Is a Degree Absolutely Necessary?
Do You Really Need a Degree to Get a High Paying Job?
What happens when your resume doesn’t include a formal education? What if you know you can successfully perform the duties of a job that’s requirements include a degree? Do you really need a degree to land a high paying job? These are tough questions with no easy answers. Employers will vary on what they require and job requirements will vary from one employer to the next.
Good resume turns lack of college degree into advantage
A college degree is a proud educational achievement, no doubt. Still, there’s a lot to be said for experience. Often, positions evolve within a company’s structure and sometimes, the guidelines that must be met for consideration change and expand as well. It’s not uncommon for companies to “grandfather” those employees who’ve been in the position for awhile, but who don’t have a college degree the job now requires.
Other times, on the job training can serve as a substitute for a degree. That’s not to say, however, that those who do enter the job market armed with an excellent resume and a college degree have wasted their time. Indeed, every study on the American economy indicates those with higher educations earn more money from the beginning.
There are times that one has the necessary training and experience and with a great resume, still can’t secure positions that allow them to further their careers in a specific area. Just because your previous position was later modified to include degreed individuals doesn’t mean the next company will take your “grandfathered” status into consideration. In fact, it likely won’t matter at all. Indeed, your options might be limited. That said, you might wish to consider taking the necessary college courses that will enable you to continue with your chosen career. Night classes are an excellent way to secure that degree. More universities are offering online courses, too. It’s become less burdensome for those wishing to secure a degree while maintaining their current work responsibilities.
It’s important to keep in mind, that new co-worker who’s now working in the next office might have hired in making as much or more than what your own current salary is. This just reiterates the power and importance of that college degree. There are times when one’s professional resume is the determining factor in what salary he’s offered and that includes whether or not he’s had formal training at a university.
So while there are no hard and fast rules regarding whether or not a college degree is absolutely necessary to further your career, it’s also always advisable to pursue it for your own reasons. You’ll enjoy access to far more promotions, it will allow you to consider positions you might never have before and it provides a sense of pride – a certain satisfaction in knowing you’ve achieved such an important goal. In today’s job market, every advantage we can get is one worth having. One of those advantages is an impressive job resume that includes a major university in your educational profile; and if you need help with your resume, visit Grand Resume for access to resume templates, how-to’s and tips on how to write an effective resume.
