Mon, Aug 2nd, 2010 @ 12:00 am

When you're looking for a job these days you need every advantage possible to secure the right career. In many industries, there are thousands of applicants competing to fill the same scarce positions. Many companies have frozen hiring indefinitely, or have drastically cut back their workforce. Holding a degree can make all the difference in the cutthroat world of job seeking.

The Importance of Degree to Employers

Many people wonder why degree holders are so sought after in companies looking to hire new staff. The reasoning is simple. The process for earning a bachelor's degree requires the student to delve into a number of disciplines, including the arts, humanities, mathematics, science and logic. There are also degree programs that require internships, cooperative learning and real-world application of the information they have studied. This makes the degree holder a more attractive candidate for many positions. Companies that are downsizing often cut back or eliminate many departments and assign multiple duties to one employee to save money. Having a bachelor's degree implies that you are capable of performing in a variety of functional areas, thus making you more valuable to the company.

The Pay Advantage for Those with a Degree

Salaries are often higher for bachelor's degree holders than for non-degree holders. In general, there is a wide gap between the wages earned for bachelor's degree holders and high school diploma holders. In some instances, that gap is as large as 60 percent. Workers that hold at least a bachelor's degree are more likely to secure positions that offer better benefits, including health insurance and retirement benefits.

The Benefits of a Degree are Many

The benefits to earning a college degree are numerous for the serious career-seeker. Degree holders are perceived by employers to have more marketable skills, be more stable workers and be better equipped to serve in multiple capacities. Career seekers who hold at least a bachelor's degree typically earn more money than those that don't, and may receive better benefits than non-degree holders. Earning your bachelor's degree is not a surefire way to land that perfect career, but it certainly can give you a leg up on your competitors.