One Degree At A Time

More Americans today enter college than they did in past generations — only 10 percent of Americans held college degrees in 1973, and 21 percent have one today, the AP says. That being the case, Lawrence Mishel of the Economic Policy Institute in Washington predicts that the unemployment rate for college graduates will reach a record 4 or 5 percent in 2009. His comment to the AP: College-educated workers “are going to experience the kind of pain that has been common for people with less education.”

My daughter just completed her second year of college. As we discussed her summer plans, which of course translates “GO FIND A JOB” to me. I began to ponder the challenges that are in front of college graduates, and even more so in front of college students that may make the decision to quit school and jump into the workforce. That would not be my recommendation for any current college student. If you are in school and you haven’t completed your degree, don’t quit now. This is not the time to be in the market without a degree. Especially if you don’t already have a job. A college degree today is very important when competing for salaried positions and even some hourly positions in the current employment market. Without a degree, you put yourself in a different tier of job seekers. You may be wondering what I mean by different tier so let me explain. Think about the structure of organizations. Someone is always in charge. There are entry level, hourly positions, there are entry level management positions, and there are mid-level managers, senior managers and executives.

Many organizations look like that and there are many that don’t. The bottom line is there is always someone in charge and there are worker bees. Add layers as it suits your fancy. My question, “where do you want to be when they are handing out positions?” My dad’s advice to me many years ago, “was don’t put yourself in the position where you have to take orders. Position yourself to be the person giving orders.” That was great advice for me. Not that I have ever run a large organization, however I have found my way into management more often than not over the years, because of his advice. My point – given the times we live in today, your degree or no degree may force you to be in a specific tier of employees than you anticipated if you make the decision to not complete your education. No degree is an easy out for employers to say, “no degree, no consideration.” Is it fair? Nope! But it is reality. Ask me how I know?

By no means is my urgency meant to convey that a degree is your silver bullet to success in finding employment. It is not. There are no guarantees, with or without a degree. But you at least give yourself a fighting chance with a degree.

More than 20 years ago when I graduated from high school, the value of an undergraduate degree was very high. As a college prep student, honors student and attending a nationally ranked school, we were encouraged to go to college when we graduated. More than 70% of our graduating class of about 550 students did go on to college and I was one of them. It was in my heart and I couldn’t imagine going in another direction after high school. There are high school students who will graduate over the next few weeks. Some will choose college and others will take a chance, and hope they can find a job in this market.

Given the current employment climate, I would say that a college degree is even more valuable today than 20 years ago. Why? Let me restate my point: given the times we live in today, your degree or no degree may force you to be in a specific tier of employees than you anticipated if you make the decision to not complete your education. No degree is an easy out for employers to say, “no degree, no consideration.” If you want to compete for jobs, get the degree, find an internship and work your butt off and learn how to market your skills and abilities – and then watch. Even in a crazy economy with the unemployment rate still rising, you will find that a door will open. I still believe people can find jobs today. They are out there. The question you have to ask yourself – “Why should they hire you?” When you have the answer to that question, you will get a job!

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