By Kristine Collins/ reporter

NW students who have wondered about the value of their education received some answers Nov. 7  from counselor Jim Sherwood. 

“For students, the No. 1 reason for a college education is to gain knowledge, skills and credentials that will be valuable in the workplace — to provide an adequate income for living,” he said.

Sherwood said higher education can help people better communicate, develop perseverance and creativity, work better independently and with others and become  lifelong learners.

Another reason for an advanced education is more money, Sherwood said. The salary isn’t a huge difference from an associate degree to a bachelor’s as it once was. More people aim for a master’s degree and even a doctorate to see the bigger salary increase, he said.

Money might be high on the list of reasons to get a higher education, but health is another top priority to most people, Sherwood said.

“Studies show the more education you have the better health you will have and the longer you will live,” he said.

From making more money, living a healthier lifestyle, to even becoming a lifelong learner, education is extremely valuable to many different people, Sherwood said.

“I hope this opens your eyes, maybe see things in a different light and broaden your perspective on the value of education,” he said.

Student Keri Holt was impressed with Sherwood’s information on income predictions.

“It’s amazing the difference between no education and a bachelor’s degree wasn’t that much difference in salary, but from bachelor’s to master’s was, incredibly, much higher,” she said.