Job market heats up for college grads
College may not be for everyone, but those who do decide to pursue a degree are reaping the benefits of better employment prospects in a still-tough job market.
The Bureau of Labor Statistic reports that employment in America has grown by 521,000 jobs since January for Americans with a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to a recent story in USA Today. Contrast that with a loss of 318,000 jobs nationwide for those with only a high school diploma, and it’s easy to see the potential for a growing “education gap” in U.S. employment.
Among veterans, overall unemployment rates in 2010 were higher for those with less education, according to BLS statistics — 11 percent unemployment for those with only a high school diploma vs. 5.3 percent for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
In these tough economic times, education by no means is a golden ticket to employment. In fact, many critics suggest higher education may be a waste of time and money for some.
But it’s difficult to argue with numbers. Many employers, inundated with applications from jobless workers, now want college degrees even for positions where higher education previously was not a requirement, such as customer service. In a job market where potential employees are looking for any edge over competitors, a safe bet still seems to be starting with the benefit of a college degree.
