Your Degree Matters: How Higher Education Amplifies Career Opportunities

Expensive, time-consuming and academically rigorous - and yet, millions worldwide continue to opt for Higher Education. In fact, there is considerable competition among Professionals and Graduates to enter a certain program from prestigious institutions. Seeing the pitfalls of student loans and all-night study sessions, you may have wondered why people opt for Higher Education.

Here are a few reasons why Higher Education not only remains popular among students but evolved to accommodate our changing times:

• Employability:

The strongest factor that impacts the decision to apply to a university is employability. Degree holders, ranging from Bachelor’s degrees to Ph.D. graduates, have significantly higher levels of job opportunities available to them than non-degree holders. With employers demanding greater degree levels for job openings, growth-driven Professionals will certainly prioritise earning a relevant degree to boost their chances of employment.

• Specific Job Roles:

Certain specialised career opportunities demand a specific degree. For example, professionals in the medical field must have an MD or an MBBS degree, regardless of which field they choose to specialise in. This is because these programs offer ultra-specific technical skills and knowledge that are required for the day-to-day operations of Professionals in those fields. This knowledge cannot be reliably obtained anywhere else, so aspiring doctors and surgeons go to Medical school for training.

• Promotions:

In the professional landscape, it is not unusual for higher-level professionals to hold higher-level degrees.  For example, there may be senior business executives who hold a DBA (although it is not mandatory). For those aspiring to reach the senior echelons of their careers, earning a higher-level degree can indicate that they possess the required knowledge and skillset to merit a promotion from their current position.

• Higher Salaries:

Reports offered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) confirm that degree holders are frequently offered higher salaries than non-degree holders. By way of better job titles and higher employment prospects, it is not inconceivable that advanced degree holders would also command higher salaries. For example, an IDBA-holding executive manager can negotiate for a higher salary in his or her position by way of the additional skills and abilities they bring to the table.

• Industry Relevancy:

Industries are innovating and evolving at breakneck speed. A Professional’s industry repertoire can become obsolete extremely quickly. That is why Upskilling is on the rise - Professionals across industries are eager to keep themselves updated on the latest happenings and skill demands. Relevant Higher Education can elevate one’s professional standing, upgrade their skills and increase their career longevity.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2022/06/01/new-report-shows-college-degree-continues-to-provide-better-employment-prospects-and-higher-income/?sh=44b473032358 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/karadennison/2023/04/13/the-importance-of-upskilling-and-continuous-learning-in-2023/ 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/darrenshimkus/2019/03/06/the-upskilling-imperative-why-accomplishments-alone-wont-earn-you-a-promotion/