Will College Graduates of 2024 get a job in today's workforce?

How important is your degree

Is a college degree important? According to Gallup, the percentage of U.S. adults ages 18 to 29 who view college education as “very important” dropped from 74% to 41% in just six years. This is due to experience sections on job qualifications going up and education going down. According to Harvard Business Law Review, "The biggest driver of this trend is due to multiple large companies like Apple, Tesla, IBM, Delta Airlines, and Hilton, who no longer require a college degree for an interview. While a bachelor's degree used to be the key to maintaining a competitive edge over other candidates, now it is your experience and how well you can convey your experience during the interview. Regardless of whether you are applying to a role that requires higher education or who the interviewer is the edge is communicating how your experience makes you qualified for the job.

Education is still a valuable asset

While you may be discouraged by the above information especially if you are a student who has yet to have a job or gain experience, know that education is important to your future success in the workforce because college grads have higher earning potential. They also have options to go further in their careers than those without. According to Forbes, the median lifetime earnings of full-time workers by level of education are those with a high school diploma only earn $1.6 million and those with a bachelor's degree earn $2.8 million. This is roughly $70,000 annually. Of course, the higher your education level the higher your earning potential is. A professional degree has the potential to earn $4.7 million in their lifetime, an average of $117,500 annually.

What qualifies as experience

We have established that education is still significant for your career, but it should not be your only focus. When it comes to pursuing careers beyond college you will want to be well-rounded. Employers are looking for candidates who have practical skills and real-world experience. Luckily for college students there are many ways to find these competitive qualities. Yes, even for those who want to focus on studies and are hesitant to have a job while in school, it should not be your only focus. When it comes to pursuing careers beyond college you will want to be well-rounded. Employers are looking for candidates who have practical skills and real-world experience. Luckily for college students there are many ways to find these competitive qualities. Yes, even for those who want to focus on studies and are hesitant to have a job throughout the school year there are options as well!

This can be done through internships, volunteer experience, freelance work, and getting this in campus organizations as well! The importance is that you gain leadership experience, experience working with deadlines, office equipment and working in teams and managing conflict. For students who have more flexible schedules or are eager to start in the workforce there are part-time and full-time jobs that can get your foot into the workforce. Get the experience you need to get the career you want.

P.S. Remember to be PATIENT, GOOD things take time!

Citations

Busteed, Brandon. “Is College Worth It? That Depends.” Gallup.com, May 28, 2024. https://www.gallup.com/education/237278/college-worth-depends.aspx.

Soren, Kaplan. “How Important Is a College Degree Compared to Experience?” Harvard Business Review, July 27, 2023. https://hbr.org/2023/02/how-important-is-a-college-degree-compared-to-experience.

Nietzel, Michael T. “New Study: College Degree Carries Big Earnings Premium, but Other Factors Matter Too.” Forbes, February 20, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2021/10/11/new-study-college-degree-carries-big-earnings-premium-but-other-factors-matter-too/.