Do you think that it is neccessary to go to college?

Question

I have two degrees a B.S and a M.B.A and my job does not require me to have either one, but I am compensated very well for what I do. After I started working in corporate America, I found that degrees are not looked upon as well as experience, because there are other people above me who don't have the education that I have and make more money. What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

I think a college education can open a lot of doors for people and give them a scope of wisdom that some do not have, however, I think if someone chooses not to go to college they will be okay in most cases. My ex-husband didn't have a college degree, but he was in a management position where he made about 20K more per year than I did.

You also have to look at some of the dummies coming out of college today. I think the value of that almighty diploma is getting cheaper. You can talk to people with degrees who do not know how to write, speak or have any common sense.

I think if people want a degree, by all means, pursue it. But I don't believe in people "not amounting to anything" if they don't have one.

Answer 2

I think going to college will always be beneficial. For one thing college prepares you for life in the adult world. Educating yourself is always beneficial. Although your current job does not require a degree, think about future positions you may want to achieve which may require a degree.

Also, even though a college degree is great, when it comes to negotiating salary a degree is only one variable of the negotiating platform, you have to sell yourself also as well as your ability to perform and convince the person that you deserve to make x amount of dollars as opposed to what they may be offering you. That may be part of the reason you see people above making more money that do not have the education you have. There are many other variables that may explain why they are making more money than you: they've been there a lot longer, have a LOT of experience, know key people in management, etc.

The bottom line is that a college degree is not a guarantee that you will have a great high paying career but it does greatly expand your opportunities to do so.

Hone your negotiating skills and you will be on your way to where you want to be. You have not wasted your time/money by obtaining your degree! You've got a great start.

Congratulations on your two degrees!

Answer 3

A generation ago not many people went to college. Neither of my parents did. They way you learned was started on the bottom at a company, and worked your way up. Some of these people are still working at the top of their fields and making good money, but the incoming workers are expected to have a degree. Some factories even want their line workers to have college now.

I explain it to my kids this way, if you want to work really hard, go to trade school. Plumbers, mechanics, and carpenters all make good livings, and there is nothing wrong with that, it is good, hard work! But if you want to have insurance that you will always have a job, go to college. My husband does not have a degree, he was making good money at a physical job, then a injury made it impossible for him to do that job. If he had a degree he could have gone back to work fairly quickly, but we went 8 months with no income. Now he is working and making decent money again, still no degree, but he turned his hobby into a job and we started our own business.

I guess my point is this, it is possible to find a job with no college, but that degree makes things alot easier, especially if the unexpected happens!

Answer 4

Times have change drastically.
To get the higher pay, you have to have experience.
To get the experience, you have to have the job.
To get the job, you have to have the education.
Most don't follow the 'learn on the job' way of life.
If you want the job now, you need the education first.
You have the education and the job, now just settle in for the battle of getting the experience.
And if you're employer is helping/paying the bill for the education, why not take advantage of that while you can. It's something they can't take back should you quit or get canned and it'll always help you in the long run.

Answer 5

You are so correct experience is alot. But that has changed. In todays job market, experience is difficult to obtain unless you have a certain level of education to begin with. This particular level of education assists you in developing the skills, knowledge and basic competencies to succeed at various types of positions those especially related to Corporate America! Yes college is necessary. I can gurantee that if you wanted one of the jobs that those people ahead of you got that a degree would be required. Remember that experience says alot, but in order to get the experience, education is needed....

Besides just think of what your business card says.

Good for you Gurl!

Answer 6

I don't think it is an absolute necessity for some fields of work. For me it was. My job requires a degree. Either way in my personal opinion I think everyone should give college a try. I know I learned a lot about myself while I was in college. I learned how to manage money, time, and myself. Very beneficial.

Answer 7

Its not neccessary. But, its dependant upon what your goals are. I've recently attained my Associates in Marketing/Management, and in relevance to my goals, have realized THAT isnt even enough. Back to the books for me!

Oh, btw, for the Wendy's comment, I was a manager there during college, and they offered me 40k a yr to start to move up, as well as free life ins. discounted health, stock options, 4 weeks vacation and 10 sick/personal days. This was BEFORE I had my degree. LOL So, dont knock Wendy's, that pay scale is better than avg in America.

Answer 8

I like what that guy said above Knowledge is power. If you dont go to college youll end up working at Wendys you whole life with a minimum wage. How fun is that. Plus at college you get to make lots of knew freinds.

Answer 9

Knowledge may be power but it isn't income. Experience is far more important in the business world. A degree will get you in the door but how you perform and the experience you gain determines your income level.

Answer 10

i dont think its necessary because most of the richest people in the us are college dropouts...however i do think that when it comes to getting a job people who have went to college are looked at more favorable than those who havent