US Department of Education Certificates and degrees earned by graduates of two-and four-year colleges or universities lead to different kinds of professional opportunities. Many professions require graduate degrees beyond the traditional four-year degree, such as a medical degree or a law degree. For example: A course of study in bookkeeping at a community college generally prepares a student for a job as a bookkeeper. A four-year degree in economics may prepare a student for any one of several jobs in a bank or a business. A four-year degree in English may serve as background for elementary or secondary school teaching or for work as an editor with a magazine. In Chart 1, there is a partial listing of different occupations and the educational background generally required or recommended for each. Some people who go on to acquire jobs in the four-year-college column obtain a graduate degree or some graduate education, but many of these jobs can be filled by people who do not have more than a four-year college education. For more information on the educational requirements of specific jobs, contact a guidance counselor or check the latest copy of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the U.S. Department of Labor, in your library.