What a ‘Meaningless’ BA Degree Tells Employers
Many Say That College Degrees Serve No Purpose but Some Employers Disagree
A s a recruiter, I constantly hear about the dissatisfaction of job seekers. When I’m on LinkedIn, frustrated candidates are pouring out their emotions and venting frustrations about job advertisements that require a diploma just to apply.
Of course we have all heard about the success stories of people who dropped out of college and became billionaires, but those exceptions aren’t the rule. Based on many conversations that I have had with hiring managers, here’s what — at the very minimum — a university credential does prove to some employers:
You can meet deadlines and work under pressure
It takes about four years (and 120 credits) to obtain a BA degree. That’s a lot of classes to attend, papers to write, and speeches to give in front of your peers. Well, the real world is no different. The age-old adage is still true: Time is money. In today’s workplace, we are always having to work a break-neck speeds and meet demanding deadlines so we are not devoured by our competition. In every sense, college is a microcosm of real life.
You can be organized
Every semester you attend a university, you have to sign up for classes, follow your counselor’s plan to meet graduation requirements, buy your books, and get your reports done on time. In a word: organization. If you don’t jump through all of those hoops and get at least a passing grade in each class, then you can’t graduate. If you can do all of that for four years, then you will get a piece of paper that says “diploma,” which is essentially a sort of hunting license to be able to apply for jobs. Going through that journey, absolutely, is training for being able to have the stamina to perform in the corporate world.
You have basic tech skills
It’s just about impossible to graduate in modern times without having basic tech skills. Not only will you need to use a computer and the internet to sign up for classes, you will need to know how to use Microsoft Office and other software products to present projects to your professors. Employers want candidates who are well-versed in technology because the world runs on it.
You can work in groups
One of the staples of modern education is group work. They are even doing it in kindergarten. Having students (of all ages) work in groups makes them accountable and teaches them how to cooperate with each other. Well, it goes without saying that the modern workplace is like that also. In a bygone era, many people in certain professions worked in isolation and that was fine back then. But now, people in all industries are working together in offices and virtually. University teaches adults what the modern workplace expects.
You can write and research
One of the most desirable skills employers look for is writing ability. Going through four years of college writing academic papers is going to make you a better writer — period. Students are required to write at least one paper for each class, and sometimes many more. That’s a lot of academic writing and citations from research. Writing papers in college teaches us to be specific and persuasive. There is no profession that doesn’t require writing, even if it’s just an email to vendors. Employers want well-spoken and well-read candidates who can articulate ideas precisely because those employees represent the companies they work for.
Final thoughts
Job seekers have a right to be dismayed by the current state of affairs. There are, most certainly, very capable people out there who don’t have a college degree. In fact, I’ve met many outstanding candidates in the past who did not possess a college degree and they could outperform some people with a master’s degree. But, unfortunately, some companies will never give those job seekers who don’t hold academic credentials a chance to prove themselves.
I know firsthand how frustrating it can be. I actually did not go to college until I was almost 40 years old. At that ‘old age,’ I obtained my AA, BA, and master’s degree and made honor roll and dean’s list the entire time. To the people who are terrified of doing going back to college, I want to say you should consider it. Be brave, borrow money from the government if you have to, and get it done. You won’t regret it.
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