Why Today’s Students Need To Look For More Than A Degree During Their College Search
A degree still carries weight, but in today’s job market, employers are increasingly looking for applied skills from internships and leadership that show students can solve real problems.
Author:Paolo ReynaReviewer:James PierceMar 31, 2026123 Shares15.4K Views
A degree still carries weight, but in today’s job market, employers are increasingly looking for applied skills from internships and leadershipthat show students can solve real problems. Students who build hands-on learning and real-world experience alongside their education graduate with stronger outcomes. Besides the credentials, the college search should focus on long-term fit and preparation, not just on location, tuition, and degrees.
“Today’s job market rewards proof,” observes Emily Niedermaier, managing director of marketing at Appily. “Employers want to see what you can do, how you learn, and how you handle change. The students who stand out leave school with more than just classes on their transcripts; they have projects, skills, and real stories that show results.”
Today’s Job Market Makes College Search About More Than Just Majors And Degree-only Qualifications
Modern jobs routinely mix skills from more than one field. On top of this, new technologyis drastically changing daily tasks.
“Interviewers look for real-life examples of your work and proof of impact,” says Niedermaier. “They want to see if you can learn a new tool and apply it to a real problem. A degree starts the story, but your work fills it in.”
Appily’s College Planning Prepares Students For Evolving Careers
Today’s employers notice clear outcomes. Experience gives students the chance to launch a website or plan an event, and the results can make a resume feel real.
Niedermaier says experience is a strong signifier of an employer’s trust in new hires. “It’s never too early to start building a portfolio of skills and real work,” she notes. “An internship shows you can work on a team and meet real deadlines, and a service project shows you see beyond yourself and can organize people. Certifications are another way to boost your credibility and help you get to the interview. Practical learning, like labs and studio courses, also adds proof to your story. Together with your degree, they show you can learn it and do it.”
Appily is a free online resource designed to help not only college-bound students find the right college fit and build a path toward their future careers. Appily's Appily Match and College Greenlight give students and their academic counselors tools to find opportunities and develop professional career paths before and during the college search. For counselors specifically, Appily's postsecondary planning resources provide dedicated support to guide students through the process, rather than waiting until after enrollment.
“We help students explore colleges more holistically,” explains Niedermaier. “In addition to majors and admissions data, students can review campus characteristics, student outcomes, and institutional information that help them ask smarter questions about experiential learning, career services, and internship opportunities. We don’t place students into internships directly, but we help them evaluate which colleges are structured to support those kinds of experiences.”
Postsecondary School Planning
Appily’s postsecondary planningis a comprehensive source of guides, articles, and other resources for counselors, designed to help them help their students figure out what they want from college beyond classes. A simple dashboard collects all the information in one place to help counselors and educators track key steps and dates.
“Our postsecondary planning tools guide students through their interests to find potential academic pathways and identify future career goals,” Niedermaier notes. “By prompting students to think about what they enjoy, what they’re good at, and what kind of life they envision after graduation, the planning process naturally connects academics to career possibilities. That shift helps students evaluate colleges with outcomes in mind.”
Appily Match
Appily Matchhelps students gain direct admission to schools without the burden of traditional applications and essays. Students simply create a profile to receive admissions offers and even scholarships. As offers come in, they can look for campuses known for co-ops or strong employer ties.
“When students know they already have options, it reduces anxiety and allows them to compare programs more thoughtfully,” says Niedermaier. “That creates space to evaluate academic strengths, support services, campus culture, and career preparation opportunities, not just admissions odds.”
College Greenlight
College Greenlightsupports academic counselors and educators of first-generation and underrepresented students with curated college information and resources. It highlights institutions committed to access and student support, enabling counselors and community organizations to help students find colleges where they are more likely to receive strong advising, mentoring, and career guidance.
Niedermaier believes this tool can play a critical role in helping students translate a degree into real-world opportunities. “With this support, students can bring a stronger record of applied work into their applications. They can also find campuses that continue this support after they enroll.”
College Planning: Find The Right Path For Every Career
Appily does not replace a student’s effort. It gives structure, information, and connections so students can find colleges that help them learn by doing and start building experience now.
“Students who intentionally seek out internships, research, mentorship, and leadership opportunities during their time on campus graduate more confident and more competitive,” concludes Niedermaier. “Thinking about experience early simply leads to stronger long-term outcomes.”
Paolo Reyna
Author
Paolo Reyna is a writer and storyteller with a wide range of interests. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies.
Paolo enjoys writing about celebrity culture, gaming, visual arts, and events. He has a keen eye for trends in popular culture and an enthusiasm for exploring new ideas. Paolo's writing aims to inform and entertain while providing fresh perspectives on the topics that interest him most.
In his free time, he loves to travel, watch films, read books, and socialize with friends.
James Pierce
Reviewer
James Pierce, a Finance and Crypto expert, brings over 15 years of experience to his writing. With a Master's degree in Finance from Harvard University, James's insightful articles and research papers have earned him recognition in the industry.
His expertise spans financial markets and digital currencies, making him a trusted source for analysis and commentary. James seamlessly integrates his passion for travel into his work, providing readers with a unique perspective on global finance and the digital economy.
Outside of writing, James enjoys photography, hiking, and exploring local cuisines during his travels.
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