Opinion Talk

By Sammi

May 6, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this

Absolutely. As a teacher in GA, my colleagues and I have been trying for years to appeal to the common sense the educrats who make the decisions. Only one path is offered to our students…..the college prep path. To get a high school diploma everyone must take and pass advanced math and science classes…you know, the ones that “back in the day” were only required of those students who wanted to go to college. Why???because EVERYONE should go to college!! The schools start drumming that mantra very early and never let up. Nevermind that many if not most jobs do not require college degrees. Most may require training, but not college. One day the educrats will have an epiphany and discover that if there were other paths offered to high school students, the DROP OUT RATE would not be outrageous.

By Dyonna

May 7, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this

It sure is overrated because I just got my college degree and I dont have the job I want in my field. I applied to jobs and these jobs ask for entry-level but once you get the interview they say that you dont have enough experience, but I just graduated college so of course I wont. I see these different ads on T.V. like Mackie Brown, Everest, and many others and these people only be in school for like 10 months or so and can get a job right when they get their certificate. I’m not knocking people for going to these schools, but I feel that I wasted money and a little time going to a 4-year college and my degree is not being used to further me and others to our careers.

By JR

May 7, 2008 1:46 AM | Link to this

These comments are some of the most ignorant and unsubstantiated comments I have ever heard! Whereas a college education is expensive, it is an investment in yourself! Next to a home purchase, investing in a college education is very much worthwhile. College might not be everyone, and to advocate that alternative paths should be explored might have some merit, but to insist that having a college degree is overrated is absolute nonsense.

By itsme

May 7, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this

Here’s another perspective. My husband is a 52-year-old software developer and college student. He began his career in the days when you could work your way up and learn on the job. Now you simply cannot get a job in his field, regardless of your experience or knowledge, without a degree. When he learned his company might close, he decided to go back to school. After countless hours and tens of thousands of dollars, he will get his diploma at the end of the year. However, he is quite disappointed that he actually has learned very little.

By College student

May 7, 2008 6:44 AM | Link to this

I would like to say that as a bright and ambitious Georgia high school graduate and Pennsylvania liberal arts college student, I may not be the type of student that to which this article refers. But the glaring inaccuracies, misconceptions, and bad judgement of this article have forced me to weigh in.

What we have to realize is that the level of training required for competitive technology based and industrial jobs is very, very high, and will only get higher. The goal of every student should not be to go to college, but to develop appropriate job and life related skills in a learning environment. The American high school is entirely inappropriate for this education. I learned almost nothing in high school, compared to my three years of college. I was unmotivated, undisciplined, and unprincipled. It wasn’t until I got to college that I realized the actual function of my education and took the burdens on myself to do something about it.

The idea of a standardized test given to all college students is just ridiculous. There is no point. The GHSGT was a joke when I took it, and entirely unnecessary. Private colleges have their own responsibilities and their rights to develop their own programs, and it is the students’ responsibilities to find a program that will teach them what they need to learn. The government should not regulate private colleges.

As far as my school and all the schools I know, the rest of the criteria are done voluntarily.

Finally, the list given of non-college graduates who succeeded is unbelievably misleading. Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard. David Ben-Gurion, along with Washington, was a military leader and not a professional. Many writers listed developed as such before the development of creative writing programs at schools, such as the famous University of Iowa’s. I find that listing people who succeeded by not going to college is misleading, because it does not reflect all of the very successful people who succeeded AND went to college.

By College Patrol

May 7, 2008 6:46 AM | Link to this

I am constantly being surprised by the knowledge base of many people I meet who are college graduates. If the 4-year college experience is not enough to educate you, take it higher, get a doctorate. Why should a 400 on the SAT stop you?

By Robert

May 7, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this

I think we need to broaden our perceptions of the term “college”. If your definition is limited to a 4 year program at a liberal arts or higher ed institution, then yes, it is not meant for everyone. However, if your definition includes Technical colleges, then No is the answer. Basically, research shows that 85% of the jobs in the future will require a 2 year Technical College degree. I challenge you to visit Gwinnett Technical College or others to actually see what is offerred and the high percentage of job placement of the graduates. These graduates make a salary that is very comfortable and they enjoy what they are doing. This is not to take away from a 4 year degree. I graduated from college and have a great job doing what I like best - educating children. I think we need to change the minds of parents who think that their children can only be successful if they graduate from a 4 year college. The vast number of jobs of the future will require a degree from a 2 year Technical College.

