Education's importance

For many college seniors preparing to graduate in the coming weeks, decisions remain. Should they test the job market, one that has been tumultuous for some sectors in recent years, or should they pursue further education? The answer to this question varies for each.

Last week an Associated Press story reported that women for the first time passed men in receiving advanced college degrees and bachelor's degrees. This is especially interesting considering the latest employment numbers and that women now make up half of the country's workforce. The national unemployment for men is at 9.3 percent while unemployment for women is at 8.3 percent.

This is not to say that those who have a postgraduate education automatically have a better chance of full-time employment. Men, after all, do tend to fill more jobs in manufacturing and construction industries, sectors that saw many job losses during the recession.

There is also good news for recent graduates, both male and female. The National Association of Colleges and Employers' job outlook survey of 174 organizations recently showed that employers plan to hire 19.3 percent more new college graduates this year than last year.

This will unquestionable play a role in what new graduates decide to do. But also the discipline makes a difference. Among the top five most compensated majors are engineering, with salary offers over $66,000, according to NACE's spring 2011 salary survey.

We wish all the upcoming graduates well in their future careers, and encourage those high school students preparing for life after their senior year to consider how they too can better themselves for their future careers.