Are university educations the best you can get?

Work Placements and Qualifications Can Give an Edge in the Employment Market

Finding the right type of job is never an easy task, especially in today’s competitive employment market. Making the choice between obtaining a university degree and plunging straight into employment can also be difficult task but obtaining a qualification may give you an edge during that job hunt.

No two employers are alike when it comes to the qualities they desire from potential employees but having a mix of qualifications and work experience on your resume may be a winning combination.

Work placements and qualifications

Graduates can have just as tough a time as anyone when it comes to finding a suitable job and having that degree doesn’t guarantee instant employment. Most potential employers will look favorably on those who have studied to obtain their qualifications but some can be concerned about a lack of actual job experience. Today’s universities understand this employer concern, which is why ‘on the job’ training has now become a major part of degree courses.

Employment via higher education

For many students it’s not an either/or decision when it comes to work and study. Many do have part-time jobs while attending university in order to help with funding throughout their college life. However, some educational institutes do advise against working and some actually ban this practice altogether due to the already high curriculum workloads. Seeking out those courses that include work-experience can be one way to achieve an employment status on your resume without the need to take on additional work outside of your course.

International employment considerations

Having some type of formal qualification can give you the edge over your competitors and not just in the U.S. Studying and working abroad has always been an excellent way to gain some life experience, see the world and obtain international employment experience on a resume. Business programmes in Manchester for example offer work experience and internships to help students enhance their professional development. Graduates should keep in mind that there is stiff competition for jobs in major international cities. In London for example, approximately 60% of the workforce is made up of graduates and the amount of working-age adults in the UK with a degree has doubled in size in the last 20 years. Students do of course have the option of studying through foreign higher educational institutes and this can sometimes lead to employment opportunities abroad.

Additional benefits of a degree

A degree can open many doors and there are additional benefits including better pay levels and enhanced career opportunities. Non-graduates are often limited when it comes to their job choices although there is the chance to progress within the company they work for. However, many non-graduates do make the choice to attend higher education later in life, mainly due to qualifications providing more job opportunities. Having a degree under your belt at an earlier age does mean years of initial study but once you have obtained that qualification you can then begin to set your career path immediately.

There are definite benefits to holding higher educational qualifications in the workplace arena. A degree plus some work experience is probably one of the most attractive propositions for employers and may be just the edge needed to win that desired job.

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