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Preciousgem7
What would be the difference, from an employers perspective, between a 2 or 4 year degree?
Asked by Preciousgem7


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Best Answer:
Simple answer: "$"

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4 yrs means a better employee.
Answered by no4play

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the more schooling you have under your belt, the more likely you are to be hired. 2 years is very rarely enough schooling nowdays. usually more than 4 is needed depending on your degree. there are very few fields that you can get a degree in 2 years
Answered by genome24

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If I was an employer and some one told me they got their degree in 2 years and some one else took 4 years for the same degree, I know who I would reward!
Answered by budding author

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A bachelor's degree would look better to an employer than an associate's degree....unless it is the kind of job where a 4 year degree would make you look overqualified, then the employer might wonder why you'd want it.
Answered by LeeCee

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Generally speaking, a higher degree means you have received advanced education and training in your field. However, many people choose careers that are different from their field of study. It depends on the job, what type of specialization it requires, and whether the degree actually prepares you for the work you will be doing. As far as being chosen for the job, and employer may feel that even if a degree is not specific to the job, it shows commitment. They may feel that this is a good measure of reliability, as it demonstrates that you have stayed with a long-term goal through completion. Lastly, you may be able to negotiate a higher salary with a four year degree. Good luck!
Answered by tofutuesday

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IDK
Answered by degrassmore

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the starting level in the company.
Answered by Robin Banks

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From the employers standpoint. You spent two extra years preparing yourself to work for me, at added expense, so you deserve higher starting pay. You made the effort and did what you had to do to get the full degree. You will make that same effort for my customers and me, the employer. The person with a two year AA/AS degree only did, just enough, to say they have a Degree. Will they only do just enough for me, their employer. I don't need to hear that the person with an AA/AS say they couldn't continue their education. For any reason. If you want it bad enough, you find a way to do it.
Answered by oddball

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4 years means better educated.
Answered by o0o_scandalous

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2 years
Answered by the one

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In my days of hiring people, a 4 year degree meant one thing to me and one thing only... the person was able to finish what he/she started. I've hired both and have had very successful employees from both walks of life-- but the bottom line is, when your first point of contact to a potential employer is a resume-- the 4 year degree always looks better and gives that person the edge on getting an interview over the 2 associates degree.
Answered by MissTx

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I think that if a potential employee only has an associates degree, they should have experience in that job field in which they applied. A bachelor's degree will mean more formal training, but not necessarily experience on the job.
Answered by prettycute4u62040

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A four year degree would indicate that the person had a more extensive education and that they were willing to "stick it out" and do what it took to complete the degree. Although in some cases an employer might be looking for a person with a two year degree, especially in some of the "Technician" fields. The person with the two year degree concentrated on the specifics needed for the job and was anxious to start working.
Answered by R_burke

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As an employer I wouldn't really care. I look at what the individual brings to the table. However, sadly in more competitive fields and large companies human resource departments are basically involved in sifting through hundreds of job applications. They will look for anything they can to reject people just to narrow down the field. Therefore mistakes in a resume or cover letter, anything negative they can find will mean your application gets tossed. Many large companies will simply look only for at least a four year degree just to narrow the field. You may be a far better candidate, and never even get an interview. But it really depends on your field and the kind of job you want. But if it is a general degree (like business studies or similar) and fairly competitive field, you would be well to get that four year degree.
Answered by ZCT

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2yrs lol
Answered by yaziquex

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The 4 year degree shows you went all the way and have a Bachelor's degree.
Answered by 3

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depends on the employer
Answered by tarantula6

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From an employer's view,I think he/she would look more at the person's work experience,more than just a degree.
Answered by loves watching deer

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Don't listen to these wannabees with their 2 years degrees -- Employers know these are given out like candy and required half the effort and brain of a 4 year degree.
Answered by internet_decency_enforcement

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From an employer's perspective, a person with a 4-year degree shows the foresight and fortitude to set a goal and keep at it until they've achieved it. They have the discipline to complete tasks they are given. Also, they seem to be quicker to grasp concepts and ideas, and it's easier to get their buy-in on projects because they understand goals and look forward to achieving them.
Answered by hop0409

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It depends on the occupation. A 4 year degree may mean you are "over qualified" for some occupations. A 2 year degree and a solid work experience within an industry may be just as important to one employer. Believe me...book knowledge does not have anything on real life experience.
Answered by amandasmama

