Advancement

• Not having a bachelor's degree can impede your career progression. If you are currently in a role that doesn't require a bachelor's degree and you want to advance to a higher level position that does require a four-year university degree, you may not be able to compete with other candidates on a level playing field.
  
  

Equivalency

• Many job postings that include academic credentials or educational requirements sometimes indicate that candidates must have a bachelor's degree or the equivalent. What constitutes knowledge that's equivalent to a bachelor's degree is unknown. However, savvy candidates usually rely on their professional background, work history, performance and life experience to illustrate their ability to perform well without a bachelor's degree. In cases where a bachelor's degree is not an absolute requirement, not having one may not be problematic, especially if your performance exceeds your employer's expectations.
  
  

Opinion

• If your job would typically require a bachelor's degree, yet you were hired based on your capabilities and skills, your colleagues or even your supervisor may begin to question your competence. Despite having exemplary performance, your colleagues' opinions of you could change based purely on the fact that you don't have the same academic credentials they have. Your co-workers' views of you shouldn't have any bearing on you; however, depending on how pervasive their views are, they can ultimately affect your satisfaction, enthusiasm and performance.
  
  

Falsification

• If you claim to hold a bachelor's degree but actually don't, you could put your job in jeopardy. Most employment applications require that applicants attest that the information they provide to employers is truthful. If the employer discovers otherwise, falsification of records could be a terminable offense. During the recruitment and selection process, it's incumbent upon applicants to be honest with prospective employers. You may find that employers will understand circumstances that would have prevented you from completing your degree. Alternatively, you could justify your suitability for a position based on your professional experience and expertise.
  
  

Retention

• Not having a bachelor's degree could actually have a positive impact on your job. Many companies that offer tuition assistance typically require employees who use the benefit to sign a retention agreement. Employees who take advantage of employer tuition assistance agree to stay with the company for a designated period after they complete their education. It's possible you could secure your employment by returning to school on the employer's tab with the agreement that you'll stay with the company for two to three years after finishing your degree.