Does an employer really care what college you went to?


Question:
I'm in the military and pursuing my bachelors degree in Business management. After taking some local college classes, I realized they were not transferable to a 4 year university, like I had hoped. My question: Assuming it's an accredited university, Does an employer really care what college you went to, or do they care that you just have a degree; I'm planning on go to University of Phoenix online, meaning do other colleges hold favor over my choice?

Answer:
No, no one really gives a crap what college you went to as long as it's accredited. In the end, you have an accredited 4-year college degree just like anyone else. It's basically something you just circle on your job application. "Circle highest level of education completed." Yes, you will probably need to verify your schooling in most circumstances, but that won't be a problem.

Remember, military & life experience weigh just as heavily, if not more so, than a college degree. In places that require a college degree, it's just that -- a requirement -- and you meet that requirement just like the dude who graduated from Harvard with the same degree. Except you've been in the military and have life experience and marketable qualities whereas the Harvard grad has zip experience and only an academic achievement to boast. Which candidate would you choose? Depends on the employer.

A few employers do weigh in the "quality" of the school you attended, in either an intended or unconscious way, but like I said, most could care less and just want to see that you have a piece of paper that says you graduated college. They rather have someone who can get results then someone who can explain "theories and methodologies of being result-oriented in a multicultural and fast-paced society."

HOWEVER, I do have an unfavorable opinion of online degrees (as do many employers) and I do believe you are making the wrong choice in choosing to further your higher education with an online program. You learn so much more in a traditional classroom setting -- and real human interaction is irreplaceable. Virtual interaction is close to meaningless. Especially in the field you're going into. Don't get me wrong, the Internet is a great business tool (I own an online business), but in the end you gotta interact with real people that don't seem so real when they're "virtual" as opposed to face-to-face.

If your local college is an accredited community, technical, or junior college, why not see if they have any articulation agreements with other colleges, or look for a college that WILL accept the credits? I'm sure lots will if it's accredited.

Good luck on your college desires and career choice, whatever you choose to do.
No, I work for a well known corporation and I didn't go to one of the best schools in the country. For some places it might matter, but most of the time they care about your qualifications and experience as opposed to what school you went to.
in my experience, it didn't even matter what i had a degree in. I have a MA in Sociology and I work in Marketing for Healthcare Carrier. All in all bachelors means you can think critically and accomplish goals and a Masters means you can work idenpendently and think analytically. The University of Phoenix is a good school for buisness, good luck!
yes dear...you will make just as much money after Harvard as you will after community college *sarcasm*
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