It’s not all about professional skill. Going to college also signals that you are a part of a group that the employers are also a part of, that is, people who have had a “college experience”. If you went to a similar college to them, they may feel a sense of familiarity, and thus comfort, thinking that they understand your experience. People like what they are familiar with (see the mere exposure effect.
Going to a certain college can signal that you are part of a certain group with a certain set of social skills and experiences that will help you fit in at the workplace. Doing certain college activities, such as joining a fraternity or sorority, may signal that you have a certain type of outlook on life that may or may not mesh with the work environment you are trying to join. In other words, going to college can add more useful data to potential employers. With such stiff competition, many employers may have the luxury of only picking applicants that fit best in the largst number of ways.
Additionally, going to college may be, at least in certain subcultures, a rite of passage. Those who fail to pass those rights may be considered to socially strange or undesirable to be a part of the organization. It may even actually help build social skills, and skills for professional interpersonal relationships (explanation 2). I wouldn’t be hugely surprised if not going to college signaled a lack of mainstream social skills and respect for social niceties (explanation 1). No comment on whether this would be good or bad, but it could definitelt be off-putting in many workplaces.
It’s not all about professional skill. Going to college also signals that you are a part of a group that the employers are also a part of, that is, people who have had a “college experience”. If you went to a similar college to them, they may feel a sense of familiarity, and thus comfort, thinking that they understand your experience. People like what they are familiar with (see the mere exposure effect.
Going to a certain college can signal that you are part of a certain group with a certain set of social skills and experiences that will help you fit in at the workplace. Doing certain college activities, such as joining a fraternity or sorority, may signal that you have a certain type of outlook on life that may or may not mesh with the work environment you are trying to join. In other words, going to college can add more useful data to potential employers. With such stiff competition, many employers may have the luxury of only picking applicants that fit best in the largst number of ways.
Additionally, going to college may be, at least in certain subcultures, a rite of passage. Those who fail to pass those rights may be considered to socially strange or undesirable to be a part of the organization. It may even actually help build social skills, and skills for professional interpersonal relationships (explanation 2). I wouldn’t be hugely surprised if not going to college signaled a lack of mainstream social skills and respect for social niceties (explanation 1). No comment on whether this would be good or bad, but it could definitelt be off-putting in many workplaces.