Two responses will be a common refrain, better grades or the college should be a stepping stone to a great job that will earn them tons of money.
Similar questions posed to parents and the answers again will be as varied and diverse. Most of the parents will say, they hope that their kids study well, get good grades and eventually land up with good jobs that are financially rewarding.
Some want their kids to get high marks that will get them admission into the leading graduate skills, a virtual certainty that post graduation they will have successful careers.
Amazingly, a percentage of parents believe that college will help bring a little amount of discipline in their lives and they will stop indulging in teenage partying and fun occasionally to spend some time in academic corridors.
In the third targeted category fall the employers and their responses will again be diverse and self-serving.
However, the fact remains that to get a job, there could be umpteen factors that could help you land one. It could be getting a degree, or internship. Most certainly working experience would be an invaluable tool and in today's world where connections count, the right ones could also help you get that coveted job.
The US Census Bureau reports that 39 million US teens have a bachelor's degree. They form a small portion of the 281 million people living in the country. But since they are a considerable number, the competition is intense. Depending solely on a Bachelor's degree to beat the competition may not really be the best way to get a job for there is a danger of others beating you to the finish line.
You may have a Degree, but your presentation matters more
There have been many job aspirants who in spite of their high academic qualifications lost out on jobs because they lacked the appropriate experience. When employer asks if the applicant has sufficient experience in their field of specialization, they don't really expect you to be masters in them. They are just looking for someone with a broad range of knowledge. So whatever limited work you have done in your field, mention it. It could be the difference between your getting the job and failing to get it.
Degrees have their worth
A degree may not be required for quite a few jobs, but would become imperative if your job was research-intensive. For example without a degree you may get a job in the museum, but to move up in the hierarchy and become the museum's curator, you may need a degree in art and history. Surely, those with similar qualifications would stand a better chance of advancement than you.
On the other hand, you could replenish your existing degree with another degree, even while you work. Many companies willingly allow their employees to advance their education, which could make them more useful and competent at their jobs. Such workers would surely be a step ahead from those workers who decided not to diversify and are content with their single degrees that has already provided them with employment.
Presenting yourself with elan
- Effective presentation is half the battle won. Many interviewers say that even before the interview began, there was something in an applicant that appealed to him. It would be helpful if you remember some of these presentation tips.
- Education may not be the single most important factor in getting you a job and work experience will probably count more. But don’t allow your degree to take second stage, in your eagerness to tout your work experience. Education is also important and education with experience would make for a very potent force.
- Maximize your education to your advantage. Milk it for all its worth. Connect it with the job that you are seeking and point out how it could become advantageous and relevant to your work.
- Speak from a position of authority. Not as if you are entering the professional world, but as someone who is already part of it. If you speak as a student, your employer might brand you a novice.
