Earning a college degree is touted as a major benchmark in a person’s life, one that positions you to reach further societal milestones and greater career opportunities. Even with public sentiment souring on higher education with rising tuition and student loan debt making it a less practical option, a degree remains a requirement for many well-paid jobs in today’s economy—a sobering reality for millions of workers.
For decades, companies have required college degrees as a prerequisite for applicants, alienating more than 70 million people in the U.S., or half the workforce. This “paper ceiling” prevents those without a bachelor’s degree from applying to many jobs. They are often limited to low-to-middle-wage jobs, even if they have the skills for higher-wage positions. This emphasis on a degree is costing otherwise qualified workers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
TAKE ACTION
• Learn more about the paper ceiling.
• Join the Debt Collective’s student debt strike.
• Consider what biases you have towards people without college degrees. How does prioritizing degrees over skills and experience shift the labor market? Who is affected by this shift? What value do we assign to higher education and degrees? Is it worth it?
• For employers and hiring managers: Assess your hiring practices and how you screen prospective candidates. Is a degree necessary for the position? How can you benefit from and incorporate more skills-based hiring?
• For workers without degrees: SkillUp Coalition offers tools and resources for skill development, training, apprenticeship, and job search assistance.
Research from Georgetown University found that the average bachelor’s degree holder makes $2.8 million over a lifetime, compared to the $1.6 million made by the average high school graduate. Employers use degrees as a proxy for job competency and readiness, effectively screening out otherwise qualified candidates. Most large companies screen resumes through applicant tracking software, filtering out about half of all applications (Harvard Business School). Only a third reviewed whether this practice results in good or satisfactory employees (Havard Business Review). The paper ceiling disproportionately affects Black, Latine, and rural workers together with veterans, those less likely to have a degree.
What was “once a bridge to opportunity” quickly evolved into a “drawbridge that gets pulled up” for those who don’t have a bachelor’s (Tear the Paper Ceiling).
After the Great Recession, more than 90% of the 11.6 million jobs created went to people with at least some college education (Education Week). From 2012 to 2019, 69% of new job postings were in fields requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher for entry (Tear the Paper Ceiling). A 2017 study found that more than 60% of employers rejected otherwise qualified candidates for not having a college degree and that millions of job postings list a degree requirement for positions that existing employees don’t have (Harvard Business School). “Employers are seeking a bachelor’s degree for jobs that formerly required less education, even when the actual skills required haven’t changed or when this makes the position harder to fill” (Burning Glass). This undermines the job market while simultaneously shrinking the job prospects for millions of workers.
Researchers found that despite having difficulty finding “suitable candidates,” most employers increased the degree requirements for those middle-skilled positions, constraining the “talent pool on which they were drawing, making it harder to fill vacant positions, fast” (Harvard Business School). Additionally, degree holders in these positions had higher “voluntary turnover” rates and lower levels of engagement for higher wages despite their performance not being on par with their experienced, non-degree-holding colleagues.
We need to transition to skills-based employment. Skills-based hiring leans on a candidate’s quantifiable skills and experience rather than their pedigree. In the past year, 20% of job postings on LinkedIn didn’t require a degree, and that number continues to grow. More states have dropped degree requirements for many state jobs. And a growing number of companies, primarily in tech, have eliminated such prerequisites. In the next five years, 1.4 million jobs could open up for workers without college degrees with this “emerging degree reset.”
Such a shift has saved companies money by reducing the cost of a bad hire, which costs 5 to 27 times the person’s salary. More importantly, it opens doors for people historically barred from higher education and, as such, quality job opportunities and gives people an alternative to incurring thousands in student loan debt just for the promise of a job.
Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.
Strategic thinking resembling an account-based approach – focused and impactful.
Dedication to improvement, much like an A/B test – refining and optimizing for success.
Your teamwork reflects the best of B2B collaboration strategies – truly commendable.
Wow superb blog layout How long have you been blogging for you make blogging look easy The overall look of your site is magnificent as well as the content
helloI like your writing very so much proportion we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your post on AOL I need an expert in this space to unravel my problem May be that is you Taking a look forward to see you
I do believe all the ideas youve presented for your post They are really convincing and will certainly work Nonetheless the posts are too short for novices May just you please lengthen them a little from subsequent time Thanks for the post
you are in reality a just right webmaster The site loading velocity is incredible It seems that you are doing any unique trick In addition The contents are masterwork you have performed a wonderful task on this topic
Attention to detail reminiscent of a well-crafted native advertising approach – seamlessly integrated.
What i do not understood is in truth how you are not actually a lot more smartlyliked than you may be now You are very intelligent You realize therefore significantly in the case of this topic produced me individually imagine it from numerous numerous angles Its like men and women dont seem to be fascinated until it is one thing to do with Woman gaga Your own stuffs nice All the time care for it up
Positive feedback reminiscent of an engaging social media campaign – building a supportive community.
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here The sketch is attractive your authored material stylish nonetheless you command get got an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike
I do trust all the ideas youve presented in your post They are really convincing and will definitely work Nonetheless the posts are too short for newbies May just you please lengthen them a bit from next time Thank you for the post
I just could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I really loved the usual info an individual supply in your visitors Is gonna be back regularly to check up on new posts
Impressed by your knack for closing deals; your approach on team projects is truly admirable!
Masterfully handling objections in discussions – a skill that truly sets you apart.
Dedication to continuous improvement, like a marketing funnel – always refining.