Why isn't my career/life advancing??

Question

I am 5 months away from earning my bachelors degree, and I have an Associates degree. why is it that there are people at my company with waay better jobs (and my age--I'm 23) who only have a high school diploma? I know it sounds like I am whining, but I am sick of this crap. I work full time, monday through friday, and go to school at night for my Bachelors full time, and have a 3.9 GPA. Everyone always says if you work hard, you will make it, but I see no evidence of this. I don't have a chip on my shoulder. but could it just be because these counterparts with the HS diploma are white, and I'm black? I hate to think like this, and hate when people complain about this type of thing, but I am starting to think that it is true. I have to work twice as hard to get half as far. It seems so many people just get things handed to them on a silver platter. know, I know... Life isn't fair, but this is ridiculous. I don't see how I am ever going to be able to own a home at this rate.

Janet--- I understand what you are saying about the experience thing. The people I am talking about are MY AGE with a HS diploma (tons of them at my work) and have much better paying jobs. I am going to pursue an MBA as well, because then maybe it will be put me on the same level as others.

Gatsy- No, I know what you are saying. I am not saying that I want to pursue an MBA to compete with someone with a High
School Diploma, I am saying that I think it may be able to give me a "one up" with someone who has a Bachelors degree. I understand that being overqualified can be a negative thing.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I will say one thing, I think you have learned a valuable lesson at a young age. It took me a lot more years to figure it out. Sometimes you are not being offered better jobs, given more responsibility, etc you might just have to change jobs. It sounds odd, but maybe people look at you as someone in school and therefore they are fully expecting you to move on when you graduate, so why bother promote you. Also the job you are doing may not be related to your skill sets, strengths, interests and school work.
I had a job that I was over qualified for and did terrible.
Bide your time and then look for a job where a college degree is required.
As far as being a minority, sure that could be a big part of it, intentional or unintentional. I have been with companies that have no interest in diversity at all, and with a company that values diversity, talks about the topic, requires managers to understand how to look past differences. You have to evaluate a company on that subject. Are there any minorities in senior management positions?
Good luck
PS I just read your additional note. Sorry you are not getting it. You are not getting a BA/BS and thinking about an MBA to compete with those with a HS diploma. I know you think this is not logical, but for jobs where a college degree is not required, a college degree is actually a negative. I can explain it to you more if needed. Just trust me. This is a totally losing proposition and actually the worst thing you can do. You want a job where a college degree is required.
PSS. What you are saying is not "incorrect", but is not the way you need to be looking at it. You don't get a given degree to get a leg up over someone with a lower level degree. Yes if the requirements are a BA to get an interview, then with a BA you have a chance to interview for a job with BA requirements, but you will competing against other BA applicants, same with a masters or PhD.

Answer 2

The competition for positions between someone with a high school diploma and someone with an associate's degree pretty much doesn't involve any competitive advantages based on education. An associate's degree doesn't give you much leverage in anything. Even someone with a bachelor's degree can struggle against someone with a high school diploma who has years of experience at a specific company.

Yeah, there is racism in the workplace... but you're young and still need more education, skills and experience. Don't expect the job market to be an efficient market based only on merit, because unfortunately human nature determines what happens more than logic sometimes. Just keep reaching for your goals, and don't become overly preoccupied with the inefficiencies and bias of employers.

Answer 3

I've often felt the same way...and I'm a white male. I'm a bit older than you and I have learned a few things a long the way.

One of the most important things you need to be doing is selling yourself and your ideas. Academic nerds like us are often not good at that. We just do a good job and expect that others will notice. Serious frustration and jealousy can come in when no one notices. Our teachers usually noticed, but the bosses do not.

I think a two-pronged approach is best. On one hand try to learn about salesmanship and motivation. Read some good books on this. It's not that you're going for a career in a traditional 'sales' department, you're just recognizing that selling yourself and your ideas is a necessary task for getting ahead.

At the same time take a look at the business in your department discover what problems and inefficiencies there are. Write these down and try to analyze them. Develop solutions to these problems. Once you have done that you need to approach your manager and say hello, what if I could show you a way to increase productivity and get better customer service (or whatever is appropriate); would you like to hear it? Present these ideas, listen to their concerns and objections. Refine your future suggestions to accomodate their concerns and objections.

Don't expect to succeed on the first try. They aren't used to getting advice from you, they have to warm up to the idea first. If you consistently present reasonable ideas you'll become more valued to them. I've found I usually have to present 5 ideas and suggestions which I think are good for every one that is implemented. When I first started out I must have presented 20 ideas before anyone even noticed me. DO NOT let this get you down, you just keep being patient and trying to get through with your best ideas and intentions.

If after a year or so, things don't seem to be getting better they could be ignoring you because of race or sex. Some people are still that way, so you'll need to move on and find an employer who cares more about making money than race or sex.

Answer 4

Don't be discouraged. There are many degree holders who worked under those who may only have a HS diploma. What is wrong with that?

Before I started my company in 1980, I was working for a multinational company, I was then the Export Manager with 6 degree holders (bachelor of arts) as my executives and a dozen other staff doing documentation and shipping jobs, etc. I do not hold a degree, but my execs do. Even my clerks have HS or poly diplomas. What is important is how you manage things - the right way at the right time.

Presently I also own a Student Care Centre. For your info, and please believe me, I have a bachelor of arts with me as well as a Masters of Science as my teachers. Why didn;t the MSc holder leave her post with my Centre? - Her management style tells the story.

Answer 5

YOu are only 23. You don't have a lot of experiance, which is why there are people with better jobs. An AA degree is worthless, any loser can get one at a community college.

Talk to HR AFTER you receive your BA. Tell them how much you want to apply your skills and that you would love to do it with them. The chances are that you will be promoted. Most management jobs require either a degree or proven experiance.

Good luck! Hang in there! YOu are just starting!

Answer 6

You're too young to be comparing yourself with your other colleagues. Studying and working are two different things. When you're studying, you're studying for yourself but when you're working, you are working for a company, for many many people so to speak. Having a degree just shows that you are good at studying but if you slought out your job for many years and you deliver good results, that will make you a more worthy employee than one who studies and studies. Put yourself in the shoes of your employer. I'm sure that you want employees who know how to solve a problem based on what they experienced as to what they learned in theory. There is a difference. Stick around and you will see examples within the next couple of years. Keep that resourceful mind of yours thinking positively ok? Give it your best and the rest will soon follow. Best of luck!

Answer 7

Either way if black thing is affecting your opportunities or not it is something that you can't change -- you must focus on things you can change or improve if you want to rise to the top. It is definitely not all hard work, much depends on luck, your interactions with others and their perception of you.

If I were you, I would be looking to change companies. That an easy way to give yourself a promotion/raise. That will also take you out of an organization that might not value you as much as those with lower educational achievements.