These days there are a lot of educational alternatives to the traditional Bachelor’s Degree. Skill-based “boot camp” programs and short-term career certificates seem enticing . They beckon prospective students with a lower price tag and promises of a faster entry into the workforce. With all these seemingly great options available, is the time and expense of a four-year degree still worth it?
The short answer is YES. Here’s why.
Earnings Potential: The numbers don’t lie. People with a four-year degree earn more on average than those who don’t. Bachelor’s Degree holders earn 41% more than Associate Degree holders, and 50% more than individuals who have some college but no degree. Even accounting for the increased cost of a four-year degree program, the financial payoff is clearly worth it.
Job Opportunities: Employers still use a Bachelor’s Degree (or lack thereof) as a way to slim down their candidate pool. A lot of employers use filters for online applications that will automatically disqualify any candidate that doesn’t have a degree. Even if you’ve got a stellar resume and references, your application may never be seen. In addition, there’s been a trend of requiring a Bachelor’s Degree for positions that previously never required one. The pool of jobs for non-degree holders is getting smaller. Getting a four-year degree opens up more doors.
A Wider Network: It’s estimated that up to 80% of jobs are never publicly listed; they are filled through personal and professional networking. This means the bigger your network, the better your prospects. When you get a four-year degree you spend years growing your network. Professors, classmates, internship supervisors, and study abroad contacts all give you a wider reach than any short-term cohort-based training program ever could.
Soft Skills Development: Soft skills are the non-technical skills a person needs to perform their job – things like effective communication, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and problem solving. More and more employers are finding their new hires lack a solid foundation of soft skills; these skills can’t be taught in a time-limited training program. When you get a four-year degree you are assured you’ll develop the most sought-after soft skills employers are looking for like good written communication, the ability to work in groups, and critical thinking skills.
Guaranteed Quality: Here’s something you might not know: Anybody can open a “training program” and issue a certificate of completion. To ensure an educational institution offers a quality program with a credential that means something, it needs to be accredited. Unfortunately, even some four-year institutions aren’t even accredited. Be aware of the accreditation status of any educational institution you plan to attend.
Advancement Opportunities: Is it possible to get a job with only a short-term certificate? Of course it is. But without a Bachelor’s Degree, your opportunities for career advancement will be limited. Many companies may prefer to offer management positions only to employees who have completed a four year course of study, leaving certificate-holding employees out of the running. In the event your company experiences financial difficulties and you’re laid off, the lack of a Bachelor’s Degree can be a significant barrier to finding new work and despite years of experience, you may only be considered for entry-level positions if all you have is a short-term professional certificate.
Ready to prepare for the career of your dreams? Northwest University offers degrees in many in-demand and lucrative industries. See what they have to offer today!
Northwest University is committed to offering the best academic experience for both in person and online learners. With traditional programs as well as flexible online learning options, there are plenty of options at Northwest University – many of which are specifically geared toward nontraditional adult learners and tuition has been FROZEN for the 2021-2022 academic year. Undergraduate and graduate programs are available, most of which can be designed to work with any student’s schedule. Learn about all the academic options Northwest University offers and request more information today!
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