Do you think a college degree is important?

[Jory]

The reason I am asking is because you hear all these people usually the ones that have stating that what you learn outside of school is more importanat then that piece of paper....But that piece of paper can be very important..sometimes in keeping your job..

Case in point; A while back I was at this bar in Long Beach,Ca called the Mineshaft some of you might of heard of it. w

Well any how I was in the back where people go to smoke I like it because it's sort of outside and I can kick my feet up. Well there was this group and we were having this conversation. Which lead to our careers any how this one guy stated that he was in buisness for himself....I then asked him what he did before that...He told me he work at this company as head sales or marketing can't remember.

Until they were bought out by another company who felt that the only quailfied person for the job that he had there could only be done by someone with a college education. which he didn't have so the fired him and he stated not only that they had security at his desk to "escort him out" when he got all of his personal stuff out.

But he was able to talk to his boss and tell them that because of all that he knew the "qualified" person who would most likely fuck up...Which he did two weeks into and was let go.....So do you think that paper is important or not....It very important very very important Dont fuck up like I did go out and get it .

 

[tonyboy]

The reason I am asking is because you hear all these people usually the ones that have stating that what you learn outside of school is more importanat then that piece of paper....But that piece of paper can be very important..sometimes in keeping your job..

Case in point; A while back I was at this bar in Long Beach,Ca called the Mineshaft some of you might of heard of it. w

Well any how I was in the back where people go to smoke I like it because it's sort of outside and I can kick my feet up. Well there was this group and we were having this conversation. Which lead to our careers any how this one guy stated that he was in buisness for himself....I then asked him what he did before that...He told me he work at this company as head sales or marketing can't remember.

Until they were bought out by another company who felt that the only quailfied person for the job that he had there could only be done by someone with a college education. which he didn't have so the fired him and he stated not only that they had security at his desk to "escort him out" when he got all of his personal stuff out.

But he was able to talk to his boss and tell them that because of all that he knew the "qualified" person who would most likely fuck up...Which he did two weeks into and was let go.....So do you think that paper is important or not....It very important very very important Dont fuck up like I did go out and get it .

Hell yes man... It's not only important it's necessary nowdays. And especially for young folk. I had this conversation tonight with a young friend of mine.
It is imperative that anyone gets some sort of post highschool education in this world. Doesn't have to be a full 4 year college. Hell, even a 2 yr. associates degree will help. Junior college, anything that will give a young person an edge.

 

[therealm1]

Yes, the college degree is important. As a recent grad (Class of '06), I worked too hard to let that piece of paper mean nothing to me. It does act as a means to several opportunities.

But here's the real deal. I can only speak for Higher Ed when I say this... sometimes, employers immediately equate a degree to competence. In particular with Higher Ed, an entry-level position now requires a Master's degree. This is for jobs that we mere Bachelor's only-holders can do with a level of competence that rivals a Master's degree holder. I've been disappointed in this move towards hiring individuals with Masters just cause they've been taught student development theory for a job that requires good brains and common sense to complete.

However, this is the system. What can I do? If I fight it, I fail. There's no way for me to succeed in the arena WITHOUT pursuing higher education. So I must enroll into grad school.

I said all of that to say, even a Bachelor's is becoming common place these days. Some of the better jobs are looking for people with greater education, but most importantly, these jobs also tend to look for individuals with EXPERIENCE. Theory is all fine and dandy but if you can't apply it properly, you're worthless. That's why career counselors push for students to apply for internships. I've lucked out right now because since I've graduated, I landed a job with my alma mater working in my field of interest. I've delayed grad school for awhile to gain valuable experience that will hopefully benefit me in the end.

So if you're thinking about post-secondary education, go for it. As tonyboy said, any form of Higher Education works these days-- 2-year associates, 4 year bachelors, trade school. Potential employers like to know that a potential employee is willing to apply himself beyond the norm. Plus, you become more marketable in the end.

 

[AngelFromAbove]

In relation to the job market, it can give someone an advantage to gain access to high paying jobs than a person with no post-high school education; however, it is not a guarantee, especially if the degree is not very specific. Furthermore, employers still want to know that a person has some experience relevant to the job for which he or she is applying, whether or not the person has a degree.

