Exploring the Link Between Higher Education and Improved Quality of Life

Exploring the Link Between Higher Education and Improved Quality of Life
© Budgeron Bach

The pursuit of education beyond traditional schooling has long been understood to be a straight path to lifelong success and happiness. This is largely due to the fact that further, specialized education in a variety of emerging and established sectors can open doors to better opportunities for wealth and financial freedom. 

For generations, scores of individuals around the world have delayed entering traditional workplaces in favor of earning technical qualifications in the hope that they will be better equipped to land higher-paying jobs and careers. Despite the fact that graduate degrees and diplomas can be a major financial investment initially, evidence suggests that prioritizing education can directly impact the happiness people are able to achieve over a lifetime.

Education as a Pathway to Success

Working to achieve qualifications beyond a high school diploma is widely recognized to be a valuable endeavor worth pursuing. If a person can attain specialized knowledge by attending physical classes or online courses via Kettering University graduate programs or other, similarly trusted institutions, they have access to far superior career opportunities.

This is because students and young professionals who show enough drive and dedication to earn a degree are seen by employers as individuals with valuable problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. By providing people with specialized skills and in-depth knowledge, higher education paves the way for higher standards of living and increased financial stability.

As globalization and remote work opportunities are causing more people than ever before to enter the workforce and compete in shrinking job markets, higher education provides individuals with an advantageous edge that can help them get noticed and hired. As the world of work evolves, it’s becoming clear that further education is essential to find lasting success in a wide variety of workplace environments.

How Higher Education Contributes to Better Life Outcomes

An examination of the world’s happiest countries and the rates of higher education in these locations suggests that advanced learning has a direct impact on a range of beneficial life outcomes. It could be argued that people who pursue and achieve higher levels of education than average are able to enjoy superior mental and physical health, higher rates of lifelong employment and increased amounts of career-related satisfaction.

Families with highly educated members are afforded increased incomes and are better able to weather financial challenges and emergencies. By earning higher salaries, people can enjoy increased access to private healthcare, purchase or rent houses in safer locations and take more time off to engage in recreational or civic, community building activities.

Education as a Catalyst for Personal Growth

Earning qualifications at higher learning institutions is not only about earning more financially. The pursuit of knowledge can also be undertaken as a journey towards personal growth. As individuals are exposed to distinct experiences and perspectives during their years at school, they can develop skills to help them live fuller, more deeply connected lives.

Around the world, physical college campuses can provide people with a unique environment for networking and personal growth. If students take time to foster a sense of independence and prioritize self-discovery while learning specialized skills at online institutions, they too can navigate the complexities of life with increased levels of resilience and self-confidence.

The Impact of Higher Education on Society

Higher education doesn’t only help individuals enjoy an improved quality of life. It can also play a profound and defining role in shaping societies. As long as institutions promote diversity and inclusivity and remain open to students from every walk of life, these spaces can offer opportunities for everyone with enough drive and dedication to succeed and thrive.

Additionally, institutions focused on innovation and the pursuit of new knowledge can facilitate advancements in a wide variety of fields. By encouraging students and faculty to continue working on new research and cutting-edge innovation, new scientific breakthroughs in science, technology and medicine have the potential to greatly improve quality of life outcomes for entire nations and global populations.

The Transformative Power of Education on Communities

Highly educated populations can have far-reaching impacts on communities. As more individuals earn qualifications and skills at higher learning institutions, they can share their knowledge and financial success with their families and uplift the lives of everyone around them. In this way, education has the power to drive lasting positive changes that can significantly benefit society.

Through education, people can become empowered to actively participate within established communities and encourage others to do the same. Educated individuals can become tutors to help siblings or neighbors succeed, and institutions themselves can establish outreach programs to support new generations of learners with research and expertise.