Your education remains valuable later in life, particularly in your career. Sure, one in three companies no longer list this requirement in their salaried job postings. However, the vast majority of employers see its importance in the workplace.
Your degree doesn’t only mean you completed your course, passed all your exams, and met all your academic requirements. It also signifies the knowledge and skills you have earned, as well as the core values and key attributes you’ve developed. That’s why it’s essential in the workplace, particularly when attracting and winning various stakeholders.
Don’t worry—this blog tackles the value of a degree in building trust. Learn how to strategically frame your message to earn your clients’ or customers’ confidence in your business.
The Value of Degrees in Trust Building
Trust is everything in stakeholder relationships, especially with consumers. It’s what draws clients and customers in and keeps them coming back. But the big question is: How do you earn that trust and inspire confidence in your business?
There are various ways to do this—think consistent service, social proof, and utmost transparency. But whether you’re a sales professional selling your goods or services or a digital marketer engaging with clients or customers, leverage your education. Your degree holds value—it’s a trust signal!
Let’s explore how your degree can help build trust and connect you with your clients and customers more deeply.
The Psychology of Trust in Business
It’s no secret: There’s psychology involved in business. Trust plays a powerful psychological role in how people make decisions. It’s a trigger point that drives consumers’ curiosity and interest in your products or services. More importantly, it’s a determining factor that influences their purchase or hiring decisions.
In other words: It’s not just about liking your product; it’s about believing you know what you’re doing.
When patronizing a brand or purchasing products, clients and customers seek trust signals. Not only do they examine the value of your offer, but they also gauge your trustworthiness, credibility, and authority in your industry.
When customers interact with you and your brand, they subconsciously scan for trust cues:
- Do you know what you’re talking about?
- Can you deliver what you promise?
- Are you qualified to help them?
Your degree, if framed well, can serve as one of those cues.
The good news? More than nine out of ten (93%) of business leaders say trust building directly boosts profits. The bad catch? Nearly 95% admit they face real challenges in doing it. So, how do you build that trust with clients and customers?
According to Anna Zhang, Head of Marketing at U7BUY, trust starts with knowing yourself. She believes that self-awareness is key. She says, “Once you know yourself deeply enough, you can easily and quickly engage with other people. Whether you’re a sales professional or a digital marketer, you can build trust and establish good relationships with them.”
Self-awareness means understanding your strengths and knowing how to communicate them. That’s where your education comes in. By reflecting on what your degree taught you (beyond just the title), you can uncover value that your audience connects with.
Degrees as Trust Builders
Trust isn’t something you earn overnight. It’s built over time through 3Cs: Competence, credibility, and consistency. They form the foundation of every solid business relationship.
But here’s the challenge: While 90% of executives believe customers trust their companies, only 30% of customers agree. That’s a staggering 60% trust gap!
So, how do you close that gap? There are many strategies, but it often starts with you. Whether you’re promoting your brand or selling a product or service, your credentials matter. And one of the most overlooked trust assets? Your degree!
Remember, your diploma isn’t just a piece of paper. This paper actually represents years of learning, growth, and real-world readiness. When framed literally and figuratively, it becomes a powerful indicator of trust. Here’s why:
- Enhanced knowledge and skills: Your degree tells clients and customers you’ve put in the time to learn your craft. It signals you’ve earned the knowledge and acquired the soft and hard skills necessary to connect with stakeholders, solve problems, and deliver results.
- Real specialization and expertise: Have you studied something directly related to your work? Even better. Your degree reinforces that you’re not just passionate but also qualified. It’s living proof that your stock knowledge and skillsets are grounded in structured learning and absolute focus.
- Relevant training and experience: From internships to OJT, academic programs often include practical experience. This hands-on exposure makes you more credible and more trustworthy. It shows you’ve already been tested in the field!
- Core values and key attributes: Beyond knowledge, your education also shapes your mindset. It’s where you learn discipline, teamwork, resilience, and professionalism. Those traits don’t just stay in the classroom; They show up in how you work with clients and customers every day.
Emily Ruby, owner of Abogada De Lesiones, emphasizes the value of education in business. She believes that your degree serves as a trust-builder in attracting and winning customers or clients.
Ruby explains, “Your degree isn’t just academic; It’s proof that you’ve committed to learning and growing in your field. In business, that kind of dedication builds trust fast. Clients want to know they’re in capable hands, and your education helps show that.”
A Few Examples
Building trust with your clients and customers offers real benefits, from positive relationships to long-term loyalty. That’s why showcasing your degree as a trust signal is a wise move!
But on the flip side, failing to build trust can seriously hurt your business. According to research, it can negatively impact:
- Customer engagement (42%)
- Market expansion (41%)
- Business profitability (38%)
Remember: Trust isn’t optional; It’s a business essential.
Different fields of study naturally highlight strengths that clients and customers value. To build trust, you don’t need to match your degree with your job title exactly. It’s how you frame it—strategically!
Here are a few quick examples:
- A business degree demonstrates an understanding of strategy, planning, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
- An economics degree reflects strong financial and analytical thinking.
- A psychology degree suggests emotional intelligence and people skills.
- A liberal arts degree signifies strong communication skills and critical thinking abilities.
- A physical education degree shows dedication, discipline, and passion for wellness or sports.
Ultimately, use these strengths to connect your education to the value you offer.
