- April 4, 2014
- 12:25 pm
- Walter Pearson
What are employers looking for?
What does a college degree mean?
Completion of a college degree may help satisfy a requirement for hiring or promotion, and it does so because it signifies a number of qualities the candidate is likely to possess. A degree from a quality institution demonstrates the degree holder’s capacity to reason from facts and engage in thoughtful and clear writing, empathy for others, the ability to work cooperatively within diverse settings, an understanding of our place in a rapidly changing global context and analytic and quantitative reasoning. These are qualities employers are looking for — qualities our society needs. Employers are paying more for college graduates, even when a degree is not a formal requirement of the job. In the “Weathering the Economic Storm” study from Georgetown University, those holding a bachelor’s degree typically received 37 percent more in salary in low-education jobs than those with a high school education. Employers are paying a premium even when a degree is not required. The degree matters.
What are employers looking for?
Employers say they are looking for a demonstrated capacity to
- think critically
- communicate clearly
- solve complex problems
- ethical judgment and integrity
- intercultural skills
- the capacity for continued new learning
- written and oral communication
- applied knowledge in real-world settings
- broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences
These are the characteristics of a Loyola education.