A recent Gallup poll found that four out of 10 working college graduates say their work doesn’t require a degree.

Gallup Organization, which provides news about the United States, world polls and public opinion research, reported that less than half of college graduates employed full or part time in the U.S. say the type of work they do does not require a bachelor’s degree. 

Jerome Lavelle, associate dean of Academic Affairs in the College of Engineering, said the data illustrates today’s workplace.

“The data perhaps reflect the dynamics of today’s workplace characterized by elevated unemployment across the board, depressed labor force participation, elevated underemployment and long-term employment, depressed wage growth and dis-proportionate growth in low-wage sectors.” Lavelle said. 

However, the poll also found the need for a college degree has risen during the past decade. Although 57 percent of workers, including college graduates and non-graduates, report that their current job does not require a degree, 43 percent of workers report that it does. This number has increased from 38 percent in 2002. 

Lavelle said this confirms his own life experiences. 

“I absolutely affirm the value and impact that higher education can have in the lives of individuals and in society at large,” Lavelle said. 

Lavelle also said that the poll would have likely found different results from N.C. State students. Jobs in fields such as engineering, business and education require a Bachelor’s degree. The credential is a necessity for employment.

“Whereas the data from the Gallup poll is broad-based across many job sectors, I suspect one would find a very different picture for graduates working with most NC State degrees”, said Lavelle. 

Lavelle said that having an N.C. State diploma is a great start for competing for STEM positions. 

“In addition…internships, co-operative education, international experiences, undergraduate research, and student leadership or service activities all provide the bases to find and excel at these types of jobs,” said Lavelle. 

Kara Prost, a senior in finance and international studies, was motivated to attend a four-year university to get a job after graduation. 

“My parents pushed me to go to college and were really supportive with paying for tuition,” Prost said.

According to Prost, it isn’t possible to get a career in finance without a college degree. 

Gallup also found that two-thirds of workers with professional, executive or administrative jobs say that a college degree is needed in their line of work. The need for a college degree remains at 50 percent for those in all other white-collar jobs. 

“A college degree has traditionally been viewed as the gateway to opportunity, self-determination, individual prosperity and economic independence,” Lavelle said. “Despite today’s potential game-changing influences, I sincerely believe that there is no better investment for the individual, state and/or nation than education.”