Do Employers Care About BA or BS?

The short answer is no. Employers and graduate school admissions officers rarely care which type of Bachelor’s degree you were awarded. They care far more about which major you pursued, where you went to school, the fact that you have a bachelor’s degree at all, and how you performed in your classes. Let’s take a deeper look into this question to understand better.

FAQs About BA and BS Degrees

Q. What is the difference between a BA and a BS degree?

A. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree typically focuses on humanities and social sciences, while a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree typically focuses on natural sciences and mathematics. However, the distinctions are often blurred between universities, and you can have an interdisciplinary approach to either degree.

Q. Does it matter if you have a BA or a BS degree?

A. No, at least not to employers. Earning either degree demonstrates that you have accomplished a significant academic milestone and have acquired a set of skills and knowledge in your specific field of study. What really matters is the skills that you gained through your degree program, such as research, writing, critical thinking, time management, and teamwork.

Q. Do employers value the major more than the type of degree?

A. Yes. What employers care most about is the major you pursued. They need to know that you possess the skills and knowledge necessary for the specific job or industry, and in most cases, that is determined by your major. For example, a company looking to hire an accountant will value someone with an accounting degree over someone with a degree in a completely unrelated field, such as art history.

Factors That Matter More to Employers

Employers base their hiring decisions on a variety of factors that are more important than whether you earned a BA or BS degree. Here are some of the factors that matter more to them:

Your Major

As mentioned earlier, the major you pursued is usually the most important factor for employers. Your degree must be relevant to the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job as a software developer, you should have a degree in computer science or a related field.

Your School

The reputation of the school you attended can also have an impact on your job prospects. Employers are more likely to hire graduates from top-tier schools, as those schools often have a strong academic reputation and a large alumni network. However, this does not mean that graduates from less prestigious schools cannot find good jobs. Depending on your major, experience, and personal network, you may be just as qualified as a graduate from a top school.

Your GPA

Your grade point average (GPA) in college is a measure of your academic performance. Employers may consider your GPA when evaluating job candidates, especially if you are a recent graduate. A high GPA can demonstrate that you have a strong work ethic and are able to perform well under pressure. However, a low GPA does not automatically disqualify you from job opportunities. Many employers recognize that your GPA is just one factor and may place more emphasis on your other experiences and skills.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether you have a BA or a BS degree is not that important to employers. What matters most is the major you pursued and the skills you acquired in your degree program. Other factors, such as the reputation of your school and your GPA, can also play a role in employers’ decision-making. However, the most important thing for you is to choose a major that aligns with your interests and career goals and then to gain valuable experience through internships or other opportunities in your field.

Overall, it is crucial to remember that earning a BA or BS degree is just the beginning of your career journey. It is what you do with your degree that matters most. Focus on gaining relevant skills and experience, building your personal brand, and networking with professionals in your industry. These are the things that will make you stand out to employers and help you achieve your career goals.

Sources:

• https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/ba-vs-bs-degree
• https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/ba-vs-bs/
• https://www.fool.com/careers/2017/03/06/do-employers-care-what-your-college-major-was.aspx