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The employer's perspective depends on what post the degree holder is supposed to occupy. Many companies, especially the private ones, do not like to recruit over-qualified candidates. If the job concerned requires a 2 year degree, they wpuld prefer a 2 year degree candidate. If it requires a 4 year degree, they would take a 4 year candidate. Their apprehension is that an overqualified employee may develop frustration, and may leave the job at the earliest opportunity. Recruiting and training a new employee costs a lot!
Answered by ukrajai

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A 4 year degree is much more credible...there is little comparison between a 4 year degree from a large, well known college and a 2 year degree from some Jr. college. It's like the difference betwee kindergarten and high school..from both an educational and life experience standpont. If you want to be taken seriously, get the 4 yr from a real school.
Answered by Rick K

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You know, I think that employers - as well as others in general - tend to see a two year degree as only half an education. I guess the assumption is that the person with the four year degree somehow worked harder for his or her degree based alone on the fact that he or she merely put more time and effort into their education. Though this may or may not be the case, the person with the two year degree is often seen as someone who just wasn't willing to invest that extra couple of years in him / herself. In short, go for the four year degree. You'll probably get farther. Thanks.
Answered by wrepete1951

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Having a degree doesn't always mean the person is smarter or better equipped to be a good worker. Just think of the days when most people didn't have degrees but their word and hard work stood for something. I have one bachelor's, and two medical certificates and that doesn't always mean squat unless I put myself out there and 'sell' myself right, to the right kind of people/jobs! But our world today has gotten fixated on this idea that degrees mean something. Sometimes they do, ie...medical, accounting, science, architecture or if you actually go into the field you studied it does mean something. But if you per se, are an English major and end up working for a insurance company, again, didn't mean squat. So....depends upon what you want to do. Unfortunately people are basing their opinions more and more on the 'sell' or gimmickry of people than what the person has done in their life outside of an educational institution or the quality of their character. There are some amazing people who haven't been to school and yet, are successful and extremely talented. Both my brothers are very successful (one in computerland and the other was in STOMP and a professional musician) and neither one of them has a bachelor's or beyond. It's not that I'm against an education per se, but with the right determination, a person can succeed and go far with or without getting a degree; it just depends upon their heart, soul and sense of ethics. If you want to think of it logically, here are some reasons that employers would look better upon a four year versus a two year degree: 1-it would appear that the person has dedicated more time and energy, to one particular subject or goal. 2-higher level of commitment in 4 versus 2 year. 3-higher level of commitment and dedication in one thing like a degree might = to some, higher level of dedication in any given line of work they end up in which = good worker. 4-having earned a 4 year degree will give some the assumption that the person is smarter, more educated or intelligent therefore= more intelligent, smarter worker. But I've had college teachers who were utter nincompoops! did I spell that right?? anywhoo...hopefully I've made the point that even though it looks good on paper, and yes one does have to committ to earning a degree and drudge through the paperwork et al... it doesn't mean they are better workers or people or even smarter. there are many who are more without having ever finished their degrees. Just look at the dozens of actors, musicians and artists who haven't! peace!~!
Answered by Commenta Storm

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your level of commitment, accomplishment, and skills, plus your judgment and IQ (given that 4-year degrees are generally more demanding than 2-year ones)
Answered by vhines200

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The difference with the employers perspective to a 2 or 4 year degree graduate is that the employers wants to make money in short the employers let the money work for them and the employee of a 2 or 4 year degree is goint to work for money and obeing there boss.
Answered by Jake

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Depends on the industry. $ year is great, but experience is much better. Why hire someone with a four year degree when you can have someone with 10 years exp.
Answered by Christie from the O.C.

