Hello Everyone,

A 2016 article by Governor Ducey extolled the need of more college graduates in Arizona for the success of family, state and future. As the year 2020 draws ever closer, the amount of employers accepting high school diplomas only is drawing further away. The time is fast approaching where a degree or certificate will be required to attain even the lowest paying jobs, let alone executive salary positions.

Most students aspire to attend either community college or university, while others have a specific career choice in mind that requires a certificate. With that in mind, many forgo this dream because of their economic situation. In other words, minorities miss the opportunity to further their education because they simply can’t afford it and cannot obtain financial assistance. Gov. Ducey and other Arizona leaders have come up with a plan to have 60% of Arizonans as college graduates by the year 2030. You can read more about it here: http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2016/09/17/arizona-needs-more-college-grads-ducey/90363958/.

Although the article is calling on the youth of Arizona, we must not forget about the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who never had the opportunity to attain secondary education because of economics and raising families. There are also some who feel they are too old or have been stagnant at their jobs for so long, furthering their education was never an option. Thus they never try.

What is failed to be understood is, if that unattainable position higher up is in fact attainable with a certificate, how much further can they go with an Associate or Bachelor degree? The program Ducey describes is not just for youths, but for the mature adults interested in getting out of the rut they find themselves and adequately equipped to compete with the younger generation for the better paying positions, in addition to the experience they bring with it. If given the opportunity, who wouldn’t go for the higher pay, better benefits and greater quality of life?

So, as Gov. Ducey urges, young and old should take this opportunity to attain greatness for themselves and for their home state. Make your family proud, make Arizona proud, but most importantly, make yourself proud! Until later!

Happy Studying,

The Book Diva