{"id":325,"date":"2015-01-15T19:07:57","date_gmt":"2015-01-15T19:07:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/business\/?p=325"},"modified":"2015-06-09T18:17:21","modified_gmt":"2015-06-09T18:17:21","slug":"what-is-the-value-of-an-undergraduate-degree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/business\/2015\/01\/15\/what-is-the-value-of-an-undergraduate-degree\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Value of an Undergraduate Degree?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Lisa A. Burke-Smalley, PHD, SPHR<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"burke-lisa\"<\/a>
Dr. Lisa Burke-Smalley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a general rule, the unemployment rate for college graduates is far less than those with only a high school diploma, and a bachelor\u2019s degree adds significantly to one\u2019s earnings over the span of a lifetime. For those reasons, and many others, an undergraduate degree can be a good investment, particularly in high demand areas such as science, technology\/computer science, engineering, healthcare, and business. [see Carnavale & Cheah \u201cHard Times,\u201d 2013 report, Center on Education & the Workforce, Georgetown University].<\/p>\n

When it comes to business majors, future employment prospects differ, as seen in the following table based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Job Title<\/strong><\/td>\nEmployment, 2010<\/strong><\/td>\nDemand: Forecasted % Change 2010-2020<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Human Resource Specialists<\/td>\n442,200<\/td>\n21%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Computer and Information Systems Managers<\/td>\n307,900<\/td>\n18%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Accountants & Auditors<\/td>\n1,216,900<\/td>\n16%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers<\/td>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

216,800<\/td>\n

14%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Human Resource Managers<\/td>\n71,800<\/td>\n13%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sales Managers<\/td>\n342,100<\/td>\n12%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Budget Analysts<\/td>\n62,100<\/td>\n10%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Financial Managers<\/td>\n527,100<\/td>\n9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Industrial Production Managers<\/td>\n150,300<\/td>\n9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Purchasing Managers, Buyers, Purchasing Agents<\/td>\n487,200<\/td>\n7%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tax examiners, collectors, agents<\/td>\n74,500<\/td>\n7%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Source: United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook<\/em>, 2012-13 Edition. Washington: GPO. Retrieved 7\/22\/13 at http:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Individuals in any undergraduate business major can increase their employment prospects upon graduation by getting internships or other types of pre-professional work experience. Hands-on experience is critical to providing important context for students to learn how businesses operate and how all the functional areas in an organization inter-relate and add value (e.g., finance, marketing, human resources, accounting).<\/p>\n

Regardless of major, students should also concentrate on honing their \u201csoft skills\u201d- put simply, most employers in the hiring phase continue to emphasize: communication skills (i.e., writing, speaking, interpersonal), teamwork, flexibility, problem solving, and a positive attitude. If not refined, these areas could easily become a \u201cfatal flaw\u201d despite a graduate\u2019s stronger technical skills (Zenger & Folkman, 2008).<\/p>\n

Helping Business Students Hone Their Soft Skills<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Decosimo Student Success Center offers College of Business students a variety of opportunities to improve their soft skills. Make plans to attend one or both of the events below:<\/p>\n

Real Resume Review<\/strong><\/p>\n