Degree vs. Experience: Benefits of Getting a College Degree

Have you ever felt stuck in your professional life? What you’ve been doing, or where you’ve been working isn’t as fulfilling as it used to be? Of course, you have. Nearly everyone has probably felt that way at one time or another, but how do they make a change?

By returning to school and earning your college degree, you can give yourself the tools to forge a new path and pursue your passion.

When you go to college you are embarking on a journey that will carry you not just to your next new job, but through life and the years of experiences that follow. You are given an opportunity to master something that you find most interesting, as well as do it for a living. Also, the respect that comes with earning your degree is genuine. People cannot deny your hard work ethic and accomplishment.

When you learn something new, there is an effect on your thought process that enables you to think differently than you did before. The challenge of higher education is that it has become the stigma of many who think that getting a degree is pointless and not worth the time or money. Let’s take a look at the benefits of why earning a degree is not only worth it but can ultimately be life-changing in a variety of settings.

Benefits of Having a Degree

Higher Earning Potential

For people who believe that getting a four-year degree is not worth it, think again. According to Forbes,” the median salary for workers with high school diplomas in the United States is $38,792, and they have an average unemployment rate of 3.7% as of 2019. By contrast, the median salary for workers with bachelor’s degrees is $64,896, and their unemployment rate is just 2.2% on average.”

Becoming a Master in Your Field

In whatever degree program you decide to pursue, earning your degree comes with the benefits of being held to a higher standard. When you go to college, you are not only taught the elements of your future vocation but you are also taught soft skills, as well as critical-thinking coursework. College also teaches you problem-solving skills and how to tackle real-world responsibilities. For example, the ability to multitask while managing multiple projects at the same time stands out to companies.

Training programs in most companies are not used to give you an advanced degree, but as a way to introduce the history of the company and other technical skills, you will need to know about to do your job effectively. Even having an associate’s degree can help you understand how to use different Microsoft programs, as well as other relevant experience you need to jump-start your career to another level.

Having a background in what you will be working toward is more beneficial than relying solely on on-the-job training. Most entry-level jobs scratch the surface in regard to technical skills. By mastering what you want to do within a company, hiring managers will find more benefits in finding a position for you. Some companies will even create a position for you if they feel the knowledge you have can be beneficial. Most schools are now allowing students to gain experience, while they study their craft. Hiring managers have found this to be beneficial in the overall work performance of candidates who received their college degrees.

Demonstrated Ability to Learn

When seeking out candidates, potential employers generally lean on the side of picking candidates with college degrees versus solely real-world experience, because those with a completed degree not only show persistence and dedication but also an in-depth understanding of the skills needed for the position and industry as a whole.

“According to AAC&U's newest employer research, 82% of business executives and 75% of hiring managers believe that it is very important or essential to complete a college education. 88% of business executives and 85% of hiring managers also believe college degrees are worth the time and effort necessary to graduate,” in reference to a LinkedIn article by certified career analyst Rajiv Nagare

“Some employers believe that bachelor's or master's degree holders from reputed colleges or universities are already instilled with job-ready skills.”

Your Next Step

Colorado Christian University not only provides industry experience but also provides an opportunity to integrate the values and standards that you hold dear in each course. During your CCU Online experience, you will learn industry-relevant skills, as well as how faith can follow you through your personal and professional life.

Colorado Christian University does not guarantee any job placement as a result of earning this or any other degrees offered by the university.