Going back to school is a big decision, and if you are like many people, you probably don’t think you have time for it in your busy life — not to mention the ability to pay for it! But trust me, as someone who has gone back to school as an adult, you will not regret your decision! There are many reasons why you will find it’s worth the challenges to get your degree as an adult — here are just a few.

You’ll have more career choices. Without a degree, you are very limited in your career choices. Many careers — especially those that offer the most opportunities — require a degree. Going back to school may be difficult in the short run, but in the long run you will find that it opens up many more career choices for you.

You’ll make more money. People with a degree make considerably more money than people with no degree. This is most likely because having a degree opens up so many more career opportunities that you wouldn’t have otherwise. Do you want the money to support your family comfortably, to do the things you want to do? If so, you need to seriously consider going back to school.

Your kids will be more likely to go to college. Statistics show that kids whose parents went to college are much more likely to go themselves. Who knows if this is because parents with degrees set a better example, or because they just have more money to help pay for their kids’ college. In any case, if you want to provide the post possible chances in life for your children, getting your degree is one way to do that.

It’s easier to get financial assistance now than it used to be. You may be able to get part or all of your education paid for with a scholarship , as there are many more available now than there used to be. It’s also easier to get government assistance such as grants and loans, as the new FAFSA application process is now easier than it used to be.

It’s easier to find classes that fit your schedule than it used to be. With more adults going to college, schools have started offering more evening and online classes. Non-traditional programs might allow you to work at your own pace, either faster or slower than usual, or take classes via telecommuting, online, in the evenings, or at a satellite campus. This makes it easier to go back to school without quitting your job, changing your work schedule, or making any other major changes to your life and responsibilities.

Getting your degree is a lot of work and inconvenience now, of course, but obviously there are some very good reasons for going through the trouble. I promise you, you won’t regret doing it!

Being in a field that stresses the importance of education, it is only a natural fit for Southwestern Company to join forces with Metro Nashville Public Schools. It directly ties in to Southwestern Company’s mission of being the best organization in the world in helping young people achieve their goals in life.

For the 2010/2011 school year, Southwestern Company will participate as an Academy Partner. This is a PENCIL Partner that will enjoy a formalized partnership with a high school academy. The activities will vary on the needs of the school and their students, but will match the corporation’s interests and resources.

The bottom line: community and corporate involvement directly affect graduation rates. When students understand their studies are directly related to their future endeavors in life, they are more likely to be engaged learners, to stay in school and make informed decisions about going to college.

The goal for this partnership is to improve graduation rates, build relationships between students and positive role models and support positive outcomes after graduation. Activities Southwestern Company will engage in include: guest speaking, mentorship, curriculum advice, field trips, teacher externships, job shadowing and participation on an academy Advisory Board.

Southwestern Company’s Lee McCroskey and Great American Opportunity, Inc.’s Kevin Hawley have taken the lead on this project and will be building a team of volunteer executives to assist with the partnership on an ongoing basis.

This is not the first time Southwestern Company has jumped in to help schools in the community. The corporation was a long-time PENCIL Partner for Metro Nashville schools, has extensively donated educational supplies and has served in various capacities in speaking engagements and job fairs.