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Any employer will visualise a 4 year degree candidate as being more a) Matured b) Responsible and c) Reliable for communicating with the management. Hence a 4 year degree candidate will have a definite advantage over a two year degree candidate.
Answered by jaganr1

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a four years degree means honors degree. Every employer try to seeks the knowledge the person having. ther person having two years degree means that less knowledge, less projects, less internship experience...
Answered by Zeeshan Z

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Depending on which position it is about, the difference will be most important if I have two similar candidates. If the +'s and -'s end up the same, the 4 yr degree will get the job most of the time. If you have the 2 yr degree plus (a lot) of experience you might get the job anyway, because that is better than 4 yr degree without (any) experience. Attitude cannot always be "read" from a piece of paper...
Answered by Patrick L

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Employers look at several things when comparing schooling between perspective employees. They look at the knowledge gained between a 2 and 4 year degree. They also look at the dedication it takes to earn both. Some employers believe that a person who advances themselves to a 4 year degree are more dedicated than one who doesn't. This isn't always the case however. It really depends on the position you are applying for. Some positions don't require the 4 year degree. Employers look at more than just the schooling an applicant has.
Answered by katie13

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My hiring was purely in the IT field. I did so when I ran my own shop, as a proj mgr and as a senior member of teams. To me a degree was not relivent. Experience was a good start but I didn't believe it until I actually talked to them. I looked for intelligent use of jargon on the resume as a sign of real expereince. Anybody can throw in keywords they know employers will be seeking. I did not even look at the education field as it was at best a hinderance to people in my field. I was often given people I did not want by HR depts during my career based on degrees. These people were worse than me just grabbing somebody randomly off the street. At least the person I grabbed off the street would listen to me and not think they knew it all. The problem is in IT, you cannot compently teach somebody how to program in a language, mananage a technology, use a particuler DBMS package in the short time that a College course has to cover that subject matter. Many proffessors if they have any real world exp it was long ago and the bulk have never written a proffesional line of code in their lives. Can't count how many courses I've taken in IT where the Prof was reading the same text book we used one chapter ahead of our lessons. What happens is that the Prof will teach what is easy to grade. He will adopt fads and enforce concepts that sound purty but are in reality unpractical. Hungarian notation for example. The idea sounds great until you actually use it. So for a time it was a fad thing to do that pretty much everybody dropped after actually trying it. However it is still taught in colleges like people really use it in the real world. Bad habits are learned. You have to unteach those bad habits and sometimes the fresh college grad will stubbornly insist on using those bad habits until they learn the hard way. This means you waste the time telling them the better way to do things, then waste time asking them why they did it the hard way, then time etither rewriting it yourself or assigning that section to somebody else because schedules are always tight and you don't have time to waste waiting for them to realize that what they did just plain will not work. You also carry dead wieght as the new employee is totally useless until they learn these concepts and accept the guidance of the experienced employees. They may be earnest workers with good intentions. Unless they have independently worked in that field at home or as a volenteer for organizations they at best are useless for 6-24 months. I suspect the same is true in many fields. It is HR and the management types that never worked in that field that are impressed by degrees not the guys in the trenches.
Answered by draciron

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Well, my mother has her Masters and it hasn't earned her any respect. I believe that it's experience and professionalism that will get you far in your career.
Answered by christancat2000

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2 more years of education and learning, giving you more knowledge in your future choice of employment
Answered by angelinaashton1st

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Frankly, it doesn't matter even if the prospective employee has degrees from every Ivy League institution under his/ her belt.. what counts is what they can bring to the table. There're many bright, intellectuals out there but if they lack the experience (street smarts) to go with it - credentials just look good on paper nothing else. I'm not saying that education is baseless.. just have faith in your capabilities & if you've what it takes go for it!
Answered by ViRg()

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4 year degree mean more salary,more experience,more information and better situation but not necessary better employer or better person.
Answered by kimoo

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2 years LOL
Answered by bwadsp

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the more education the better equipped the person will be.a bachelors is always better than an associate degree and more money
Answered by wncan47

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It definitely DOES NOT mean a "better" employee. It may mean a more educated employee. However, the effects of the degree would actually depend on the job you are applying for. You would want a 4 yr RN over a 2 yr LPN, but who cares if you are just working at Burger King or a secretary??
Answered by GOUTVOLS

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As an employer I would,hopefully, have the sense to look at more than the degree the person is holding. Yes, a bachelor's degree means more formal education. But, you have to look at work experience, previous job performance, and future plans. If this person has a two year degree I would ask them why they stopped at that point. It could be they plan on continuing their education but got the two year degree so they could work while finishing school. An employer also should know that the number of years of schooling do not always mean the person will be a better employee. You are obviously looking at a field where more than one type of degree is offered. So, look at the person, their past experience, job performance, education, and future plans.
Answered by mandy c