Jarrod Epps, CEO at CPR Certification Labs, sees education as a vital foundation for long-term career success. He believes that your degree doesn’t just open doors but also equips you in connecting with others in meaningful ways.
Epps shares, “Your degree gives you more than just knowledge; It gives you the confidence and skills to connect with people. Whether it’s soft skills like communication or hard skills from your field, your education helps you engage with clients effectively and earn their trust instantly.”
Learn how to frame your degree to build trust with consumers in the next section.
How To Frame Your Degree with Clients and Customers
The message is crystal clear: Your educational background can build trust with consumers. However, framing your degree strategically is key to achieving this objective. Not only does it help build a strong personal brand, but it also lets you connect with different stakeholders.
That said, here’s how to frame your degree with clients and customers:
1. When introducing yourself: Highlight your credentials
Every time you engage with clients or customers, introductions are inevitable. Whether you’re a salesperson or marketer, this is your chance to build trust. And needless to say, your degree can definitely help!
However, the goal here isn’t to flaunt your title or boost your ego. Instead, use your education to back up your work. Remember, your degree can reinforce your qualification and expertise.
Lacey Jarvis, COO at AAA State of Play, says, “When relevant, you can also spotlight key coursework, notable projects, or academic achievements. Just make sure they align with your brand and the value you offer. Only if asked, professional certifications and licenses can add even more weight.”
For online channels or digital platforms, it’s best to frame your credentials strategically. They should support your work, not overshadow it. That said, here’s where you can do that effectively:
- On your website, blog, or portfolio (About page, testimonials, case studies)
- Through professional platforms (LinkedIn, speaker bios, podcasts)
- Via thought leadership content (blogs, webinars, talks)
- In your marketing materials, sales pitches, or client onboarding materials
2. When presenting your brand: Align education with brand values
Once you’ve introduced yourself, the next step is to present the brand you represent.
Voila, this is your chance to go beyond your name and job title. How? Connect your education to your company’s vision and mission. Instead of simply stating your degree, align it with the values your brand stands for.
Suppose your educational background is in environmental science, and you currently work for a sustainable brand. In that case, show how your education fuels your passion for eco-conscious solutions. When done well, this builds both personal credibility and brand trust!
Now, you can extend this alignment across multiple channels to maximize impact and establish trust. To help support your brand presence, use tools like a website authority checker to ensure your site performs well and earns trust online. Then, strategically highlight your educational background in these places:
- Company website (about page or team page)
- Blog and resources (blog posts and case studies)
- Social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, or TikTok)
- Sales and marketing content (author’s bio, case studies, white paper)
3. When conveying a message: Harness the power of storytelling
When engaging with clients and customers, your message is what matters most. A well-framed piece of content has the power to connect with people, build trust, and establish good relationships. But remember, it’s not what you say but how you say it!
When attention is short, and skepticism is high, storytelling is your secret weapon. Use it to bridge your educational background and the work you do today. This makes your message more relatable and human!
For example, if you support people through debt relief programs, you can share how your degree in finance or psychology helps you understand both the numbers and the emotions behind financial stress.
That said, here’s how to frame your story effectively:
- Start with the “why.” Why did you choose your field of study?
- Share a pivotal moment. Mention a class, project, or challenge that shaped your approach.
- Connect the dots. Tie your education directly to the solutions you now provide.
- Be honest about the journey. Clients appreciate transparency, so it makes you more trustworthy.
- Highlight growth and relevance. Emphasize how your learning continues to benefit your clients today.
4. When engaging with stakeholders: Focus on value—not title
Creating and sharing pieces of content is one thing. However, communicating real value to your clients, customers, and stakeholders is another. So, when engaging with others, your degree can absolutely support your message, but how you present it matters more!
Rather than focusing on your title and over-explaining your credentials, frame your degree in terms of the value it brings to the table. Remember, clients aren’t looking for fancy titles. They want proof that you understand their needs and can deliver the results they expect.
How do you showcase the value of your business degree? If your background is in business, for instance, show how it helps you solve real problems. Whether it’s strategic thinking, financial insight, or clear communication, what you offer should feel relevant and actionable.
Here are a few casual, customer-friendly examples of how to focus on value, not just titles:
- Marketing degree: “I basically speak fluent ‘customer.’ I help brands figure out what people actually care about. Then, make it impossible to ignore.”
- Engineering degree: “I was trained to solve problems like a robot… but with better coffee. Now I use that brainpower to untangle messy projects and build smarter solutions.”
- Finance degree: “I love numbers, especially the ones that save people money. I spot what’s draining your budget and help plug the leaks.”
- Education degree: “I turn jargon into plain English. If it sounds complicated, I can probably explain it with a sticky note and a Sharpie.”
- Graphic design degree: “Sure, I make things look good. But I also make them work. I design visuals that don’t just sit pretty but also sell, teach, or get clicks.”
Final Words
Education plays a crucial role in business—your degree still holds significant value in the workplace. As there’s the psychology of trust involved, your degree serves as a trust builder. It reflects your knowledge and skills, specialization and expertise, training and experience, as well as values and attributes.
That said, learn how to frame your degree to build trust with clients and customers. Follow our key steps above, whether introducing yourself, presenting the brand, conveying a message, or engaging with stakeholders. Ultimately, your education can help you attract and win their hearts!
Remember, your degree is a symbol of your academic success and a credential for trust-building. Ready to frame your degree? It’s time to do so figuratively and literally—shop for diploma and certificate frames!
