Honors are always a good thing to add to your CV, especially if you graduated with honors. Not only does the word mean that you have the best grades compared to the other students in your group, but it also shows employers or your college that you are likely to be diligent and do your work well.
5 Benefits of Graduating From College With Honors
Graduating with honors is a great achievement that can have a number of positive impacts on your life.
The meaning of an “honors” degree varies from school to school and person to person. However, by graduating with honors, you demonstrate commitment and a desire to excel. You demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed after graduation.
Many employers see this as a sign of hard work and dedication to your studies, which can potentially mean better job prospects. It also has implications for the rest of your life.
1. An Improved Resume
Graduating with high honors is an accomplishment that enhances your resume in many ways. First, it proves that you are capable of more challenging coursework. This shows employers that you are capable of accepting jobs or positions that require a high level of education.
2. Better Scholastic Opportunities
Honors students who plan to further their education are often looked upon favorably when deciding whether to enter graduate school, which can lead to a brighter future in their career field.
An honors degree gives a higher chance to get accepted to better graduate schools like Harvard University, Yale University, and other top universities. These universities consider much more than just your high school and college grades when making admissions decisions.
They look at your previous academic achievement and the graduation honor you received in high school and college.
3. Better Chances When Applying for Jobs
Students who graduate with high honors are more likely to get a good job after graduation and earn more money over their lifetime than their peers who graduate without honors.
That’s because employers (and graduate schools) prefer well-educated applicants who show they can succeed in a competitive environment. Honors can also set you apart from other applicants applying for the same job or degree program.
You can show employers not only that you are capable of handling an academically challenging program, but also that you are a good candidate for advanced study.
However, if an employer wants to fill a position with someone who has very specific, rare skills, such as experience with a particular data analysis program or proficiency in a particular programming language, then that employer may not care whether or not someone has an honors degree, especially if no one else with those skills is applying for the position.
Then your honors degree does not make much difference, but it still looks good on your CV!
4. A Wider Variety of Career Opportunities
If you graduated with honors, you can count yourself among the best and brightest of your generation.
Honors represent a willingness to take on challenges, excellence in even the most difficult fields, and the ability to achieve goals that others thought were impossible.
An academic distinction can open you up to a wider variety of career opportunities. If you graduated with honors, then you have proven that you can excel in virtually any field. The only limitation you have left is your imagination and ambition.
5. Strengthening Your Self-Confidence
Rewarding yourself for your hard work can boost your self-esteem. If an employer wants to hire someone who graduated with honors, that’s something to be proud of. You should be proud of your academic achievement, and recognizing it is a great way to boost your self-esteem and confidence.
Some Employers Place More Value on an Excellent College Degree Than Others
If you do not have an honors degree, that will not stop you from being successful. I myself do not even have a degree and am completely self-made.
However, I have had to overcome many challenges along the way, and in certain areas, I still have a harder time than those who have had a successful educational path. Also, times have changed and the world has become more competitive.
In my community organization, we work mostly with student volunteers, and we received a hundred applications in a short period of time, so we are more selective even about unpaid volunteer assignments, and when we have to be selective, both class rank and work experience play a role in the selection process.
A college or university student who has worked while in school can sometimes have an advantage over an honors college student but no work experience. Your ability to handle pressure and responsibility will show up in interviews, as will your work ethic and intelligence – all things employers look for when hiring.
It also matters how you describe how you managed to earn your class rank and honorary degree. Graduate students should never assume that their honorary degree alone is enough to get a job. Some employers look at the degree, others look at which graduate school you went to, class rank, or university honors, while others may not even care if you have high school distinction at all, as they focus on work experience.
Generally speaking, many people feel that the honor cord does not matter for many jobs, especially entry-level positions. It matters more if you want to enter med school or work in certain fields like law, or science.
Highest Academic Distinction
The summa cum laude is the highest honor that can be awarded by universities and colleges. It is awarded to a graduate who has achieved the highest grade point average in his or her college class. Summa cum laude is a Latin term meaning “with the highest praise.”
The Latin word “cum” means “with,” “summa” means “highest point,” and the word “laude” means “praise.”
To earn this academic distinction, you must achieve a grade point average of 4.0 (cumulative grade point average – GPA) on a 4.0 scale, while Magna Cum Laude – Latin honor level just below “with high honor” requires 3.8 to 3.9. The average grade point average for Cum laude is 3.5 to 3.7.
You can usually find information about the honors program on your college or university registrar’s website, and what the cumulative grade point average and graduation requirements are.
Admission to the National Honor Society
To be accepted into this prestigious organization, one must meet certain academic standards and demonstrate exemplary character.
This academic standard can vary by school, but generally, a student must have at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average (Cum Laude level) on a 4.0 scale to be considered for membership. An honors student typically must be involved in various extracurricular activities and take a leadership position in those activities.
Honors students must also demonstrate commitment by devoting time to community service and other volunteer activities outside of regular school hours.
Students who are accepted into this membership-based organization receive many benefits, including awards for their outstanding achievements as well as scholarships to further their education. Membership in the National Honor Society is something to be proud of throughout your life.
National honor society induction is usually during the graduation commencement ceremony.
What Happens if You Do Not Receive an Honorary Degree
A university or college degree is not just a piece of paper. It can be a passport to a successful, fulfilling life. A high honors degree is like a gold star in school – you should be proud of it. However, your life is not over if you do not have a Cum Laude.
The good news is that there are many rewards for building your CV. They may not be as prestigious as a Magna Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude, but they can help you in your future career or when you interview at a college or university. For example, awards for volunteerism, academic recognition, or leadership experiences such as chairing a college society or leading the debate team can help you get accepted to your college of choice.
Here are some ways to gain recognition at your school:
- get involved in extracurricular activities.
- do something outside of school
- volunteer with an organization
- join a club at school
- gain work experience with a part-time job if you have enough time
Learn More:
What Does It Mean To Be In An Honors Program?
Summa Cum Laude honor and Magna Cum Laude honor