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Many people focus on money when they talk about college.
They ask whether a degree will lead to a higher salary, or if they can earn just as much as a plumber or electrician. Yet, there’s so much more to the college experience than income.
College shapes how you think, how you see the world, and how you live your life.
One of the biggest benefits is how college changes your thinking. You’re constantly exposed to new ideas, challenging debates, and different ways of looking at the world. You learn to analyze information, question assumptions, and think critically instead of just accepting what you’re told. These skills help you make better decisions in every area of life – not just your career.
College also broadens you as a person. You meet people from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. This exposure helps you become more open-minded, empathetic, and adaptable. Many students say that some of their most valuable lessons came not from textbooks, but from late-night conversations with roommates and classmates who saw the world differently than they did.
In my case, I cannot say I was a stellar student at Dickinson College. I also cannot say that my major in religion was a typical path into my career as an entrepreneur. What I can say is that my years at Dickinson College taught me how to think critically, how to get along with people – especially those who could impact my life – how and why to care for others, how to feel empathy for others, and how to overcome what seemed like insurmountable obstacles.
Studies show that college graduates often report higher levels of life satisfaction and happiness. A college education gives you more tools to understand yourself and the world around you. It helps you appreciate art, literature, history, and science in deeper ways. This broader perspective makes life richer and more meaningful, even on days when money seems to be the focus.
Beyond personal growth, college gives you access to certain careers and experiences that simply aren’t available otherwise. Whether you want to work in medicine, law, research, or education, a degree opens doors. It also gives you more flexibility later in life if you decide to change careers.
Of course, trades like plumbing and electrical work are honorable and valuable paths. They offer good pay and the satisfaction of building and fixing things with your hands. But they provide a different kind of intellectual and personal expansion than college does.
My father-in-law did not have the opportunity to go to college, but he can look at an engine and tell you what is wrong with it. I look at the engine and do not have any idea what I am looking at, let alone what is wrong with it.
The truth is, money isn’t everything. A well-educated mind and a broadened perspective can lead to a more fulfilling, interesting, and happier life. College isn’t just about getting a job, it’s about becoming a more complete version of yourself.
If you’re someone who enjoys learning, loves exploring ideas, and wants to grow as a person, college offers something special that few other experiences can match. It’s an investment in who you become, not just what you earn.
Bill Gindlesperger is a central Pennsylvanian, Dickinson College graduate, Pennsylvania System Of Higher Education (PASSHE) Governor, former Shippensburg University Trustee, awarded numerous patents, as well as Founder and Chairman of eLynxx Solutions. eLynxx provides cloud-software for automated sourcing and managing of mail marketing, swag, packaging, and all things print. He is a board member, campaign advisor, successful entrepreneur, published author and commentator. He can be reached at Bill@eLynxx.com
