| More and more people are pursuing their bachelor | | | | counterparts with only a diploma. A candidate should |
| degree education in light of the increasing demand for | | | | realize that the compensation depends on the |
| such certificates among employers. These individuals | | | | company's expectations of him. He shouldn't assume |
| are of the option that higher academic achievements | | | | that such compensation will provide a return on |
| will earn them heftier paychecks. | | | | investment of his educational expenses. |
| Is this really true and sort of value do corporations | | | | Some employers do place a premium on |
| actually place on a bachelor degree? A bachelor | | | | undergraduate qualifications. For entry-level |
| degree provides an advantage in the employment | | | | undergraduate candidates, you can expect close to a |
| market. It's testament to a candidate's depth of | | | | 37% increase in basic salary. Some other companies |
| knowledge and experience in a particular subject or | | | | have a policy to compensate employees based on |
| field. | | | | their academic achievements. For instance, an |
| At times, a bachelor degree is an added bonus for | | | | employee with a bachelor degree will earn an |
| companies seeking individuals who have excelled in | | | | additional 16% compared with his peers whereas a |
| leadership positions, academic qualifications and | | | | Master degree will gain another 16%. |
| extra-curricular activities. Many companies value | | | | In differentiating between the undergraduate |
| undergraduate qualifications, as most demand that | | | | candidate and the non-undergraduate candidate, |
| such credentials come with some relevant work | | | | some would argue that further academic training |
| experience. | | | | nurtures people with superior problem-solving skills. |
| Undergraduate qualifications benefit young job | | | | Many bachelor degree holders have gone through the |
| seekers at entry-level positions, as they can | | | | process of sharpening such skills through the rigorous |
| command a marginal premium in terms of | | | | demands of their studies. They're also perceived as |
| remuneration over non-undergraduates. This is more | | | | being more enthusiastic and committed. |
| so if the bachelor degree is from a reputable | | | | There is an increasing trend of companies seeking |
| university. An undergraduate education gives | | | | recruits with bachelor degrees. As business |
| prospective employers more confidence in hiring a | | | | competition escalates, companies need people with |
| particular candidate, as it forms the basis of his | | | | even more specialized knowledge and strategic |
| competency and capability. | | | | thinking to get ahead. |
| However, it's important to determine the relevance | | | | The relevance of the undergraduate degree depends |
| of the degree to the job the candidate is applying | | | | on the nature of company's work. A bachelor degree |
| for. The value of an undergraduate degree varies | | | | in business management is a generic qualification that |
| from company to company though. It depends on | | | | gives a person a balanced foundation in managing a |
| what is required of the employee. Some companies | | | | business. |
| look for academic qualifications but others focus on | | | | After all, undergraduate programs provide candidates |
| skills. | | | | with the techniques needed for specialized jobs. From |
| The value of such academic credentials can be | | | | the employer's perspective, there is an added level of |
| quantified in terms of remuneration and other | | | | confidence in knowing that lessons learnt while |
| benefits. However, in determining the compensation | | | | pursuing an undergraduate degree empower the |
| package, the employer may also look at criteria like | | | | employee to perform better. The methodology on |
| the candidate's previously drawn salary and work | | | | analysis, strategy, trends and academic research |
| experience. | | | | work broaden the individual's knowledge of selected |
| As a conservative estimate, most undergraduate | | | | fields. |
| candidates may earn 20% to 30% more than their | | | | |