an advisor. When not at work, Megan enjoys sitting on the back porch with family and friends enjoying food and music.