By ProfJables

May 7, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this

No, college is not overrated. But it should be more competitive. People, especially parents and the “I-didn’t-do-anything-with-my-life” counselors, need to realize that not every student is college material. I teach at a midsize Uni in the USG and I see students who don’t want to be there, but feel they had no option. One thing that could be done in GA is to strengthen the community college program, so that students who are unsure about their plans would have a place to go for a semester or two and figure out if higher education is right for them without racking up massive debt. The other thing that would make this situation a bit more realistic is to have students go get jobs. Some of them would be excited with the work they did and money (however little) they made. Others would see the value in a degree and strive to get one. The other thing people should remember is that college, at least a 4-year liberal arts college, is NOT about getting a job. It is about knowledge and discovery. I tell my freshman that if they are in college solely to get a degree and a job, they should drop out and go to a tech school. I’m not disparaging tech schools because they play a vital role in the economy and educational system. 4-year degrees are meant for people seeking well-rounded educations. If a student can’t parlay those things into work or an internship, I’d say the problem lies with the student. One of the first things my undergrad advisor told me was, “Network, meet everyone you can in every department, field, job, and office.” So I did. I made it a point to meet important people and work my way up the food chain. The real issue here seems to be that students, parents, and whiny counselors are lazy. They do not do the work involved in learning about college before they run off to get a degree and a job.

By zeke

May 7, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this

Totally over rated except for Doctors, engineers, etc.! All others are just paper saying you fell into the PC jungle!!

By GaGrad

May 7, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this

Obviously, the question does not allow for a “yes or no” answer unless it is prefaced with a few dozen assumptions, exceptions, etc. I think that one problem associated with higher education is our reward system. Why would anyone want to pursue a higher education unless they can see the monetary reward “light” at the end of the tunnel. There are far too many alternatives such as Hollywood, sports, starting the next new company, lottery, etc., that look far more attractive than four years in college followed by a $25k/yr job with no vacation or retirement benefits and a real possibility of job loss before job advancement. Our society needs serious change. We need to see CEOs and other executives brought back down to earth. We need to see a rewarding future somewhere other than in a scratch-off ticket. We need a payoff from something other than a spot on reality TV. This country needs a lot less greed to start with.

By Johnny Mac

May 7, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this

It was once said that “education is the one commodity where few want their money’s worth.” So many of us went to school just to get through or take only electives that would not hurt our GPA. I have a degree and a good job but I still feel that I squandered a great opportunity to learn by just trying to just get through. Standardized testing should go. Learning just to pass a test isn’t learning. Also, those who prefer tech school, better have your math skills developed. I see a day where we are importing electricians from India. Kids trying to go to tech school can’t get through because of math skills.

By Happy College Grad

May 7, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this

It depends on your major. Without my accounting degree, I would probably have had a harder time earning a living wage. However, college isn’t for everybody. Everyone needs training in something or they will be earning below their potential. There is nothing wrong with vocational technical training either. Education, college, or not is about CHOICES. I am grateful my dad talked college to me for years and I had the sense to listen. I have had the option to make choices and not be stuck in a dead end job just to make ends meet.

By rdhood

May 7, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this

A BA in Business Admin? overrated A BS in engineering? absolutely necessary.

I guess the REASON for your degree is also important. If it is to get a job and make money, one needs to examine and choose a major that leads to jobs and money. (hint:) Liberal arts degrees generally lead nowhere. They are valuable in academia and select few jobs outside of academia. It might make you feel good to get a job in Women’s studies or African-American studies, but it wont leave to good jobs.

By College Patrol

May 7, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this

Is a 2-year degree enough for a college-educated individual? Is this enough time to learn the many things one must know in order to be well-rounded? Aren’t two-year schools encouraged for those who counselors think might not survive in the 4-year ones? And once the two years are complete, why not continue on, for surely, the education is incomplete at this stage. Why should a person with two years’ worth of an education be compatible with another possessing 4 years’ worth, or even more?

Individuals at all levels need a proper way of discerning when the proper knowledge level has been reached. For surely, a student may have failed at the high school level, but should still be able to make up those missed opportunities with continued study. How else can we account for superintendents who make 400 on the SAT?

By Tony

May 7, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

Maybe the problem is that people pushed into going to college don’t have any clue what they want to do with their lives and only want to mess around and do nothing. The English have it right — they have a “gap year” that is mandatory. Everyone must take at least one year away from school after finishing their secondary education and either work or travel or what have you. That allows the kids to get that need to play taken care of in a lot of respects before settling down and going to university after that. It works fairly well for them — and it may be something worth thinking about for a lot of kids these days whose parents instead push them into going directly to college with no idea what they want in life.

