Bureau of Labor Statistics, high school graduates with no college (both women and men) earned only 55 percent of what college graduates did in 2008. With a full-time job, fast-paced life, and potentially even a full-time family to attend to, going back to school to earn a higher-level degree might seem impossible. Enter online education. Just like completing a traditional, campus-based degree program, earning an online degree takes hard work and dedication. An online degree program, though, affords you much needed flexibility, so you don't have to quit your job or sacrifice family time.
Closing the Salary Gap: Education Is the Answer
According to the BLS, women working full-time had median weekly earnings that were only 80 percent of what their male counterparts made in 2008. While this is up from 1979's salary gap, which had women only making 62 percent of what men did, 80 percent isn't equal pay for equal work no matter how you cut it. The question is, what's changed since 1979 to affect the closing of this gap, and how do we keep it up?
The July 2009 report, Highlight's of Women's Earnings in 2008, from the BLS notes that "Women's long-term earnings growth reflects, in part, gains in their educational attainment and their movement into higher paying occupations over time." Just how has this changed since 1979?
In 1979, of women aged 25-64...
|
- 20 percent were high school dropouts
- 45 percent had a high school diploma
- 35 percent had been to college
In 2008, of women in the same age range...
- Only 7 percent didn't have a high school diploma
- 27 percent had only a high school diploma
- 66 percent had been to college
Education is a determining factor in closing the salary gap. From the BLS's December 2008 report, Women in the Labor Force: A Databook, in 2007 the salary gap between women and men was:
- 26 percent for high school graduates with no college
- 25 percent for holders of associate's degrees
- 25 percent for those with bachelor's degrees
- 25 percent for holders of master's degrees
- 23 percent for graduates of professional degree programs
- 20 percent for those with doctorates
These numbers prove it: the increase in earning power is more for women than men with the same level of educational attainment. Since 1979, the BLS shows a 31 percent increase in inflation-adjusted earnings for women with college degrees, compared to only an 18 percent increase for men. In 2008, twice as many women than men had hourly earnings at or below minimum wage--further emphasizing the importance of higher-level occupations, which require higher-level education, for women.
Online Education: Tailor-Made for the Working Woman
Making the choice to go back to school is hard enough on its own. The time commitment, the cost, both of these factors make getting the right degree extremely important. How can you get the highest return on your educational investment?
Consider the benefits of online education. While many online degree programs stack up pretty evenly in terms of cost per credit with traditional campus-based programs, there are hidden costs that it's important to consider. The commute to school is virtually non-existent in an online program and often involves simply walking over to the computer. That means there's no drive time, no gas, no parking fees, and no lunch outings to factor in. Online degree programs operate on a flexible schedule, which means working when you can, not rushing out the door to meet rigid class schedules all the while trying to juggle work or family commitments.
Online education lets you pursue your dreams without putting your life on hold, a task that is often difficult or downright impossible for working and stay-at-home moms. A recent study by the U.S. Department of Education found that online education is actually more effective than face-to-face learning, with a blend of the two being the most effective. The study, which took 51 factors into account and analyzed educational reports spanning from 1996 to 2008, found that students spend more time on the actual learning process while earning online degrees. Another major factor was that the online format affords additional communication opportunities, both between students and with faculty members.
Put all this together, and the case for earning an online degree is especially strong--but which degree?
Top Paying Industries for Educated Women
Educated women shone particularly brightly in several industries and professions in 2008. From the BLS:
- Management, Business, and Financial Operations. Women working full-time in these areas made a weekly median salary of $941 in 2008--more than any other job category. Within this category, the highest paying occupations were:
- Chief Executive. MBAs are rapidly becoming the industry standard, although some top executives have only a bachelor's degree in business administration, liberal arts, or a related discipline
- Computer and Information Systems Manager. A bachelor's degree is a requirement in this field, and employers typically prefer graduates of MBA programs that focus on technology as a core component
- Professional Occupations. Coming in second, women working in full-time professional occupations had weekly median earnings of $867 in 2008. The top paying professional positions for women in 2008:
- Pharmacist. A Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree is necessary to enter this field. Admission into a PharmD program requires at least two years of postsecondary study, and most applicants have three or more years of college under their belts
- Lawyer. Just to get into law school, applicants need a bachelor's degree. Law school typically takes three years, and, after passing the state bar exam, graduates are awarded the Juris Doctor (JD) degree
These professions may seem to require a prohibitive amount of postsecondary education, but the fact of the matter is that the hardest part is just getting started on your postsecondary education. Whether that means you earn your paralegal certification through an online associate's degree program or your bachelor's in business administration, you've got to start somewhere. And as you've already seen, a higher-level education can mean a bigger paycheck.
Education Is Paramount for Success, Now More Than Ever
A recent senate report notes that "in 2007, the median wage of adult male workers fell by nearly half a percent in constant dollars. In contrast, women's median wages fell by 3 percent over the same time period." Add that to the reality that the salary gap was narrowest in 2005 (at 19 percent) and has started slowly to widen once again, and the importance of education becomes especially clear. In today's highly competitive job market, you need every advantage you can get, from work experience to education. Online education makes it possible for you keep working, stay on top of domestic responsibilities, and work towards your degree at the same time.
What was once a near impossibility for working women, whether they be full-time moms or full-time employees--or both--is now simply a considerable achievement. A clear indication that the graduate is self-motivated, career-driven, ambitious, and highly competent, online degrees are now more widely accepted than ever before. Take the next step, and prove to your family and yourself that you have what it takes to succeed. Start working towards your future today.
About the Author
Karl Fendelander is an editor and freelance writer living in Reno, NV. Raised in a home in which his mother was the primary breadwinner and is still an active and successful businesswoman, he is no stranger to amibitious and highly educated women, nor the challenges they face.
|
