5 Ways to Increase the Value of a College Degree in a Competitive Job Market
By J.K. Dennis
Face it. There is a great chance that your
four year degree will lose its value in the
job market. As more students graduate with
degrees, the value of the degree drops. Some
degrees drop in value more than others, and
a few are just downright worthless from the
start. It isn’t surprising to me that those
students who major in Accounting or Nursing
find it less difficult getting "real jobs."
However, I’m puzzled by bright students who
major in Creative Writing and don’t understand
why they are answering telephones at mortgage
companies after graduation.
Who is to blame? The great professor
who convinced "you" to major in Philosophy?
The academic adviser who told "you" to
major in Music? These are terrific majors,
but they don’t necessarily lead to jobs
that allow you to get your own apartment
and buy your own car. Sure, you need to
find a major that you enjoy, but you need
to be realistic. Good jobs are not as
easy to find as you think. A college degree
may prepare folks for many different things,
but it mostly prepares people to enter
the job market. Sooner or later, you realize
half of the people you must compete with
have degrees too, and they have loads
of work experience, sophisticated skills,
and all kinds of marketable qualities.
Employers can cherrypick from a crowd
of old and new talent. I don’t want you
to think that your future is not bright.
There is always light at the end of the
tunnel, but that light could be a train.
So what do you do if you are completing
a degree and you think it won’t necessarily
lead to a job? What do you do if you have
a degree and you want a better job? You
have to acquire the skills that the job
market rewards people for having. Here
are five examples of what I mean:
Example #1: Learn a foreign language.
Globalization has brought nations closer
together. Most people know that being
able to speak a foreign language is an
enormous asset. Spanish, French, and German
are popular languages to study, and they
are found in most college curricula. However,
there is a strong demand for people who
can speak Japanese, Chinese, or Arabic.
Whether you select Spanish or Chinese,
the best way to learn a foreign language
is to live in a country where the language
is spoken. If you can’t move, then you
should surround yourself with people who
speak the language.
Example #2: Learn to do something unique
with computers.
Though the technology bubble burst, people
with computer expertise are still very
attractive to employers. Anybody can send
emails, but most people cannot design
webpages, troubleshoot, or master the
latest computer software. Having at least
one strong computer-related skill besides
word processing can easily set you apart
from the crowd. Sometimes, learning from
a local computer wizard is much better
than taking a college course.
Example #3: Learn how to communicate
Being a good communicator is more than
learning how to write well and speak clearly.
Communication is both an act and an art.
Different audiences have different needs,
and you will have to communicate messages
in different ways. You might think a course
or two in speech or composition will do
the trick. Maybe. I recommend an acting
class and a good technical writing course
that emphasizes proposal writing.
Example #4: Learn how to sale
We live in a service economy. While more
and more items are being made in countries
where labor is cheap, selling still takes
place at home. Basically, selling is figuring
out how to create a demand for supply.
Most students flock to marketing courses,
but I would recommend a course or two
in Psychology, so you can figure out what
actually makes people tick. However, nothing
teaches you how to sell like experience
selling. I recommend that students start
by volunteering in political campaigns.
They provide powerful learning experiences
in the art of selling and great networking
opportunities.
Example #5: Learn how to be an entrepreneur
After acquiring some of the skills that
I outlined above, you should consider
starting a small business. There are continuing
education courses and tons of books that
can show you how your hobby, talent, skill,
or expertise has value beyond an employer.
The tax breaks and extra income are great
incentives. Plus, your business might
boom and make you a nice nest egg. Your
savings can help you weather the storm
after your boss suddenly decides that
your wonderful skills are no longer enough
to keep you on the payroll.
J.K. Dennis has been a college teacher
and academic adviser for over twelve years.
He is the author of "Don't Graduate:
Lessons for College Success that Actually
Make Sense" (forthcoming Summer 2006).
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