Ameritech Financial on the Value of Soft Skills and a College Education

ROHNERT PARK, Calif., Feb. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- There are many theories about what started the student loan debt increase that led us to the current student debt crisis. Some theories point out a sudden increase in demand for college degrees in the 1970s, possibly resulting from an increase in jobs listing a college degree as a requirement. But experts don't always agree on why that college degree became so coveted by employers. It all comes down to the value of that degree. Ameritech Financial, a document preparation company that helps borrowers apply for federal repayment plans, recognizes that the value of a college degree can leave students with unmanageable debt and assists them in taking steps to handle it.

"There are two schools of thought about what you get from college," said Tom Knickerbocker. "On one hand, you can learn skills specific to particular jobs or industries. On the other hand, you can learn ideas and concepts about a topic. The first teaches hard skills and the second teaches soft skills."

The value of a college degree depends on many factors, but the most important one to employers may not be related to one's major or the institution someone attended. Instead, a college degree trains soft skills that employers find valuable in employees. In fact, a recent article suggests that employers in the early 1970s, hoping for proof of soft skills and intelligence and finding it illegal to administer IQ tests to applicants, saw a college degree as such proof. Therefore, more employers started requiring a college degree, and college admission, as well as tuition and loans, started increasing.

The soft skills employers look for range from punctuality and attendance to teamwork and perseverance through annoying tasks. College success often depends on developing those soft skills. Moreover, overcoming obstacles and developing productive relationships with team members are essential for success in a challenging work environment.

Some graduates may question whether those soft skills are worth the price they owe for the college education. Simply put, if the degree enabled them to get a job that helps them pay down those loans, it may be worth it overall. However, if they are struggling with that debt, with or without a job that required the degree, they usually have options for managing it. For example, the Department of Education offers a variety of income-driven repayment plans that base payment amounts on income rather than their principal and a 10-year payoff schedule.

"Those soft skills are essential for success both in college and the workplace," said Knickerbocker. "However, if the pursuit of those soft skills leaves borrowers feeling financially stressed, Ameritech Financial can help them understand and apply for an IDR so that they can better focus on developing their skills in their job instead of worrying about their student loan payments."

About Ameritech Financial

Ameritech Financial is a private company located in Rohnert Park, California. Ameritech Financial has already helped thousands of consumers with financial analysis and student loan document preparation to apply for federal student loan repayment programs offered through the Department of Education.

Ameritech Financial is a member of the Association for Student Loan Relief (AFSLR), and each representative on the phone has received the Certified Student Loan Professional certification through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA).

Ameritech Financial prides itself on its exceptional customer service.

Contact

To learn more about Ameritech Financial, please contact:

Ameritech Financial
5789 State Farm Drive #265
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
1-800-792-8621
[email protected]

Related Links

Ameritech Financial home page

SOURCE Ameritech Financial