Why is a college degree so important for certain jobs?

Question

I have been looking for a career change, and since hockey is, and has been, such a big part of my life. I thought I would look to corporate sales for NHL organizations. It's not really a career change per-say as I am doing Corporate sales now. I am just not selling season tickets and luxary boxes. I have been doing this for the last eight years and could sell ice to an eskimo if I had to. The problem is that all the job postings for this type of job require a College degree. I never did go to college becuase my natural abilty to sell and market items landed me a great job out of high school. I also wasn't the greatest student so sitting through four more years of school didn't intrest me. I also am in no finicial abilty to go back to school either so that isn't an option for me. Even though I have more experiance than most who would be applying for these jobs, How do I get the powers that be, to consider me with out the piece of paper that says I have an education?

Answer 1

It would seem to me that if you "could sell ice to an eskimo," then this should be a slam dunk for you. You should well understand that part of the sales process is overcoming obstacles and turning people's resistance into your opportunity. Right now, the product you have to sell is yourself and your ability.

Start by finding out who the people are who are really making hiring decisions, and then target them. Fashion a pitch that emphasizes your accomplishments and your attitude, followed by your domain expertise (in other words, your sports knowledge). Follow-up relentlessly, but without being annoying.

This is just another sales job. Surely you've sold things to people who have started out looking like they wouldn't touch you or your product or service in a million years, right? This is absolutely no different than that.

Answer 2

If you think a college degree is just a piece of paper that says you have an education that may be why you are not getting the job you want. A college degree means a lot of things:

1. It means that you can stick to something that is difficult and keep at it until you've reached a desired goal. Lazy people, people who cannot complete assignments, people who lose focus easily, never make it through college. A diploma tells a future employer that you do not quit easily--because college is HARD and it is tempting to quit all the time.

2. It also means that you have learned a great deal about a LOT of different subjects. I have two degrees (a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in American History) but I learned a great deal in a lot of other disciplines as well in order to graduate. Subjects such as: biology, mathematics, statistics, astronomy, humanities, English, botany, geology, poetry, English and American literature, Mexican culture, women's studies, ethnic studies, race and racism in America, etc... For a future employer that tells them that you are well-rounded and culturally literate. These type of people make great employees because they can relate to a lot of different people in society.

3. A college diploma also tells a future employer that you are not afraid to tackle a challenge. A lot of my friends from high school never attempted college because they were simply afraid to fail. As I mentioned, it is tough to complete college and a great number of college freshmen never make it to become a college senior. But if you have entered a college, stuck to it, and completed the coursework assigned then your employer knows that you are not afraid of a challenge and can perform well under pressure.

4. A college diploma also says that you are not a rebel that is going to buck the system all the time. You know how to follow rules. Although people hate to hear it, conformity is often the key to success in life. When hired you must conform to the rules of your employer. In college you HAVE to complete some courses that you don't want to--some courses that you may think you will never need in life. But you do the work because you have to. An employer does not want to hire a rebel who is always questioning their assignments of job description. Employees like that are a pain in the *** and never an asset to a company.

So don't ever think that a college diploma is simply a piece of paper that says you have an education--it says much more about YOU as a person than it simply says what you know.

Answer 3

It is extremely rare that without an education you will ever get to a high level. Getting a bachelor's degree is a dime a dozen now a days. People getting doctorates are having a hard enough time in the job market forget about a simple high school diploma. They are automatically going to seem more qualified than you. You are missing out on a lot not going to college. Unless you are a real go getter in your own business I doubt you will climb high where somebody else decides your fate. Find a way to go to school. College is much different than high school. You really do learn a lot. The guy above is absolutely right. I agree 100% with him.

Answer 4

I would just send in your resume listing your experience.
A college degree is nice, especially for entry level jobs, because it shows your employer that you know what you are doing and can put forth the effort for a degree.
but for jobs that need more experience, the degree becomes less important. They want to see that you can get results and make money for the company, so a degree isnt such a big deal.

Answer 5

Unfortunately there may be little that you can do. Your best bet would be to develop a good resume that highlights your achievements and experience. A lot of employers will prefer real world experience to-as you put it- a piece of paper.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

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Answer 9

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