College graduates less likely to be unemployed

If you are still weighing the pros and cons of getting a college degree, consider this: College graduates are less likely to be unemployed. In fact, according to The Atlantic, the unemployment rate for people with bachelor’s degrees is less than half of the rate for those with only high school diplomas.

Not only do college graduates have a lower unemployment rate than the national average, but a college degree has become “the new high school diploma”  – the minimum requirement for getting even a low-level job, such as a receptionist or file clerk.

“College graduates are just more career-oriented,” Adam Slipakoff, a managing partner at a law firm, told The New York Times. “Going to college means they are making a real commitment to their futures. They’re not just looking for a paycheck.”

Despite the clear correlation between college degrees and employability, according to The Atlantic, only two out of five workers today have one. This means that although the number of college graduates is on the rise, they are still in high demand.

Having a college degree is also an increasingly critical way that applicants can distinguish themselves in a tough job market.

“When I started recruiting in ’06, you didn’t need a college degree,” Suzanne Manzagol, an Atlanta-area recruiter, told The New York Times. “But there weren’t that many candidates.”

Today, college graduates are not only more likely to get hired, but are also more likely to earn a higher wage and have the experience and skills that appeal to employers. Although this doesn’t guarantee that college graduates will find a job right after graduation, statistics show that joblessness decreases considerably for people with college degrees just a few months later.