An academic degree is a credential that a student earns upon completing a level of education. In academic terms, a degree refers specifically to a credential given at the university level. However, with respect to the workforce, employers may consider any education credential, including a high school diploma and a training certificate, to qualify as a degree.
A degree is an important part of many people’s lifetime. It is an experience unlike any other qualifications could offer, but the important question is, is it important enough to spend all of that time and money to having a degree?
Why you need academic degree to be successful: A degree is important for many reasons, including improved career stability, professional network and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact in the community.
With more and more careers requiring advanced education, a degree can be critical to your success in today’s workforce market. Research indicates that earning a degree can have a significant and expansive impact on your life. It also has the potential to help you positively impact your career.
There are many degrees that have a very high return on investment. If the expected income you will make with your career choice is high, and the tuition for your program is affordable, then a degree will be well worth your time.
Different Category\Types of Academic Degree
There are three different category of academic degree, They includes:
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Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree refers to an undergraduate degree given upon completion of a four-year course of study, though students commonly complete bachelor’s degree programs in three, five or six years. Those working toward a bachelor’s degree choose a major, or a specialized area of study. To earn the degree, you must meet general education requirements, complete the required coursework for the major and take a minimum number of electives.
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Master’s degree
A master’s degree is a postgraduate qualification or a degree you earn beyond the bachelor’s level. A master’s program typically takes two years to complete, during which time you aim to master a specific area of study or professional discipline. To earn a master’s degree, you must complete a specified number of credit hours, and many programs require that you complete a thesis, or a research paper that integrates your learning, demonstrates your mastery and supports your eligibility for degree conferral.
Read – Role of Adults Education in Community Development
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Doctoral degree
A doctoral degree is the highest academic qualification you can earn, signifying that you’re an expert in an area of study or professional discipline. There are two types of doctoral degrees:
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Ph.D.: The Ph.D., or Doctor of Philosophy, is a research-oriented degree, representing the highest level of understanding about a subject.
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Professional doctorate: A professional doctorate is an applied degree, meaning that the holder can apply principles in their field to real-world scenarios. An MD, or Doctor of Medicine, is an example of a professional doctorate.
Why You Need Academic Degree to be Successful
Here are 11 important reasons why you need academic degree to be successful.
1. You Need a Degree Build a Professional Network
When you look for a job after graduation, having a professional network in place can be a big help. A degree gives you a chance to build this network. Talking to faculty, meeting alumni in your field, and taking part in events and conferences your school holds can help you gain networking opportunities. Your professional network can make it easier to get your foot in the door of a company you want to work at or find out more about what it is like to work in your chosen field.
2. You Need a Degree for Increased Salary Potential
Completing higher levels of education typically results in higher annual earnings from your profession.
When you have a degree, your chance of earning more money increases considerably. Holding a bachelor’s degree could potentially earn you a significantly larger salary compared to those with less advanced education.
3. Increase Chances of Employment
It’s not uncommon to see “bachelor’s and masters degree required” on job descriptions or listed as a preferred qualification.
A degree in medicine is considered to be one of the most employable degrees of all time and no matter how fierce the competition is, stats show that usually individuals with a medicine degree land a job within 6 months of leaving school.
4. Expand Your Opportunities
An academic degree can be the extra credential you need to land the dream job you’ve always wanted. Getting your degree may also allow you to view your work as a career and not just a job.
For better or worse, there is an algorithm to hiring nowadays. Some companies have software that will discard resumes submitted with no degrees or irrelevant experience.
Some hiring managers are under pressure to produce the best applicants possible and will therefore choose academic degree as a way to filter out some of their applicant pool.
5. Some Industries Require Degrees
One of the reasons why you need academic degree to be successful is because some industries are more likely to require degrees, such as fields of psychology or hard sciences, whereas some areas are more heavily dependent on relevant skills, such as some areas of technology and business. Those looking to get into marketing, design, programming or content creation may not need a degree, but a good portfolio showcasing past projects will be crucial.
6. Degree Provide You With In-depth Knowledge of Certain Subject
A degree can provide you with in-depth knowledge of a certain subject and teach you skills that come in handy for the career you choose. However, the benefits of academic degree go beyond academics. The program experience overall can offer opportunities to meet new friends, explore your interests, discover your passion, and enrich your life.
7. Academic Degree Provide You With Important Benefits
While not all careers require a college degree, getting one can provide you with important benefits. An academic degree could be beneficial regardless of your career plans. The skills and experience you gain during your program can help you in many other areas of your life, including your health and social life.
8. Pursue Your Interests and Passions
Going for a degree program allows you to learn more about topics or subjects that interest you. You might also have a chance to explore your passions in greater depth or find new ones. Spending time focusing on your interests and passions can help you choose a career path. If you have multiple interests or passions, degree can help you narrow these down, which can make it easier for you to decide what you want to do for a living.
9. Sense of Accomplishment
Earning an academic degree can provide you with a strong sense of accomplishment. Having your degree means that you were able to put in the time and effort to learn new material, develop new skills, pass exams, complete projects, and handle all other tasks required to graduate. Regardless of how your career goes after graduating, you can always feel proud of your hard-earned degree.
10. Sharpen Your Skills
When you go for academic degree, you can expect to work on developing and improving certain skills. While the exact skills you learn can vary depending on what you are studying, some skills are provided in nearly every liberal arts education, such as writing, public speaking, and technological skills. You can work on improving skills you already have or discover new skills that turn out to be strengths for you. Some of the skills you learn in school can be used in different areas of your life, such as communication skills that you can use at your job and in your interpersonal relationships or technological skills that you might need in any job.
11. Challenge Yourself
Going for academic degree gives you an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself. You might do this by studying a subject that you do not know much about or learning a new skill, such as a foreign language. Doing your best on projects, tests, and assignments in any class you take also allows you to challenge yourself. This can boost your self-confidence and help you make the most of your college experience.
