essay thesis and outline

A Degree worth Having

Thesis: Although it can leave a student with a considerable amount of debt, a college degree is an effective tool to ensure a better future career for a student.

I. Drawbacks

A. Debt

1. Student loans

2. Considerable amount of debt

3. Earning potential outweighs debt

4. Stable and satisfying career can finance education

B. Cannot find career related to degree

1. Career in study-area is unavailable

2. Career does not require degree

3. Jobs requiring college degrees are always more advanced

4. Colleges have resources to assist job search

C. Delayed entrance into workforce

1. Four years behind

2. Lose four years of earning

3. Start in a more advanced position

4. Advanced earning outweighs four years

II. College experience

A. Leadership

1. Extracurricular activities

2. Prepares students to lead

3. Valuable job skill

4. Enables a student to climb job ladder

B. Communication

1. Group projects

2. Jobs require communication

3. Valuable trait

4. Necessary for entering workforce

C. Networking

1. Alumni, professors, peers

2. Build connections for later benefit

3. Can help student get a job

4. Help student advance in career field

III. Career options

A. Advanced positions

1. Many advanced positions require degrees

2. More control over job

3. Ability to pick and choose from job choices

B. Higher earning potential

1. Advanced degree prompts higher earnings

2. Salaries increase when degree is earned

3. Earnings offset student debt to obtain the job

C. Ability to advance the corporate ladder

1. Corporate jobs require graduate school

2. Continued education leads to better jobs

3. Better jobs increase one's income

4. Education is the key to advancing in the workplace

IV. Higher job satisfaction

A. Studies determine suitability of career

1. Change majors while in college

2. Try many different areas of study

3. Find the right career for themselves

4. Difficult to change jobs, not majors

B. Students study what interests them

1. Find a career they are interested in

2. Students spend time learning in their interest area

3. Degree reflects interests

C. Students work in a more satisfying career

1. Student genuinely enjoys the career

2. Higher job satisfaction

3. Happier about working

4. Better efficiency while at work