By Charles

May 7, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this

In a sense maybe ANY degree these days is overrated. It seems like the bar has been lowered for students at all levels of education these days. This has been documented by many recent studies that say American students have fallen behind their counterparts from around the world. It’s no wonder that parents have gone to homeschooling these days. The government schools are failing our youth.

By David

May 7, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

The unemployment rate among people with a college degree is under 2% countrywide.

That is proof enough that it is a worthwhile endeavor.

By Jerry

May 7, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

The No child left behind program is a joke. The first question that should be asked is left behind what. Teachers are teaching to tests and not teaching kids to think.Kids are passed on with good grades and expect to go on to college to get a degree. Whoopee. College should be about learning to deal with adversity and to think through situations to develop a solution and not to regurgitate facts so that you can get a piece of paper that says you have graduated from college.If a student does not graduate from college, is that the fault of the college or students who come to class late or not at all. Colleges have gotten to be like bowl games-there are so many and they invite everybody that the experiences and the outcomes are essentially meaningless.

By GaLiberal

May 7, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

It was that a high school diploma would get you a good paying job with benefits if there was a union. Now that unions have been effectively neutered by Rethuglicon legislatures passing anti-union laws and union busting by big business, that’s no longer true. You must have a college degree (and the right degree) if you don’t want to be on food stamps or have to choice between eating and paying the gas/power/water/house/car payments. The problem that most people are there just to get a degree because mommy and daddy said they had to go to college. So they get some useless degree that pays so little they have to move back in with mommy and daddy just to make ends meet. Now with gas selling for $3.50+/gal and the economy tanking so badly (thanks to the reckless Iraq war and Bush’s tax cuts for the uberrich) they will probably never leave home. Also, many are just not college material and should be going to a votech school except the Rethuglicons dismantled these schools.

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And the lack of alternatives to college is living proof.

By RRR

May 7, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

I graduated from a business college three years ago and have been working since then. I can honestly say that I have not used any of the content I learned in college in my positions at work. The only material I have used at work that I learned from school/college are the technical skills, such as Microsoft software programs and business writing. However, I certainly don’t regret going to school. It was more of a personal accomplishment than a professional. I did face situations where I believed I was right for a position due to my academic background but the employer wanted experience. I do feel that people who have work experience outside of school have a much better future lined up for themselves than somebody with just a degree. But again, I would highly recommend going to college because it prepares you to work in companies through team projects, presentations, working with different kinds of people and time management. I will be going for my MBA soon. I’m not expecting anything after I get my degree but I know that it will be rewarding for me just to know that I was able to complete it.

By court_fanatic

May 7, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

I’d have to say that it’s not overrated. A few years ago I was laid off from a Fortune 500 company where I had worked my way up the ranks to a fairly good position. After being in the workforce for over 20 years at various companies, I had alot of varied experience. But I only have two years of college. Even with all of my experience, there were companies out there that wouldn’t even look at my resume because I didn’t have that piece of paper saying I had graduated from college. Ridiculous. Why hire a kid fresh out of college, with no experience, when you can have 20 years of experience and maturity? It’s just a piece of paper.

By bobfromcanton

May 7, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

Like so many things in life, there is not one answer for all people. It depends on the person, the school that they go to and the degree they pursue. Some things are definite. A basket-weaving degree will get you nothing, but a degree that actually leads to a career like a Chemist will get you a good paying job after college. The name of the school may help, but not if the degree is not leading toward something in the job market.

By CopyRight

May 7, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

I am 47 and in the computer field, I am going back to finish my degree because I am tired of watching kids with no experience get a better job than me. The only reason to get a degree is to get in the door, I can guarantee that after 20 years in the field that I can do a better job that a kid with no experience but has a degree. So I am getting mine, better late than never.

By JC

May 7, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

I don’t know that I could say that a degree is “overrated”, because as long as the people with degrees are running the companies, then a degree holds value. In most instances, a degree is nothing more than a “sorting process” where company management looks at the degree holder as someone who “follows through on commitments” and will prioritize their lives to fulfill responsibilities towards an end result. In some people’s eyes, either you did, or you didn’t. Nothing more, and nothing less.

