Famous People with a GED
By Michael Ormsby
ABC News anchor Peter Jennings. Actor and comedian Chris Rock. Sanjaya Malaker, the popular singer from American Idol. Judge Greg Mathis. What do these people have in common, besides being famous and respected? None of them finished high school, and they all earned their the GED.
Judge Mathis grew up in the housing projects in Detroit. He was involved in gangs. He spent time in jail. How did he pull himself out? After learning that his mother had cancer, Mathis decided it was time to change the course of his life. He was offered probation, if he entered a GED program. He didnt just stop at a GED, though. He went on to college and law school, and he became the youngest superior court judge ever to serve in Michigan. Did he stop there? No, he went on to have his own television court show.
With a GED, opportunities for job advancement or for new careers can open up. Many promising careers, like travel agent, human resources assistant, salesperson, or physical therapist aide, require a high school degree or GED. The armed forces now require a GED or high school diploma. GED graduates make an average of $385,000 more in their lifetime than people without a GED. Thats a raise of $12,000 a year for most people.
The GED is most lucrative when its a gateway to higher education at trade schools, community colleges, or universities. The average income for college graduates is $44,000, more than double the income of people who havent graduated high school, and 97% of colleges accept GED graduates.
Another highly respected GED graduate, ABC News anchor Peter Jennings, was an active sponsor of scholarships for GED recipients. When speaking at a GED scholarship ceremony in 2003, he said: "You are now so much more prepared to go off in search of America. ... You have indelibly today taken a huge and magnificent step forward." Are you ready to take that step forward and find the land of opportunity?
Earning a GED is not difficult. Most people can prepare in a few short months with online GED study programs. The GED has gleaned the bare essentials from high school . . . the things that are most valuable for success in todays job market. You dont need to memorize lots of facts and dates. The GED focuses on critical thinking skills: analyzing, making inferences, and applying concepts to new situations. With a little practice, you can quickly improve these valuable skills and ace the GED.
To learn more about online GED study programs: www.passged.com
©2007 Essential Education Corporation/www.passGED.com
