Do college degrees matter anymore?

[xfire]

College is about more than just graduating. It's the experience that really counts, the contacts you make, being exposed to people from diverse backgrounds, having professors that graduated from the best universities share their unique experiences, exposure to culture, arts, and who can forget sports. If you're not getting the whole experience you're short-changing yourself.

 

[Ari Dee]

I think it just depends on your field, and sometimes more importantly- your geographical area.

What qualifies someone for a job in one city, may not in another. So if two candidates for a job have the same level of experience, but one has a degree- perhaps it gives them a slight advantage on paper.

 

[Petra]

I've got a Criminal Justice degree. It's use as toilet paper is outstanding.

If I'd have to do it all over again, I'd go for a bachelors in business. It seems to be a pretty good all around degree.

 

[tiger1977]

Yes they matter. If they didn't, we would not have this thread to argue the point.

 

[Rey C.]

I think it just depends on your field, and sometimes more importantly- your geographical area.

What qualifies someone for a job in one city, may not in another. So if two candidates for a job have the same level of experience, but one has a degree- perhaps it gives them a slight advantage on paper.

To be fair, yeah, it does depend on the field. And there is such a thing as being seen as "over qualified" for certain jobs. My cousin has a PhD in literature or some such, and she actually had a tougher time, than I would have thought, when she decided to stop teaching and tried to find a job in private industry. Now she's a manager for a social services agency. How that PhD in lit helps her, I have no idea. She can write one helluva letter though.

I guess I'm speaking more in generalities. And generally speaking, it's better to have the options that a degree offers than not. But not having one certainly doesn't mean that one is doomed to failure. Industrious, sharp people tend to make it no matter what. And a goof with a degree is still going to be a goof. What's the old saying? "What do you have when you dress a monkey up in a silk suit?" He's still a monkey. A well dressed one, but still a monkey.

I've got a Criminal Justice degree. It's use as toilet paper is outstanding.

If I'd have to do it all over again, I'd go for a bachelors in business. It seems to be a pretty good all around degree.

See, and all this time, I thought that's how you got to be the High Sheriff of FreeOnes. Plus, I bet you can do some neat tricks with handcuffs. Come on, admit it!

 

[Petra]

See, and all this time, I thought that's how you got to be the High Sheriff of FreeOnes. Plus, I bet you can do some neat tricks with handcuffs. Come on, admit it!

Hah, not even.

I went on to work at a juvenile facility that didn't do mechanical restraints. When the kids got out of hand, we used physical restraints and only as much force was needed (sometimes that was a lot). But, because of the job I know how to physically restrain people AND how to get out of restraint holds. LOL

 

[Rey C.]

Hah, not even.

I went on to work at a juvenile facility that didn't do mechanical restraints. When the kids got out of hand, we used physical restraints and only as much force was needed (sometimes that was a lot). But, because of the job I know how to physically restrain people AND how to get out of restraint holds. LOL

So that's why Roald said he was skipping the FreeOnes Christmas party this year?!

 

[squallumz]

Hah, not even.

I went on to work at a juvenile facility that didn't do mechanical restraints. When the kids got out of hand, we used physical restraints and only as much force was needed (sometimes that was a lot). But, because of the job I know how to physically restrain people AND how to get out of restraint holds. LOL

did you guys have to take CIT training? thats an optional thing in my similar line of work.

 

[RichardNailder]

My degrees helped me get promoted while I was in the military but other then that, no on has ever asked to see any of them.

Now, the education I got while pursuing said degrees, it's priceless.

 

[Galactic]

Just as the title to this thread states, do they matter anymore? :dunno:

Nope.

 

[lurkingdirk]

Two people apply for the same job. They are equally qualified. One has a college degree, the other doesn't. Who do you think gets the job?

Yes, they matter. Getting a college degree isn't only about the degree, there is a lot of life learning that goes along with the years in college. And while they are not a job guarantee, they will certainly not hurt your chances of getting a job, and your degree will give you more opportunities.

 

[squallumz]

its also about the interview. degree or not.

thankfully, i kick ass at the interview. which gives me chances i may or may not have on paper.

 

[xfire]

You can always forgo listing all of your credentials when you apply for a job. You should always tailor your resume to best fit the job you're seeking. Degrees matter, but they don't guarantee anything.

 

[BadNewsBewes]

I'd say nowadays a company would prefer hands on experience at that job or similar. There's lots of people with degrees, so they are less valuable than they used to be. The prestige of a degree has been lowered by all the silly, worthless degrees you can get these days.

 

[Clayrabeau]

Here's the thing: The degree can't hurt your chances, but it can't be all you rely on. You need a degree to get the job, but you'll need networking usually to get the interview. My degree in art has led to some great day jobs, and my fiancee's Masters degree in English means he makes more money than I do, even as a porn performer. In the end, it's part of a package: Education, Experience, Networking. You need all three skills, so start leveling up!

 

[Supafly]

Here's the thing: The degree can't hurt your chances, but it can't be all you rely on. You need a degree to get the job, but you'll need networking usually to get the interview. My degree in art has led to some great day jobs, and my fiancee's Masters degree in English means he makes more money than I do, even as a porn performer. In the end, it's part of a package: Education, Experience, Networking. You need all three skills, so start leveling up!

I agree. Just these days there was an article in a german paper with some statistics - On the average, every additional year in school or university adds 5% more income on your later job.