I agree with some of the previous posters that some degrees (Liberal Arts) aren’t worth much more than the paper they’re printed on as far as applicable value in the workplace is concerned. “Professional” degrees (Medicine, Engineering, Law, etc.) hold more value because that knowledge can be directly applied for specific interests (profitable business interests) in our society. However, as taxing as it is to earn a degree, like everything else, you can only maximize that asset if you apply it. I respect individuals who have earned their degrees, as it generally says something about their commitments and vision. However, there are a fair number of “educated idiots” in our society who are simply clueless in their jobs because they were awarded those jobs only because they had a degree. I work with both degreed and non-degreed people daily and can tell you that the most successful people are not the ones who simply rely on their degree to support them, but those who have gumption, are flexible with their time, and possess a continual quest for knowledge. Learning doesn’t stop with the diploma in hand. It’s just a “tool”. Now, use it!

By the way, I never finished my degree, and I regret it, but only for personal reasons and satisfaction. My advice to my kids is the old line “It’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!”

By shell

May 7, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Those knocking liberal arts degrees, here’s a little secret for those who want to work in high level corporate positions. It’s doesn’t matter where you get your college degree or what you majored in, as long as you get one. For someone who worked for corporate 500 companies, you will be surprise how many poli sci, english, and art history managers are your bosses. Getting a college degree is only the first step, you must have drive and ambition.

By Richard

May 7, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Gee You tell me? I have an Economics degree from UCONN and Computer Science degree from Tech. I make $175,000/yr. as an exec for a software company. My brother has a high school diploma and is a school bus dispatcher and makes 35K/yr.

If you are going to be lazy and want an easy Liberal Arts degree like Communications, English or Philosophy, then your better off learning a trade, paint houses or be a plumber. If you are actually motivated to study in school and get a professional degree that prepares you for a career then of course it is worth it.

By College Patrol

May 7, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Let us be careful of other people’s feelings and opinions. Many successful people have LA degrees and aren’t lazy by any stretch of the imagination. I can see that you have an emotional connection to your brother’s choice of degrees and vocation. He probably borrows from you frequently. I’m so sorry about that, but what is family for?

By The Truth

May 7, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Let’s see. As my wife puts it. D’s get degrees. I’ve worked with so many people over the past couple years. A lot of them are NOT intelligent. It all comes down to the individual and how that individual works to get where he/she wants to go. I have friends who’ve finished at great schools but lack common sense to figure out how not to get in debt.

By The Truth

May 7, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

Richard, Why would you go out of your way to tell everyone how much you make? Knocking someone for getting a certain degree makes you look like a fool.

By Chatman

May 7, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

I feel that degrees are useful for some, but are becoming more and more “water-ed down” by prospective employers. For instance, my place of employment offers under $30,000/year for a job position requiring excellent people skills, 2 years of management experience, AND no less than a Bachelor’s degree!!! It’s a hard job that you wouldn’t(or shouldn’t)throw a college grad directly into simply because he/she has all the “book knowledge” in the world! I have seen many who can’t accomplished what a seasoned pro can complete in the same amount of time - making the same or less! Just a shame we place more emphasis on the amount of schooling one has, as compared to the quality and quantity of work that one produces!

By Jennifer

May 7, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

I agree with College Patrol. Richard, take it easy. People who have LA degrees had the ambition and motivation to go to college and complete their degree plan. No matter what it was. I am completing my degree now in Marketing Management b/c I want to get into the Marketing field. That doesn’t make me lazy. Not everyone wants to work in the computer field so an econ or comp sci degree isn’t necessary for them. That doesn’t make them lazy or unmotivated.

All I’m saying is….be nice and be fair b/c those who look down need to look inside b/c there’s always someone out there doing better.

By Jennifer

May 7, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

I also agree with Chatman. I’ve worked for 2 companies where as I have been in school completing my degree to move to another department, has brought in staff who are all sitting on bachelors degrees making the same amount or a little more than I am with my Associates and still in school.

I have also seen a co-worker who was making $2500 LESS than me doing the same position with just about the same experience and she has her bachelors and is in school for her masters. So there’s no rhyme or reason to having your degree vs. not. It truly depends on the company, department, management and the individual. If your personality sells then you’re going to get ahead even with educational short comings. I have two best friends, both do accounting work. One is very confident in herself and acts as such. She didn’t complete any degree and only completed training so that she can teach quick books. Before she went on maternity leave she was an accounting manager making $55k. She had about 10 years of exp.

