Does a College Degree Really Lead to More Employment Opportunities?

Would-be college students today face many choices. They have questions about their majors, how to fit in at school, and yes, even whether or not a college degree is worth it. After all, students are graduating with more than $37,000 in student loan debt.

However, these numbers don’t tell the whole story. College-degree earners typically earn at least $100,000 more in their lifetimes, according to Marist College. This figure not only implies that degree-holders end up with more money over their lifetimes, but also that they get well-paying jobs. For those who still feel unsure about getting a college degree, here are some things to know.

Promotion Worthy

Most people focus on whether or not they’ll get a good job after they earn their college degrees. What many people do not talk about is the fact that many graduates actually get promoted within their work environment.

For example, they might work for the same company for 10 years after graduating. Their degree might have even been one of the deciding factors in them getting the job. But that same degree could also be partly responsible for them getting a couple of promotions. If these same people are promoted twice, they have in effect, gotten three jobs because of that one degree.

Trust Me I’m a Teacher

There are no guarantees in life and going to college is not a “Golden Ticket” but it is often a stepping stone that helps you reach your full potential. Teacher Melanie Whitney talks at TEDx about College and the often circuitous road to Success.

Hot Job Trends

But what about jobs that don’t require degrees, some may ask. They may cite jobs in construction as examples of jobs that don’t require degrees. True enough, many of these jobs don’t require a degree. However, those workers who want to move up in the construction field will eventually need a degree if they want to move up into positions like construction management, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Construction management, like other jobs on Forbes hottest jobs list for 2017, counts as a job that requires a degree. This is due to how complex the construction business has become.

But it isn’t just construction that has seen a change. Most jobs, like those in IT, engineering, architecture, and healthcare all require degrees. Additionally, many companies face budget restrictions, which means that each worker needs to have more than one skill. What this might mean is that an IT person might also be asked to work on marketing or project management.

As a result, some degree programs will add coursework to their degree requirements to prepare future employees for this eventuality. As well, many colleges now even offer some type of online degree program for employees who need additional training after they secure a job.

Finally, many of these workers wouldn’t even have a shot at getting these jobs without a degree: Many hiring managers will use a degree or lack thereof to weed out candidates, especially for positions that get an overabundance of applications.

Other Benefits

But getting a job is only half the battle and half the reward of getting a degree, according the Huffington Post. People who have earned a degree tend to live healthier lives, report more job satisfaction, and enjoy greater job stability than their non-degree-holding counterparts. Generally speaking, the benefits of getting a college education far outweigh the drawbacks.

Final Thoughts

Nowadays, most people accept the idea that earning a college degree nets you more money and job opportunities in the long run. It’s now also easier than ever to get a degree. Many traditional students still pursue degrees via traditional methods, meaning they attend classes on campus during the day. However, many other degree seekers now get their degree via an online degree program while they continue to work at their jobs.

Regardless of what camp these degree seekers find themselves in, most find that pursuing a degree has been worth it. They’re more employable, happier, and healthier in the long run than their non-degreed counterparts.

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