For example, I know people who majored English, Sociology, and History. The degrees are nice for embellishing their apartments, but they cannot really do anything with them as they would have to go to have a Master's degree in them. One guy, who was a History major, ended up moving to Hollywood to become an actor.

 

[justsimon]

I think it is sometimes important. I'm looking to get a degree in design because it's difficult to find a decent job in the field without one and because I'd like the opportunity to work with other creative people (students) and to learn more.

Do I think it's absolutely necessary? No.

 

[SantaCBear]

For 85% of people YES!

 

[G-Lexington]

As far as getting you a job, it's barely worth a damn thing.

If you're up against another potential employee, and you're both on equal footing other than a college degree, the degree will probably be the deciding factor. Other than that, unless a degree is an absolute must for your field, experience will trump the degree every single time.

That said, college was what made me who I am today. I'm extremely happy with my education - both the one I got in class, and the one I got outside of class. It was worth every penny, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Lex

 

[backpacker]

It really depends on what you want to do with your life. A degree is not just a piece a paper, but rather an indication of dedication and higher learning. A degree expands your opportunities and often leads to more enjoyable work.

I would have never achieved what I have without a college education. First, the degree opened the door to a job. More importantly, the knowledge I gained in college allowed me to succeed.

I worked for a multi-billion dollar company after leaving college. I can tell you that it was very apparent to me that people just don't pick up all the knowledge on the job that a college education provides. Sure, they may become very proficient in their job area, but they lack the well rounded knowledge to move up. There were many people in my company that peaked at supervisory roles and often thought that they were unfairly passed over for promotion by less experienced, college educated people. They didn't even recognize what they didn't know, let alone have those qualifications for the promotion. Their lack of knowledge was often very apparent in meetings. I had many people working for me with 10 - 20 years more experience at the company than I had, but they could have never done my job. College educated people approach problems differently; usually with a broader prospective.

Interestingly enough, I find that the social science and humanity courses have proved to be just as valuable as the courses in my major.

I would say the person in your example is just rationalizing some reason for being shit canned. If he was doing a great job, they wouldn't have let him go just because he didn't have a degree. My guess is that the guy was locked into what they had done in the past and not able to grasp the vision of the new owners. my experience is that the non-college educated employees were usually the most resistant to change.

 

[trydegrau]

I don't even have a HS, if I wanna earn good money I'll have to start my own business (soon).

It is easier to make good money with a degree, but I never wanted to have a boss, or go the deskjob route, so...It wasnt right for me.

Im glad my sister is still in college

 

[metta]

Yes, it is very important in most cases. All that I have to do is look at my neighbors. Most of them have at least one degree, with most of them having graduate, PHD, and doctorate levels. And in most cases, it is both of them and not just one person with the degrees.

I don't even have a HS, if I wanna earn good money I'll have to start my own business (soon).

It is easier to make good money with a degree, but I never wanted to have a boss, or go the deskjob route, so...It wasnt right for me.

Im glad my sister is still in college

hmmmmm....opening your own business, education is still important. Either way, a healthy brain may be useful. (In regards to somethng you posted a couple of days ago.)

 

[star-warrior]

Not necessarily important, but can be.

I'm not saying everyone should go for a college education, because that'd be plain wrong. Not everyone is suited to study.

Besides, having a college degree straight out of university doesn't mean you're competant to do anything. It just shows how much theory you know with little or no actual practice. Most of the stuff you learn in College is highly specialised and pinned to certain situations. In real life, situations are often unpredictable, and no amount of book learning may prepare you for the unexpected.

More often than not, experience and knowledge are the major contributing factors to problem solving. If you have little real experience, then you're bound to make mistakes. For those who reached their level of expertise by employment working up the ranks, they have much more hands on experience, and can often know or figure out a physical problem better.

By all means get a college education if you need one, but a vocational route can also involve in-work training which can lean to recognised qualifications too.

Not only do you work and get a qualification, you also get paid. There lies something to think about, for those of you who are beginning the real life.

 

[Jory]

Most of you are stating that to have a good job you need a degree, but think about the first post he had no degree but was in the position because the orginal owners or whoever it was thought he had the talent and skill to do the job and this ended when the new owner thought otherwise.