The other best friend also didn’t complete college and has no additional training. She has been laid off twice and has never made over $37k doing accounting. She also has about 10 yrs exp, but has never been a confident or sell yourself type of person.

By The Truth

May 7, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

GaLiberal, What the hell does George Bush have to do with degrees? Go take your uneducated arse over to dailykos.

By Willie

May 7, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

GALIBERAL! I should say communist. You guys are in charge of the colleges! It is more important to be PC than straight forward. Education in the sciences is secondary to education in political affiliation. The agendas of college does not match that of the employers. Using science to attempt to prove a political agenda does not educate Johnny in math. Well maybe deminsional analysis! I rather work with a AA graduate than any of you bloggers here. YOU do not want to work but only to have a position. And college graduates will hire college graduates just because of the degree and not because of the actual experience and the knowlege required to do the job. OH galiberal how about affirmative action? Now thats a great way to get a qualified person is it? You spend to much time over the water cooler talking about how much you hate Bush and how the Earth is doomed. Well, I have to go now because my shift starts soon. I should have gotten a degree. I could be standing over the water cooler with you telling you the Earth is not enough. We must explore out there(pointing to the sky).

By The Truth

May 7, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Some of the smartest most successful people who ever lived never held a degree in anything. Degrees don’t equal money either. Being smart and investing well does. If people would save more money and not spend it on flatscreens, SUV’s, and MacMansions then you’d be better off. For some reason, people think that they have to live like their parents do as soon as they get out of school. College can not teach common sense.

By College Patrol

May 7, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Okay, calm down everyone. Actually, the ability to hold a civilized conversation should be a sign of the learned.

By Jennifer

May 7, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

Well said College Patrol. My sentiments exactly.

People can or should be able to debate their points without lowering the conversation to name calling, insults and the like.

Education doesn’t equal class or maturity. Anyone can get a piece of paper. Not everyone can distingush themselves as mature. That’s the true test in life.

By No Dawgs Here

May 7, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

A college degree is nothing more than a piece of paper that said “yeah I went to school”. I did not go to college, yet my work performance and work ethics are better than 99% of the people out there. In fact, I supervise a whole group of college grads. Yes, me, the non college grad is in charge of the college grads. It’s a person’s ability and desire that makes then good in the corporate world, not a piece of paper. Shame on those that think different.

By gttim

May 7, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

I would hate to try and make it without a college degree. In my 30’s I returned to school to get a math degree. Best decision I ever made. My life changed dramatically for the better! Do I use everything I studied? No. I do use the skills I acquired of thinking, working out solutions, and time management. Plus, without a degree, my company would not have even interviewed me.

I think students need to choose their majors wisely. An accounting degree is much better in the workplace than a finance degree. Nursing is better than most similar types of degrees. You should choose a degree with a set of skills that will insure your employment.

Sure some people can make a good living without a college degree, but it gets more difficult every year. Some degree, even if from a local community college, is better than no degree. You can shop colleges, and get good degrees for less money.

By Bhorsoft

May 7, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Oh, where do I start? First, I do have multiple college degrees. When I first went to college, only a small portion of folks went. Now days, everyone is encouraged to go. It almost seems as if a college diploma is the new high school diploma. A lot of jobs, like administrative assistants and law enforcement officers, now require a college degree when formerly a high school degree would do.

The problem is even worse in Georgia with HOPE. There is a fair amount of grade inflation in High Schools so the kids can get HOPE when they go to college. Once in college, there is a certain amount of grade inflation so the colleges can stay on the HOPE gravy train. Back in the day, we had freshman “weed out” classes. Those evidently don’t exist anymore. I do blame the colleges for this - they have become much more of a business than they used to be. I think the pendulum needs to swing back toward education instead of business.

Oh, and there is much more to college than book and classroom learning. Time management, interpersonal relationships, team and presentation skills, and personal introspection are some of the intangibles I learned in college and I’m better for it.

By College Patrol

May 7, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

You are all wonderfully passionate people who obviously care about youth and their place in this world, or you would not be involved in this discussion. I encourage each of you to put that energy into helping today’s young people to understand the value of all education. Much of today’s subject matter is based on philosophy and the logic skills it gave to humanity. No college major is an island, they all stand united, and all are based on the liberal arts, in whole or in part. Good luck all of you. Find a place in your heart for the ill-informed.

