First Step Toward Career Success: Degree Completion

Earning a bachelor’s degree can be a valuable step toward career success. Fewer than 5 percent of bachelor’s degree-holders over the age of 25 are unemployed, compared to a national unemployment rate that is over 9 percent.
Despite the benefits of degree programs, many students do not complete the process due to perceived barriers, such as a full-time job, family commitments or worries about achieving a balance between their personal and professional lives. Others are eager to start a career and make money.
Although they may think they are getting a “head start” on their careers, many of these students will find that former classmates who completed their degrees have quickly caught up with them professionally and are better equipped to achieve longevity and advancement in their career.
“Job seekers drastically improve their chances of getting hired by developing what I call ‘the full suite’ –skills, experience and education,” said Joyce Barden, CPA, CBM, senior professor at DeVry University. “It all starts with education.”
Regardless of how long you have been out of the classroom, completing a degree program helps to ensure a competitive edge in the job market.
Here are four compelling reasons to re-commit to education and complete your degree:

Open doors to your future.

A bachelor’s degree could be the ticket to a new career or a stepping stone to advancement in your current field. By completing your degree, you will master a skill set and possibly uncover hidden strengths.

Increase your salary.

Last year, full-time workers with college degrees earned 83 percent more than those with only a high-school diploma.

Build your network.

Returning to school will help you meet new people, develop potential business partnerships and explore new avenues for career growth. Everyone we allow into our network can offer new ideas that will help us to grow personally and professionally.

There is a program that works for you.

Whether you take online courses or attend classes on campus, you should know that many schools are committed to accommodating students’ busy schedules.
Such schools often offer integrated programs that allow full-time or part-time students to learn at their own pace through an accelerated track or a more traditional program.
Annette R. Uncangco, MS, director of career services at DeVry University, recommends finding a school that offers flexible scheduling options that allow students to complete their education while balancing current job and family commitments.
Advancements in education have helped to remove many previous barriers to going back to school, allowing many to complete the education they started. Despite your past, it’s never too late to invest in your future.