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Two years degree means you suffer less while learning. But you may suffer more when you go to work - less pay, more overtime, etc. Four years degree means you suffer more while learning. But you may not suffer much when you go to work - better pay, more respect, etc. The prospective employer may depend on the above in the selection process. But for promotion purposes the bottom line is whether the employee can perform. So, you should not worry 2 or 4. Resolve to perform once given the chance. Good luck. :)
Answered by ww.robert126

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The difference is in what you studied not in how long. For example if Person A studied Art History for 4 years, and Person B studied Office Administration for 2 years, who would most likely get a job as an executive assistant? Person B. Degrees don't mean much in Western countries, but in Asia they really want to see an MBA for business which as some of my friends who have this degree would say, "I am doing sales." This is a waste of a degree. Most people look down on a 2 year degree because they don't understand what it means. It means that you have concentrated on usually one subject specifically. I would rather hire a salesperson with a two year degree in office management than one with a 4 year degree in business. The difference from the employers perspective is whether or not you have acquired the correct knowledge not how long it took. There is also such a thing is being over qualified for a job. So, be careful when you make a decision. Remember that Bill Gates never graduated from Harvard. He dropped out. lol
Answered by Prometheus

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There really should be NO difference. Nowadays, as long as you have a degree you are ok.
Answered by joet2017

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In competitive fields, employers will eliminate applicants based on GPA and other criteria. A four year degree will not automatically establish your credibility. When applying for my last position, GPAs less than 3.5 were not considered. This is one step in weeding out applicants.
Answered by dmdb1

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A two-year degree, or Associates, requires about half of the classwork that a Bachelor's Degree requires. Typical AS programs will include a few basic core requirements, like english and math, and maybe a history class, and the remainder will focus on a field of expertise (say, accounting). With a Bachelor's, the core requirements are more extensive. Students are required to take several humanities courses, art, math, english, culture, science... basically ensuring a more well-rounded education. And of course, a BS degree will include more coursework in the student's major, which means a deeper knowledge of the subject. From an employer's perspective, it depends on the job. More education does NOT necessarily equate to a better employee, and sometimes the opposite is the case. For instance, if you're applying to become a bookkeeper at the local tax office, you're better off having only an Associates Degree. The tax office doesn't want someone who's over-educated and who won't find the job fulfilling, and someone with a BS would be more likely to move on after a short period. So they would prefer the person with the AS degree due to a greater likelihood of longevity. There are also jobs where an AS with 2 years experience woukld trump a BS with no experience. Particularly a trade job, like hotel management, bookkeeping, low-level computer tech work, etc. I used to work in the HR office at our town hall, and my experience is that a lot of applicants with 2-year degrees tend to have more experience behind them, while people who go for 4-year degrees tend to put their career lives on hold to get the education. For people who go the 4-year route, it is best to make sure you get a lot of work experience as well, because people with unbalanced resumes (too much education, not enough experience) may be a poor fit for any job. The 2-year degree is less intimidating for someone hiring for a beginner position, and beginner positions are what you need in the beginning. So my best advice to people is to either get a 2-year degree, then work for a while and eventually go back to finish off a 4-year degree if you have the time or the need... or get a 4-year degree but make sure to gain relative work experience in the meantime. And always make sure you're getting a degree in a field that people are actually hiring for, and that you know you could succeed in based on your strengths and weaknesses. (like accounting- i like to use that example because there are an incredible abundance of positions in this field, but if numbers bore or frustrate you, it won't be worth the paycheck at the end of each week. But don't get a 2-year degree in British History if you know there isn't a large demand for British Historians with 2-year degrees) Also note that a lot of the perception of a degree depends on the school. If you're going to put the time and money into a 4-year school, you should go to a university... community colleges are more suited for 2-year professional degrees.
Answered by Firstd1mension

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Some who has a four year degree has delved deeper into the subject than a person who has a two year degree, The student probably knows more. I would chose 4 over 2. Better yet go for a Masters or PHD.
Answered by Ray M

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The employer would probably think the person with the 4 year degree is more educated and skilled, and thus, better suited for the job BUT that's not always the case. Sometimes the person WITHOUT the degree can do the job better, but that person most of the time will be ignored for obvious reasons. and besides, 80% of college grads aren't even in the field that is associated with their degree. Take that fact into consideration when answering this question.
Answered by TheFutureAlreadyHappened

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You have more experince with a four year degree.
Answered by Tammy A


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