Catherine M. Wehlburg, Ph.D., President (Interim) Athens State University.
Take a look at the recent job openings for your company or industry—have you seen changes in the requirements for hiring? It seems that a college degree was once an obligatory element of even entry-level positions, but that has been changing. Some of that change is good—but there are many good reasons to require a college degree for specific job openings.
The Benefits Of A Degree
A college degree can provide specific knowledge and skill development that is needed—not only specific job-related skills but also problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork skills and more.
Through the process of taking courses and interacting with a diverse community of other students, faculty and staff, a college graduate has had experience interacting with different backgrounds and different ideas. These discussions can truly broaden their horizons. These skills are invaluable in any career and can enable college graduates to approach challenges creatively and show adaptability.
Many majors in college allow an individual student to specialize in a particular field of study. That might be accounting, music or special education—and students who have gone through these degree programs have gained expertise and practical skills that are directly applicable to their future careers. This specialization allows employers to hire someone who is ready to step into their new position.
Additionally, college and university graduates know how to plan and complete their education. They have shown that they can complete a multi-year project. Contrary to what popular movies might show, college students are not just there for the fun—successful graduates have shown that they take their academics seriously. College graduates have learned how to set goals, manage their time and navigate many complexities. They have had to demonstrate resilience, communication and leadership skills—all things that will help them in their next job placement.
Reconsidering Qualifications
While there have been employers in the news that have eliminated a college degree as a requirement for certain jobs, this only makes sense if the job is one where needed skills can be taught in training. For many jobs, the skills and experiences required can’t be fully described by bullet points—more is needed.
As Dr. Lynn Pasquerella said, “I think there’s a prevailing national rhetoric that’s calling into question the value of higher education in general, but liberal education in particular, because they see the humanities and arts taking place within the ivory tower as a willful disconnect from the practical matters of everyday life, and the sole purpose of higher education today is viewed as employability.”
But, since so many new types of jobs are being developed, having a credential from an accredited institution can help prepare an employee with the skills needed to continue learning and solving novel problems. Therefore, while not every job posting should have a college degree requirement, there are many times when a college degree can add value to the quality of job applicants.
Considerations And Advice For Company Leaders
When company leaders are deciding whether a college degree is necessary for a specific position, they should consider several factors and ask some important questions about the needs of the company and the particular aspects of the position.
For example, given the job duties and responsibilities of the position, are there any legal or industry standards that might mandate a degree for this role (for example, is there a medical license or an engineering certificate needed)?
Company leaders also need to consider whether or not the skills and experiences needed could be acquired through alternate means—is a degree necessary to demonstrate proficiency, or would other training or certifications be sufficient?
Leaders should also think about the investment that the company is making in a new hire—there are times when it is more cost-effective to hire a candidate with an existing degree than it is to bring in someone who has to go through additional training to demonstrate the attainment of needed skills. In many instances, it may be a good idea to require a degree when the position demands specialized knowledge of skills that are typically acquired through a formal educational process.
However, company leaders should aim for a balance that ensures that they are hiring the most qualified candidates while remaining flexible and inclusive in their hiring practices.
Workforce needs are changing—and the significant transformation will continue. We need employees who understand technological advancements, the impact of AI and can look beyond training for the “now” and see what will be needed for the future. By better understanding these changes, employers can look for their next employee by seeing the value of their background and how it has prepared them for this new and exciting workforce.
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