For freshly minted graduates the best leverage they can use to land a job in their chosen field is their degree. Given most graduates have little to no job experience, a degree can help distinguish one entry-level applicant from another without experience or a degree. Certainly, a bachelor’s degree communicates several things to prospective employers including:
- The ability to start and finish a goal
- A foundational knowledge within a given field
- Some practical experience (if even in only a classroom environment)
A degree tells prospective employers that ramp up time for new employees will be lessened and productivity will be achieved sooner than training someone from the ground up. However, fast forward several years for these college graduates and HR managers are now looking at accumulated experience more intently while value of the degree wanes in their eyes.
This begs the question, does four years of work experience outweigh the value of a four-year degree? The answer is it depends. It depends on the field, the type of work experience, the costs of obtaining a degree and the inherent desire of employers to hire employees with degrees.
When a Bachelor’s Degree Carries its Greatest Value
The great value of a college degree is universally understood. With the right degree, you can open doors to career opportunities that may have otherwise been inaccessible. College degrees provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their chosen field, as well as the confidence to pursue their goals.
A college degree is an investment. It can lead to higher salaries, better job prospects, and more job security. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that a person with a bachelor’s degree will earn $1543 per week vs $853 for someone with only a high school diploma. College degrees can also provide access to a network of professionals who can help you find jobs or internships. Having a college degree can also give you an edge when applying for graduate school or other advanced programs.
A degree carries its greatest weight on the campus where it is obtained. When looking for a full-time job to move on to post graduation, on-campus recruiting is hands-down the best place to leverage a degree. Prospective employers not only make it convenient by coming directly to campus, but they also have jobs to give and know all the applicants have little to no experience. The playing field is as level as it will ever be with on-campus recruiting.
Why On-Campus Recruiting is Vital
On-campus recruiting is a great way for college students to find their first job. According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), about 30% of college students found their first job through on-campus recruiting. The alternative for students to find jobs would be daily visits to online job boards, attending countless networking events, and looking for career fairs.
On-campus recruiting provides many benefits to both employers and students. For employers, it allows them to meet potential candidates in person and get an idea of their skills and qualifications before making an offer. For students, it gives them the opportunity to make connections with employers they may not have had access to otherwise. It also gives them the chance to learn more about potential positions and ask questions that can help them decide if the job is right for them.
On-campus recruiting is an invaluable tool for both employers and college students alike, providing a unique opportunity for both parties to connect and learn more about each other. By taking advantage of these events, college students can gain valuable insight into potential career paths while employers can find talented new hires. Best of all, nothing makes graduation sweeter than to accept a diploma knowing a job is waiting on the other side.
X Years of Experience Required
Just a few years post-graduation and the value of a college degree will begin to be diminished. While a degree can provide the foundation of knowledge and skills needed to enter a particular field, it will not keep you there. The value continuum will shift with work performance and results becoming the most relevant information on a resume, as the degree moves down in importance.
Truth be told, experience always matters. The more experience you have, the more proficient you'll be at your job, which can make you stand out from other applicants. A college student can tell an interviewer what she thinks she can do if hired, while someone with work experience can demonstrate what she's done successfully in similar roles.
It’s a meritocracy out there. Achievements are revered and you are only as good as your most recent successes. Landing a big client that generates tons of new revenue, developing a new efficient way to work that saves time or simply adding value to the workplace (however that may be) will almost always outweigh the value of a college degree.
Don’t Wait to Take Advantage of University Resources
Just like a car that loses value as you drive it off the lot, so does a degree lose some steam after you leave campus. Some students opt out of job-hunting before or just after graduation looking for a break after 17+ years of straight education and that’s very understandable. However, it’s much more difficult to look for work on your own outside of the job assistance provided by the college or university. For all the effort given to obtain a degree it’s important not to undercut its value by shelving it for a while.
Ultimately, both a degree and work experience are important for long-term success after college graduation. When pursing a degree keeping in mind it’s shelf life can help guide a decision of how much to spend to obtain the degree versus the value it will provide. With an ever-changing world, experience will also fluctuate in value, but some practical lessons will always be valuable. A combination of the two will give you the best chance of achieving your career goals and making a successful transition from student life into professional life.