If a non-graduate's experience and knowledge is greater than that of a college grad, why would they earn less?

Question

It seems that a company would benefit from an intelligent employee with a solid work history, who has proven knowledge and experience. A college graduate may have less experience, solely book knowledge, and yet will be a prime candidate in the eyes of an employer. Not only will they be considered first, but if both the graduate and the non-graduate were hired, chances are the grad will have a higher salary despite being less valuable upon entry to the company. I understand this is a generalization and there are exceptions. Please assume that this situation has arisen and has been proven repeatedly.

Please do not assume this is me. I just happen to have observations that I frequently question, taken from life. This is just hypothetically speaking.

Answer 1

It comes down to how well you interview and how you position yourself. If the non-grad's experience earned them less money than the company's policy directs grads to be paid, they will earn less.

But if the non-grad really highlights the quality of their experience, demands a greater salary and can back it up by highlighting what they bring to the table, there should be no reason for them to earn less.

Answer 2

Because a college degree is about more than experience. Not only do a large portion of today's college grads have hands-on experience by the time they graduate, but a college degree says something about your genuine interest in the field. Most importantly, however, it shows that an applicant can pick up new information easily and is responsible enough to get the necessary work done (4 years of successful college work). Like you, I realize that this is a generalization and there are exceptions, but these are the assumptions that follow you when you have a college degree. Furthermore, depending on the school an applicant graduated from, employers often recognize the rigorous application process that the school put them through- often, people "assume you're smart" because you got into (fill-in college here). Finally, most fields are evolving and changing with the times and with technology, and a recent college graduate, while less experienced than a veteran of the field, has been able (and in many times required) to look at all of those new changes far more recently, therefore becoming better able to help the company keep up with the times.

Answer 3

Most of the ideas about hiring people just because they have degrees are seriously flawed. There are people who have been hired just because they have a degree, no matter what it is in. They could have a degree in ant farming and get hired as an accountant. Then they have to be trained anyway for the job they were hired for. And people who have actual, hands-on experience of the exact job are looked over. I have seen this happen many times. I do not have a degree from a college, but have attended specialty schools. I have over 30 years education, training, and experience in my field. I am considered an expert in my field, but the first thing they ask when I interview for a job is about college degrees. Depending on how they handle my response that I do not have one makes my decision of whether I really want to work for them or not. The question of why they get paid more is flawed in the same way. We have been brain-washed to think that if someone earned a college degree as opposed to years of hard, dedicated work it is somehow worth more. This is just wrong. The merits of both should be weighed and pay should be based on the competence and work-ethics of the individual.

Answer 4

The problem lies in your question's assumption. A non-graduate's experience and knowledge is NOT greater than that of a college grad. A college graduate has proven that s/he has the intelligence and discipline to achieve a degree. And the knowledge of a graduate will often be very subject-intensive and include theoretical aspects, which allow the development of creative new ideas. A non-graduate can be trained to do anything and become accomplished at it, but the lack of a college degree generally shows that the worker's capacity to learn is more finite than a college grads.

There are exceptions to everything, of course, but for every one Fortune 500 non-college graduate, the other 499 have degrees.

Answer 5

In all reality, the exception lie in instances of college grads earning more. At 23, a High School graduate with IQ 120 will likely be earning more than a College grad with IQ 120. The biggest difference is that the high school grad has proven his worth to his current employer. If he goes elsewhere, it will likely be for a pay cut. The college grad will likely change jobs a handful of times after graduation, because it is assumed by employers that they possess basic skills without proof. The college grad can usually make more money somewhere else, even if they are less than adequate. The truth of the matter lies in those employees that are IQ 135+. A high school grad will excel at their job and occasionally fix inefficiencies. A college grad at that IQ level often has recieved specific general training that does focus on modifying current processes, but building new ones. Don't believe what you see on TV, where college grads are making so much more than everyone else. Several of my friends that got Bs in college are accepting manufacturing and secretarial jobs to pay the bills. As soon as something better pops up though, they're gone. Opportunities just don't pop up as often for HS grads. Don't go out to get your degree if you're past the age of 27 or so. Go out and take specific night classes in computer programs you use at work or could use at work. Go learn Excel inside and out. Write a small database for your work in Microsoft Access. Learn how to use Microsoft Project. They're hard to learn in a classroom. Chances are, you can outperform a graduate in these areas by learning them while you are applying them. You don't have to be a computer genius for these either. Have good math, logic, and presentation skills and you can move up to mid-management. Many companies limit your vertical mobility to your education though. Just how high do you want to go?

Answer 6

Now what I am about to say may not apply to individual cases, but is statistically true. So, that said, no bashing me or gnashing of teeth and screaming that you have a cousin, who knows this guy who has a friend ....

Generally someone who has earned a degree has shown an aptitude to learn new things, to be flexible and to plan and stay with a course of action. This translates into a tendency for the college grad to be more easily trained not only to do their own work, but to sort of be a team leader. They also come out of school with current theories and a lack of "bad habits"

Also, if the company has a "resume" that they use to sell themselves to the outside world, having "23 people with Bachelors, 8 Masters Degrees and 1 PhD" looks better than "22 people with Bachelors, 8 Masters Degrees and 1 PhD and this other guy."

Not fair. Maybe not. I got into Comp Sci without a degree, but I took the time and money to invest in a Masters Degree in it and it has eventually paid off. So, maybe that is the answer for you.

Sorry and good luck.

Answer 7

1. The college graduate, if their degree applies to the business they are entering, has knowledge of modern theories on what will work for the business. They get paid more for this knowledge and it is kind of a "reward" for doing the schooling.
2. The college grad with no work experience can be molded. They don't have pre-established work habits coming in that may disagree with what the business owner has. There is no re-training, just training.

Answer 8

On a one on one situation, your arguement might seem unfair. For instance, I know a guy that is a phenom when it comes to automotive repair. He has been fixing cars (basically anything with a motor) since he was 10. He's about 40 now and has been working in a garage all of his life. He did graduate high school, but has no training other than that. He now manages a Goodyear (which I believe sent him to their management classes and certification schools). He knows and runs that particular store better than anyone else probably could (as he's been there forever and knows everything there is to know about it.) On the automotive side, he can't be outdone. On the administrative side, a person with a college degree would be able to handle the actual business side of it better than he does.

Answer 9

I think it really depends on what field you're going into.

In the internet and e-commerce world I come across this all the time as a hiring manager, and, each time my offer to the recent grad with no experience is less than what I offer to someone with experience.

Bachelor's degrees are a dime a dozen these days. All they really indicate is that you are "trainable." If you want to have the best advantage through education, get a PhD.

Answer 10

It always seems to be this way. A piece of paper is more valuable than experience. It is sad. And in my opinion looses some companies lots of money. Just because they went to school and got that degree does not mean that they are more qualified than someone who has been doing it for 4 years. And it seems sad to me that the person who has been doing the work for 4 years seems like a nobody just because he doesn't have that piece of paper(degree). They are just as valuable, if not more. I don't understand this either.