By lanerone

May 7, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

The state needs to cut back on the number of students allowed to study areas that are not in good demand, mainly sociology, psychology, philospphy, communications, english, history, and political science. We need graduates with skills. Guess what? All the knowledge in the world about “global warming” won’t even get you an interview with my company. These colleges are loading down the students with PC brainwashing classes on the environment and gender roles instead of teaching them skills that business can use.

I’ve been shocked to find that you can often make more than most college grads as a HVAC repairman or a plumber or electrician if you have a good license.

The costs of tuition keeps rising to the point it is a joke. Every time I go to a college camups all I see are expensive new buildings. There’s no economic reality to the system at all.

By Atl Peach

May 7, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Here’s one for u and only very few close people 2 me know this. Bcuz of circumstances and situations i was put in as a child, i dont have a highschool diploma, a ged, let alone a college degree but I do make $68,000 a year! I’ve been with my company for 13yrs as a communications technician and just did the on the job training classes and certifications. I wish I had the opportunity 2 experience college life but hey, I make more than ALL of my friends with degrees except for one but she has a masters.

By I don't need your stinkin' degree

May 7, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

I’ve been in the IT field for almost 30 years now and I do not have any college degree, which also meant that I never had a bunch of student loans to pay off. My house and vehicles are completely paid for and I have a good nest egg saved. I recently had to change companies and encountered a virtual wall where the first requirement was that a degree was necessary. I can’t count how many people I’ve worked with that just graduated from college and they are dumb as stumps. After 6 months I landed a job with another fortune 50 company and am doing very well for myself. A college degree is vastly overrated and in most cases the student is not getting their monies worth when you consider that there will be years of loan payback and the resulting jobs do not always command high salaries.

By FSUFAN

May 7, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

From this small town farm boy that dropped out of high school, got his GED and worked his way to a Computer Science/Mathematics degree as a carpenter for 8 yrs…, debtless.

No! A college degree is NOT overrated!!

By stu

May 7, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

The problem is that we have somehow created the idea that everyone is entitled to a college degree. Universities contribute to the problem by admitting students that have no chance of ever graduating but still gladly take their money. Professors are forced to deal with these students - for lest we forget student evaluations are an important part of tenure and angry students are angry students, regardless of their GPA. We end up with a devalued degree - the BA is the new high school diploma. THEN, we must mention lazy student who are taught by their high school teachers that all grades are negotiable and that the college professor is an employee of the student, subject to their whim. Please. Not everyone is college material. Sorry.

By jean

May 7, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

College! $15,000 worth of debt I have to try to pay off while making $10 an hour! Go college!!!

By mrk

May 7, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

CERTAIN DEGREE PROGRAMS ARE OVERRATED!

A degree in basket weaving is probably not the ideal college path to take. It’s these “I Showed up for Class” degrees that are overated. You leave with debt, and you can not get a job that you wouldn’t have got with out that degree to begin with.

By Mike

May 7, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

I have believed for 30 years that a college education was overrated. For the next 30 years, however, a college education is CRITICAL if you plan to compete in the international economy.

John Edwards said a lot of stupid things over the years, but there was one thing he was accidentally right about. There is “two Americas”. One educated and moving up. One without education and moving down — fast.

By SCbirdflyte

May 7, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

“Is a college degree overrated?” It depends. I worked my way through college, didn’t buy things unless I had the money to pay for them, worked successfully in a field other than the one I got my degree in, invested consistently. My wife did the same. Now we can choose what we want to do with the rest of our lives (I’m 58, she’s 55). No college degree will help you if you don’t have some idea of how to live your life.

By Mike

May 7, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

There needs to be some flexibility so that not everyone is required to go through the same path - regardless of their intentions after high school. However, the worth of your college degree would be based upon the your major. I have worked for many companies large and small with different requirements. However, accounting and finance degrees are always required for functions above clerical. I have never been without a job for long with my degree in accounting.

By steve

May 7, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

As a manager who has hired both college grads & non-college grads (IT field), I have seen some sharp apples from both backgrounds. While a college degree is mandatory for many positions today, I view it only as an accomplishment a person has made when reviewing their overall credentials. It indicates they took on a challenge and completed it. I generally place it in the plus (+) column for a person unless there actions in an interview clearly indicate they haven’t learned much there (e.g. poor grammar and a sloppy resume). I don’t recall ever hiring someone simply because they had a degree, or even that being the tipping of the scale between candidates. I’ve employed college grads and non-college grads that are super people. I’ve also hired some that I wondered ‘What was I thinking’ when I hired them.
My preferences are: 1) Show me a genuine spark of intelligence behind that face. 2) A team player (ability to work well with others). 3) A desire and the ability to complete an assignment. 4) A solid character. 5) Someone who can take a bad situation and work with others (customers or internal personnel) to make it right and keep their confidence in your business.

