What is Entry Level?

Entry level broadly refers to the point at which job seekers enter the job market with the minimum required training and education, although not yet having work experience in the chosen field. Thus, in the broadest sense, entry level is the entry point into a profession between education and experience. However, this definition of the entry level has changed in recent years to often include some level of actual work experience, depending on the specific job or career.

For many white collar professions, the entry level may require a minimum amount of higher education, specifically at the college or university level. An associate, bachelor, master or doctorate degree may be required for an entry level job into a profession. While many entry level jobs require only the educational prerequisite, the increase of competitiveness in the job market often requires some level of work experience in the field, usually in the form of an internship or cooperative education (coop), often taking place either during the higher education period or during summer breaks.

For many blue collar professions, such as trade professions, entry level may include the formal training for the profession itself. So the entry level for a plumber, for example, may include time spent in both apprenticeship training and on-the-job (OTJ) experience. However, many blue collar professions require no formal training, education or work experience, although many employers require a minimum of a high school diploma.

If you would like to understand more about the specific education requirements of a specific career, please review the careers listed here at our site.

If you would like to search for an entry level job, simply go to the home page of our site and enter your search criteria.

At CollegeGrad.com the jobs posted at our site clearly list the minimum education requirements as well as the minimum experience requirements. We have jobs posted which are internships (for those currently in college), entry level (for new college graduates) and experienced (for those with work experience in the field beyond entry level).

For more information about CollegeGrad.com, please contact us.