 

[JayHew]

It is a sad misconception now days that a degree is necessary for most positions. Hell soon you will need a degree to flip hamburgers. I don't really mean to put down anyone who endeavors to obtain a degree, as yes, in today's work world it is becoming a necessity. That being said:

In most of my experience, those with the degrees, especially when first starting out have their heads filled with useless theory. The College atmosphere is notorious for not dealing with the reality of the world. I don't know how many college grads I have had to train in the proper way of doing business over my career, but it is damn difficult, frustrating and takes a lot of time, about 3 years to finally have something sink in.

Also seen many times in my experiences it has been the guys who have worked in a given field or profession that take care of the problem after the college grads studied the hell out of the problem, blew a wad of money and still couldn't get a fix.

Having a degree is a nice thing and again unfortunately today, necessary, but if I had a choice in hiring someone, give me the guy with experience and has come up the hard way as most often, he can and will get the job done quickly and correctly the vast majority of the time.

 

[TomahawkEagle]

It sure is important to have at least a bachelor's degree. Doesn't necessarily provide better prospects but is does help in the long term.

 

[valis23]

The degree helps in unexpected ways. It doesn't really matter what subject matter the degree is for. What matters is having it. Even as a business owner, mine has helped in so many ways. I went to a private school that's well known in this region. Practically every lawyer, judge, doctor, etc. around here went to the same school, and the ones who didn't wish they had. That common bond -tenuous as it is- has landed me a lot of clients over the years. There are other benefits which also hinge on having a college degree. One that comes to mind is sitting on corporate or charitable boards. Many require members to have degrees.
You just never know when that otherwise insignificant piece of paper will come in handy.

 

[gameboy 11]

It could be important, but I think at least a fair amount of people survive fine without it.

I don't feel the need to get mine yet. I'm only 22...and besides, I kinda lost interest in college. But who knows, I may go back for a third try one day!

=D

 

[Jacobson]

As far as getting you a job, it's barely worth a damn thing.

If you're up against another potential employee, and you're both on equal footing other than a college degree, the degree will probably be the deciding factor. Other than that, unless a degree is an absolute must for your field, experience will trump the degree every single time.

That said, college was what made me who I am today. I'm extremely happy with my education - both the one I got in class, and the one I got outside of class. It was worth every penny, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Lex

Ditto. My college degree is worth fuck all. No one is going to give me an job because I got an A on my Existentialism paper. No one cares whether or not my zine that included three articles on male sexuality and modern poetry got an A+. And even less would they care that I got exempted from my Humanities exam. It means fuck all in terms of getting a job or being taken any seriously by society. If anything they'll tell you think too much and perhaps you should not be here. This is what happened at my last job where my college experience landed me: A call centre.

BUT... I am very happy with what I learned in college. It was an awesome time for me. I got to read a lot of cool shit, and then write papers about it, and discuss it with others. Some people were there to learn and really explore things, others were just there to get a degree so they could get a job in daddy's firm. That's kewl yo! I got to see the world, listen to different ideas. I discovered Noam Chomsky and Margaret Atwood, and I got to write about Simone de Beauvoir, and apply Victorian literature into my analysis of contemporary society. COLLEGE WAS KEWL!!!!!

But, for it's Socrates purposes. Mainly to open one's mind from just their zone. It's like every cup of coffee I drink, is connected to another's reality. And either I'm imposing and colozing that reality for my own benefit or else I can attempt to find a compromise and harmonious state to co-exist with another. And I'm so happy that I could understand so much more after college. People looks different, my actions, are different. There's more of a thought process that occurs now that I've gone to college because it kinda made me aware of the human being.

 

[BrandonSBCA]

Yeah it's very important.

 

[JASON0980]

a college education is like money, they are both very important, if you don't have them. if you have a college education, chances are you don't think about it all the time. if you don't then you think about it everyday. when you go for a new job, when your working the one you have and don't like, you think about it.

there are people all over the world who's only way out is a college education, unfortunately those are most often the ones who can't afford it. i know, i know, "there is help for paying for college" there are many expenses that go along with college that there is no help for.

 

[thermodynamics]

It depends on what you want to do.

In my field (Mechanical Engineering), the degree is 100% necessary. In fact, to work on public projects, you have to go one step further and become a Professional Engineer (PE). You get that by taking a test, and then you work "under" a PE for several years. Many jobs require some accreditation process, and those processes almost always require at least a Bachelor's Degree.