Essay #2

College Graduate Vs High School Graduate

A college education is an important key in one’s life to success in the future.  Although some people believe that only a high school degree is enough to find a career today, this is not true. A high school education is very different than a college education. College graduates have the advantage of four extra years of education, a higher income/salary, and many more job opportunities and career paths to choose from than those who do not pursue education beyond high school.

One of the advantages of going to college is simply gaining an extra four to six years of learning. College students are required to take a variety of basic education courses, such as math, sciences, English, and basic computing and speech classes. College classes go into much deeper detail, and advance far beyond what is taught in a high school class. In college, electives are also required as a part of earning a degree. Students are able to take a course that simply sounds interesting or appealing to them. Often students discover that during one of these elective courses, they have a talent and/or passion for a certain subject and begin to understand the subject’s potential in the job marketplace. (Carter) For example, a business major may enjoy her art elective, and discover that she may own an art gallery as her career. College students become aware of the many different subjects and fields that they never would have considered, or even known about, without going to college. While obtaining a specialized degree is necessary for most fields, sometimes just having a college education is an advantage, regardless of the field of study. Employers want to know that their employees have a well rounded basic education.

A high school graduate can begin working full time immediately, which means a few extra years of earning potential and less initial debt from college loans, these benefits are negligible when compared to the average salaries earned by college graduates. The average annual income for a high school graduate is $30,400. College graduates, however, with a bachelor’s degree can expect to earn an average of $52,200 a year. (Elmore). Over the course of their careers, college graduates can make a difference of $21,800 a year more than high school graduates. Those with a college degree, whether it be a bachelors or masters degree, are better equipped to make more money in the long run. A person with little or no college education can expect to make anywhere from one million, to one and a half million dollars over his or her career, in comparison to the average college graduate who can expect to make over two million dollars over his or her career. With every advancement in education, the amount of money increases by roughly one half, to a million dollars. (Chavis)

More and more jobs require education beyond high school. Obtaining a college degree is now more than just an advantage in today’s workforce. In previous generations, there were many jobs available for those without a college education, or sometimes even a high school diploma. Today, it is nearly impossible to get a job, let alone pursue in a career, without a college degree. Job seekers who do not have a college degree will find certain positions that may not actually require a college education, but those employers will still pay higher salaries to those who have a college degree. Jobs seekers with a college education will still earn higher salaries, even when the degree is not directly required for the job. (Carter). College degree holders are much more likely to get promotions in their chosen field of work, in comparison to those with only a high school diploma. A higher education makes a person more knowledgeable and able to foster creative, out of the box thinking. Corporates are always on the lookout for people who can suggest to them new, profitable ways of doing things. This makes the person with the college degree ideal for a leadership position, and more likely to get promoted or given a raise. (Dogra).  High school graduates have an unemployment rate of a little over 9%, while college graduates only face about 5.75% unemployment rate. Whether in a good job market or bad, that difference is significant (Carter).

Four more years of being in a classroom is worth the extra time, effort, and money, when considering the advantages of obtaining a college degree. College students are not only better educated, but are also able to grasp in-depth information learned in their major/ field of work. A college graduate’s income is significantly higher than that of someone with only a high school diploma. Finally, a college graduate will be open to different job opportunities, and career choices because of the in-depth learning, studying, and training in a specific field of work/practice.

Works Cited

Cater, Michael. "The Advantages to a College Degree for Today's Job Seekers." Ezine Articles. N.p., 10 Oct 2005. Web. 6 Oct 2010. <http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Advantages-to-a-College-Degree-for-Todays-Job-Seekers&id=81204>.

Elmore, Roger. "The Financial Benefits of a College Degree." Budget Musings. N.p., 13 Sep 2010. Web. 6 Oct 2010. <http://calendarbudget.com/wordpress/the-financial-benefits-of-a-college-education/>.

Chavis, Jason. "Salary Comparison of a College Grad to a Non grad." Bright Hub. N.p., 14 May 2010. Web. 6 Oct 2010. <http://www.brighthub.com/education/college/articles/68847

Dogra, Aastha. "College Education." Benefits of a College Education. N.p., 23 Aug 2010. Web. 20 Oct 2010. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/college-education-benefits-of-college-education.html>.

Final Draft essay 1

Victoria Reynolds
Dr. Kerr
En 101
9-16-10

Retail Addiction

      Shoes, clothes, jewelry, new cell phone- all kinds of materials items can make us feel good about ourselves,

temporarily that is. “Oniomania,” the psychiatric term for this syndrome, is defined as “an uncontrollable

desire to buy things” (dictionary.com).

