If you’re trying to break into a new set of responsibilities at work or amp up your current role, it may be tempting to immediately think about getting another degree. Additional degrees and certifications can sometimes be a great addition to your professional portfolio, but holding a security clearance plus excelling in a few key soft skills can be the real game changer – so before you think about heading back to the classroom, consider these three things – you may realize that the security clearance plus soft skills combo may be even more powerful.
Security Clearance Reduces Risk
Your bachelor’s degree does matter and often checks a big box for a professional just starting out, but holding a security clearance is arguably the biggest green flag of all. When companies hire someone with a security clearance, they’re automatically saving themselves time, money, and uncertainty. This is especially true in cleared environments where reducing risk is oftentimes more valuable than a candidate’s credentials.
Soft Skills Aren’t Optional: They’re Vital
When “soft skills” come to mind, you may think of traits like reliability, adaptability, and discretion. In cleared work environments, these sorts of characteristics aren’t just word fluff or “nice to have” skills – they can be mission critical. Handling sensitive information and adhering to protocols aren’t skills you slap on your resume like a degree, and it’s what makes them a clearance superpower.
Experience Translates Faster Than Education
Good judgment and proven professional behavior can’t be taught, and in a moment of crisis or pressure, those qualities tend to stand out more than someone who boasts a perfect education but no cleared experience. Knowing what you can grow in behind the scenes can be just as valuable as enrolling in another course.
Degrees absolutely matter for many roles, and they generally hold a prominent spot on most resumes, cleared or not – but in national security careers, having a security clearance plus a reservoir of soft skills often open the door first. Once you’re thriving in your career, your education becomes a multiplier, not a checkmark.