By One

May 7, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

Is college overrated? You should ask one of the most prominent high school graduates in Georgia - Karen Handel. As Secretary of State, she oversees the licensing of thousands of college educated professionals and heads a staff that includes MBAs, accountants, attorneys, etc. What a joke!

By GT Student

May 7, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

Do I think a college degree is necessary? In engineering, absolutely. In order to get licesnsed in Civil you must have your degree. Infact, if you graduate at SPSU, you have to have 7 years experience before you can apply for your liscense, while out of tech it is only 4. I have learned this from Techs Co Operative education program where I have been working internships with engineering companies.

About the HOPE scholarship, at tech there are still “weed out” classes and I have alot of friends who lost their Hope after the first year. Personally, I was fortunate to attend a well respected private school in Atlanta and I saw things that I dont understand. First off I had friends who went to Vandy to study engineering instead of Georgia Tech. 40,000 a year at vandy, or about less than 12 at georgia tech with instate tuition and HOPE…

Personally as mentioned in the article about finanzes and about debt. It is fully possible to leave college without much debt by means of hard work, internships and scholarships. But you have to have to have the drive to complete these objectives… For example, in my internship, I made plently of money to pay my expenses of housing and food… I decided to save the rest because my goal is to have as little debt as possible when I exit college.

Yes I fully agree that job oppurtunities are about the person and not the piece of paper. Personally grades mean alot to me… at least at tech… If you have good grades, It means you have work ethic, time management skills, and ambition… Dīs make degrees but they also show your character some times…

(end of rant)

By dc

May 7, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this

A College Degree is way overrated, just take a look at Bill Gates. I look at the first years of college as an adult daycare center for parents to shovel their kids off to until they are married. If you have common sence & the desire to learn as you go you can do anything. Think about all the unnecessary classes that you take for something that has nothing to do with your field of study. A college degree is no more than a piece of paper, and a waste of money, and today, every school claims to give degrees, they really are worthless. I would take common sense over a degree anyday. You cannot learn hands-on in a classroom with mock setups, every situation is different. The schools want you to think they matter, to get your money, but to alot of folks it is a waste, and more so as the prices rise.

By hike108

May 7, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

Well, the problem is that blue-collar jobs are gone. Kids now go to college b/c they don’t see any other way to get a job. Of course, when they get out, they discover that the degree means nothing w/o experience. Technical schools are worse; they mislead students into thinking there are tons of openings for these professions. It boils down to who you know, not what you know. My sons are 27 and can’t afford to marry or buy a house. Imagine someone from a poverty background; what chance do they have?

By EducatedInGa

May 7, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

If we only gave degrees to those who earned them, this question wouldn’t even be here. We have so many “college graduates” that cannot spell simple words (that I learned in the third grade), use the correct word in a sentence, or read and follow basic written instructions. Give me a break.

Score one for social promotion!

By HelluvaEngineer

May 7, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

The answer is nontrivial and depends on a number of factors, principally (a) the field and (b) the school.

With respect to the field, a degree is anything but overrated for areas requiring high value-added like medicine, law, engineering, mathematics, the sciences, economics, and a few others. If one wants to study anything as menial and arbitrary like history, business, psychology, among others (they may be “interesting” but do not contribue much to innovation), then why go to school in the first place?

(b) institution matters substantially. When an organization receives a high number of applications, some signal is needed. All else equal, the probability that a person graduating from MIT possesses higher skills than the person from Utah State; or the Georgia Tech grad is clearly more valuable than the UGA grad; or the Cal grad is more skilled than the Tennessee grad. Of course there are exceptions, but the signal is quite strong.

The U.S. is falling rapidly behind in the global intellectual pool. This is freightening to observe given the hunger for educational advancement in even devloping nations.

By Ripdog

May 7, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

I don’t think a college degree is overrated. I do think it’s too many colleges that cottle students and inflate grades. That results in a bad product in the workplace. Students coming out of school today have no critical thinking skills, lack computer literacy, and are lazy. I have come to respect schools like Georgia Tech that create a tough environment for students because it replicates the corporate environment.