Advertising, catalyzed by exponential growth in technology, has affected society greatly over the past several

decades; increased reported cases of this addiction clearly indicate the marketing industries’ lack of regard

concerning the potential negative effects upon society, consumers, and of course oniomaniacs.

        What exactly is retail addiction? Oniomania, more commonly referred to as shopping addiction, is the

proper term used for compulsive shopping. Oniomaniacs are addicts. In the same way other addicts obsess over

their addiction, retail addicts become preoccupied with the activity of spending, and/or shopping, and devote

significant time and money to these activities. Retail addicts have described the feeling of spending money,

and planning shopping trips as ”euphoric.” A Psychiatric Times survey conducted in December, 2006

revealed that almost six percent of Americans reported suffering from this problem.

 http://addictions.about.com/od/lesserknownaddictions/a/shoppingadd.htm

http://www.myaddiction.com/shopping-addiction.html

     Advertising has existed, in one form or another, as long as humans have bought, sold, or traded items and

goods. Although organized advertising began in Europe, advertising agents and agencies did not appear in

America until during the Civil war era. Advertisements were used to recruit soldiers in the war for either the

union or the confederate armies. In the late 1800’s, brand names were used for goods, such as clothing and

household items, to assert a products consistent efficiency. One example of a brand that still exists today is

Ivory soap. As advertising continued to sink its roots into American society throughout the 1900’s, agencies

developed methods of targeting specific consumers who would be more likely to purchase various types of

products. As technology advanced, advertisers utilized the newspaper, radio broadcasting, television

broadcasting, internet, and mobile phones to communicate their ads.

http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/asr/v006/6.3unit02.html

        Advertisers use many different techniques to make the consumer feel as if they need the products they

advertise. “Avante Garde,” is when advertisers make the product appear that it will put the consumer ahead

of the times. For example Dip n Dots ice cream claims to be the ice cream of the future. “Testimonials,” or

endorsements, use a famous person, usually seen using or supporting the product in someway. For example,

Michael Jordan is seen in commercials wearing Nike Jordan’s. Finally, “Bandwagon,” is a technique that

exploit’s a consumers natural desire to be part of “the crowd.” all of these techniques make the consumer

feel as if they need the product being advertised.

 http://www.foothilltech.org/rgeib/english/media_literacy/advertising_techniques.htm
      Advertising has greatly influenced American society. Over time, society has accepted the advertisers

suggestion that it needs material positions. What were once wants, are now needs. For example, mobile

phones were new and unnecessary less then twenty years ago; now, it seems as if people are required to

have one. People feel abnormal without these possessions. Subsequently, society influences people to spend

money. Spending is the most socially reinforced of all behavioral addictions.

        Retail addicts are constantly confronted by advertising telling them that buying ridiculous things will

make them happier or even make their likes easier. Oniomaniacs can not ever see the difference between a

want and a need. To them, every item is necessary. As you can see, this addiction is a problem because it

can cause these people to go into debt, and ruin their financial well-being. In the worst cases, addicts could

possibly resort to illegal activities, such as theft or prostitution, to gain necessary means to continue spending.

You are probably wondering “is obsessive spending and shopping purely for self-gain, or are there emotional

or psychological factors behind this addiction?” While both may be true, most of the time it is psychological

factor that play the role in oniomania, because it is actually a psychological disease. Retail addicts cannot help

the feeling of needing to spend money, and that is why there is therapy for retail addicts.

        Retail addiction, oniomania, shopping addiction, binge spending: there are many names. But regardless

how one terms this ever-widening group of American society who possess a seemingly innate predisposition

to recklessly spend and spend and spend their own money and that of others, this problem is still apparent.

Time will come that consumers will question society about the legitimacy of society’s loving regard for

spending and attaining material possessions. In turn, society will question and hold accountable advertising

agents and agencies for their unnecessary, cunning techniques which can turn wants into needs overnight.

Sadly, for now, oniomaniacs are still paying the price for capitalistic selfishness and wanton greed exhibited

by advertisers and in turn, American society. So next time you are about to purchase a $200 pair of shoes,

or a new plasma HD triple reflex gizmo super Television combination popcorn popper, ask yourself why you

need it, and if you really need it al all.





http://addictions.about.com/od/lesserknownaddictions/a/shoppingadd.htm

http://www.myaddiction.com/shopping-addiction.html

Citing

http://www.foothilltech.org/rgeib/english/media_literacy/advertising_techniques.htm

http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/asr/v006/6.3unit02.html

http://addictions.about.com/od/lesserknownaddictions/a/shoppingadd.htm

http://www.myaddiction.com/shopping-addiction.html

beautiful draft!

