does a degree determine your level of success?

Question

can't someone without a degree be just as successful as someone with a degree? would it be more difficult being successful without a degree than with one?

Answer 1

A degree does not determine your level of success. Your own success determines your level of success.

I have hired and fired people with degrees from leading universities. As I was hiring them, they were very proud to point out that they had their degree from XYZ University. They were ultimately let go as they could not apply their education to real business practices.

That said, I know a number of successful people, myself included, with degrees from prestigious institutions. I also know some incredibly successful people who never had the opportunity to go to college, but became successful because they put their hearts into it and they took the risks necessary to become successful.

If given a choice, get the degree. It won't hurt you. But once you have the degree, don't rest on your laurels. Put the degree to use. And don't think that just because you have a bachelors (or Masters or PhD) degree that you will be successful. . . consider the track greased, but the momentum to move along that track is all up to you.

Also, read the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki.

Answer 2

Well, it largely depends on how you define success. But, if you're talking financial success... on average, yes, it does matter. However, a few people beat out the system and often try to inspire the masses they can do the same. Unfortunately that doesn't work because reality will win - reality being represented by the normal bell curve and the percentages related to the majority of people. In short, get as high of a degree as you can and then help as many people as you can. The money will follow.

Answer 3

Some people who never earned a degree have become successful business people. On the other hand, those who do have a degree have a better chance of finding a job. In some cases, people can have the highest degrees and be totally stupid. Basically these people earned their degree by doing the HW assigned and didn't learn anything really!

Answer 4

I believe that Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard to start up Microsoft. So yes, in unusual cases someone can be a success without a degree. However, unless you are unusually talented and lucky and have family wealth to fall back on, it's probably a good idea to go for a degree.

Answer 5

My husband, who did not graduate from college (but has enough credits to be a junior--he dropped out), makes about 1/3 less than I do. I have a double bachelor's and two Masters'. The company he works for may be willing to help him go to school, and after he completes a certificate, he will make more money.

I have two friends who went on to get MBAs in their respective fields; the both make more money than someone with the same experience without the advanced degree.

So I'd have to say, anecdotally, yes, having a degree does matter. See below:

Census Confirms Earning Power of a College Degree
How much is a college degree worth? A steadily growing bundle, according to new data from the Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau showing that Americans age 18 and older with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $51,554, while those with a high school diploma earned $28,645.

The study, Educational Attainment in the United States: 2005, also showed advanced-degree holders made an average of $78,093.

A few other highlights include:

* In 2005, 85 percent of all adults 25 years or older reported they had completed at least high school. More than one-quarter (28 percent) of adults age 25 years and older had attained at least a bachelor's degree.

* High school graduation rates for women continued to exceed those of men, 85.4 percent and 84.9 percent, respectively. On the other hand, men had a greater proportion of the population with a bachelor's degree or higher (28.9 percent compared with 26.5 percent of women).

* Non-Hispanic whites had the highest proportion of adults with a high school diploma or higher (90 percent), followed by Asians (88 percent), blacks (81 percent) and Hispanics (59 percent).

Baseline figures showed a slight increase from the 2004 report of Educational Attainment, which showed that workers with bachelor’s degrees earned an average of $51,206 a year, while those with a high school diploma earned $27,915.

Answer 6

Having the degree gets your foot in the door much more easily. Many employers consider a degree to be a credibility issue - you have proved that you can do it. However, after you get the first job, success then is up to you. It is your personal qualities, work ethic, commitment, etc. that helps you move up the ladder. Many promotions in business, government services, etc. do require a degree.

Answer 7

A degree doesn't determine you level of success.

All a degree proves is that you can stick to a program and succeed. When hiring for jobs many HR departments require degrees to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

I don't know about anywhere else, but in New York City it does not matter as long as you are black or hispanic, or other ethnic group. If you are white, you're out of luck (definitely need it), unless of course your parents are rich.

Answer 10

Not necessary