Should I pursue a GED or it’s a complete waste of time and money?

If you’re asking this question, it’s clear you’re on the fence about pursuing a GED. Short for General Educational Development tests, a GED is an equivalent of a high school diploma.

As such, if you’re considering pursuing a GED, you certainly don’t have a high school diploma and don’t plan to get it. Being an alternative (and equivalent in most cases) to a high school diploma, there are benefits of a GED.

Continue reading to learn why it’s important to have a GED.

1. Gain Access to Employment Opportunities

When you think of employment, the first thing that comes to your mind is a college degree. Nobody can blame you for that. It’s true that the vast majority of jobs require college-level training.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a job with just a high school diploma or its equivalent. About 39 percent of jobs in the United States are held by people with a high school diploma or GED as their highest level of education.

With that information in mind, it’s safe to say a GED enables you to gain access to millions of jobs that you wouldn’t otherwise get without this credential.

So, if you’re currently unemployed and you aren’t getting any calls from potential employers, get a GED and you’ll see a real change.

2. College Is Calling

Is your desire to get to college and get advanced education? Maybe you want to earn an associate’s degree. Or perhaps you want to earn a bachelor’s degree. Maybe you even want to go all the way to graduate school.

Your dreams are valid, but there’s one important thing that will open your doors to college: a high school diploma.

But what if you don’t have a high school diploma? Does it mean you should go to high school? Don’t fret. With a GED, you can apply to various college programs and be accepted.

Don’t let your dream to go to college die because you don’t have a high school education. A GED solves that problem.

3. Increase Your Earning Potential

It’s possible to get a job without any kind of academic qualification. If you have such a job, you’re certainly earning the lowest amount of money in the industry.

What can you do to increase your earning potential? Simple. Get a GED.

Although a GED isn’t anywhere near a college degree, it’s much better than having nothing when you’re looking to increase your salary.

4. Feel Good About Yourself

America’s a country with a tradition of education. It’s a long-accepted fact that education is the key to a brighter future.

This isn’t to say that you have no future if you don’t have any education, but you’re certainly feeling left behind if you don’t have anything to show off in terms of academic credentials. This can hurt your self-confidence.

If not for any other reason, get a GED so that you can feel better about yourself. The best part? You can take free GED classes online.

Reap the Benefits of a GED

If you’ve been on the fence about getting that GED, now is the time to cross over. We’ve documented to benefits of a GED, and they’re all worth it. From increased job and educational opportunities to being a source of self-confidence, a GED will benefit you in many ways.

Keep reading our blog for more tips.