Shoes, clothes, jewelry, new cell phone- all kinds of materials items can make us feel good about ourselves, temporarily that is. “Oniomania,” the psychiatric term for this syndrome, is defined as “an uncontrollable desire to buy things” (dictionary.com).

Advertising, catalyzed by exponential growth in technology, has affected society greatly over the past several decades; increased reported cases of this addiction clearly indicate the marketing industries’ lack of regard concerning the potential negative effects upon society, consumers, and of course oniomaniacs.



What exactly is retail addiction? Oniomania, more commonly referred to as shopping addiction, is the proper term used for compulsive shopping. Oniomaniacs are addicts. In the same way other addicts obsess over their addiction, retail addicts become preoccupied with the activity of spending, and/or shopping, and devote significant time and money to these activities. Retail addicts have described the feeling of spending money, and planning shopping trips as ”euphoric.” A Psychiatric Times survey conducted in December, 2006 revealed that almost six percent of Americans reported suffering from this problem.



Advertising has existed, in one form or another, as long as humans have bought, sold, or traded items and goods. Although organized advertising began in Europe, advertising agents and agencies did not appear in America until during the Civil war era. Advertisements were used to recruit soldiers in the war for either the union or the confederate armies. In the late 1800’s, brand names were used for goods, such as clothing and household items, to assert a products consistent efficiency. One example of a brand that still exists today is Ivory soap. As advertising continued to sink its roots into American society throughout the 1900’s, agencies developed methods of targeting specific consumers who would be more likely to purchase various types of products. As technology advanced, advertisers utilized the newspaper, radio broadcasting, television broadcasting, internet, and mobile phones to communicate their ads.



Advertisers use many different techniques to make the consumer feel as if they need the products they advertise. “Avante Garde,” is when advertisers make the product appear that it will put the consumer ahead of the times. For example Dip n Dots ice cream claims to be the ice cream of the future. “Testimonials,” or endorsements, use a famous person, usually seen using or supporting the product in someway. For example, Michael Jordan is seen in commercials wearing Nike Jordan’s. Finally, “Bandwagon,” is a technique that exploit’s a consumers natural desire to be part of “the crowd.” all of these techniques make the consumer feel as if they need the product being advertised.



Advertising has greatly influenced American society. Over time, society has accepted the advertisers suggestion that it needs material positions. What were once wants, are now needs. For example, mobile phones were new and unnecessary less then twenty years ago; now, it seems as if people are required to have one. People feel abnormal without these possessions. Subsequently, society influences people to spend money. Spending is the most socially reinforced of all behavioral addictions.



Retail addicts are constantly confronted by advertising telling them that buying ridiculous things will make them happier or even make their likes easier. Oniomaniacs can not ever see the difference between a want and a need. To them, every item is necessary. As you can see, this addiction is a problem because it can cause these people to go into debt, and ruin their financial well-being. In the worst cases, addicts could possibly resort to illegal activities, such as theft or prostitution, to gain necessary means to continue spending. You are probably wondering “is obsessive spending and shopping purely for self-gain, or are there emotional or psychological factors behind this addiction?” While both may be true, most of the time it is psychological factor that play the role in oniomania, because it is actually a psychological disease. Retail addicts cannot help the feeling of needing to spend money, and that is why there is therapy for retail addicts.



Retail addiction, oniomania, shopping addiction, binge spending: there are many names. But regardless how one terms this ever-widening group of American society who possess a seemingly innate predisposition to recklessly spend and spend and spend their own money and that of others, this problem is still apparent. Time will come that consumers will question society about the legitimacy of society’s loving regard for spending and attaining material possessions. In turn, society will question and hold accountable advertising agents and agencies for their unnecessary, cunning techniques which can turn wants into needs overnight. Sadly, for now, oniomaniacs are still paying the price for capitalistic selfishness and wanton greed exhibited by advertisers and in turn, American society. So next time you are about to purchase a $200 pair of shoes, or a new plasma HD triple reflex gizmo super Television combination popcorn popper, ask yourself why you need it, and if you really need it al all.

Tell me Something I Don't Know

The purpose of this paper, is to inform people about "Omniomania" which is a psychiatric term used for compulsive shopping. My goal is to go into detail about this addiction by answering the questions about omniomania. I will talk about the addiction, how society has a major effect on the addiction, and how technology advances influence this addiction, and more.