By Fat Tony

May 7, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this

Based on my experience the “College Question” is dependent on your field of choice, skills, ability, and discipline. Some fields are simply so competitive that you will not pass resume review without a degree from a reputable college. However, I do not believe is it required to be successful long-term. Although it certainly doesn’t hurt if you’ve gone through the trouble.

About 10-years ago I transitioned from being a police officer in south-metro to the IT field with only about 50 credits of technical college under my belt. I gave up many of my off-hour pleasures, especially TV, and focused on building my skills. I worked long and hard hours to meet every objective of my employers. I built personal capital as a skilled, talented, and dedicated employee who always got the job done well and on-time. That capital helped me move up the food chain, which resulted in even longer and harder work that I was happy to have the opportunity to do.

A diamond is made from the right raw materials, pressure, and time. A successful career is much the same. After a decade, still with only 50-credit hours, I am now a successful IT Director in a technology services company with 14 direct reports and a 2-million dollar budget. My salary and other comp is not too shabby either. I can assure you, it didn’t happen by accident. In this country, you make your own success, degree notwithstanding.

On another track, the entrepreneur route exists for non-degree holders who feel that they have hit a ceiling or simply can’t get in the door. Don’t expect it to be easy though. If you think your boss is hard to work for, wait until you have customers.

So, the moral of my story is that anyone can be successful, with or without a degree. It takes discipline and dedication. It also takes what I call the three point of success:

• Do you love what you do?
• Are you among the best or at lease good at what you do?
• Does doing what you do pay the bills or otherwise meet your compensation needs AND will that grow proportionally as your needs grow?

If yes, yes, and yes you are probably doing OK. If any are “no”, then not only will a degree not help, but you need to reassess what you do in general.

Hope this helps…

By Thirdwheel

May 7, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

I am 28 years old and I currently attending a private college now to get my degree. Ever since I started Kindergarten all I have heard is you have to go to college you have to go. Then comes my Senior year of high school and I decided that I am too stressed out and burned out to even think about college. So I tell myself I will take a year off and just work. Well 4 years later I start my “career” in Corporate America. All I heard was you will be nothing without a degree. You can’t move up here in a degree. If you want to get married and marry someone of quality they will want you to have a degree. Then I got nervous… I ended up qutting that job and going to another job. This was job was truly a dead end job. Some people have been at this place for 20 years or more and I come walking in making 2 times more than them. (I know this because the boss told me) I took one look at these people and saw how sad and crazy they looked and I decided ok I am ready for college. There is no way I wanted to be 50 years old making 12 bucks an hour. I ended up leaving that job and going to another. This job actually promotes people who just have High School diapolmas and frown on people who have college degrees. It makes me mad because I am working my butt off to finish my degree in three years and these people just kiss butt and move their way up. I am hoping with my degree in Education I can move up into a real position and be able to make a difference in the world. So the answer to the question is no a College Degree is not overated.

By Fat Tony

May 7, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

Richard is absolutely on target for careers that require a degree (see my earlier post). If you get a lib arts degree just to say you have a degree, then don’t be surprised if you are working retail at the mall. I have several friends who make half my comp and have lib arts degrees. They have none of the specialty or technical skills that are in demand and are unwilling to obtain them. They failed to observe by three point of success (see earlier post).

If you desire big $$ in less time, be among the best in your HS class, be among the best in a top-rated school (or two), and work your tail off when you get a job.

So, if you work your tail off getting educated, getting a job, and working you way up the food chain; then you too can be among the “Fortunate”.

By Enough

May 8, 2008 3:04 AM | Link to this

College degrees are in no way overrated. Just depends on what you major in and how much research and effort you put into what you desire to do. Trust me, you on average will make twice as much as those without. Also, the type of work will lean more towards cognitive thinking as opposed to physical work. College while it your current work may not require the skills learned in college, it gives you the background to use cognitive thinking skillsets that can be applied to various situations.

By lovelyliz

May 8, 2008 7:01 AM | Link to this

A bachelor’s degree is the new equivalent of the high school diploma. There are a lot of jobs out there that have this educational requirement even though many of the jobs could be done by stepped one foot onto a college campus.

But when so many job descriptions says College Degree Required what are school systems supposed to say? Even if the only application to the job is that piece of paper, you have to get it.

By Buzzer

May 8, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this

Hey GALIBERAL you are showing your true uneducated self. A BIG chip on your shoulder. You must be hunched over with all that bias. First of all College / education is NEVER a waste of time. If you dont want to learn then so be it. Dont comnplain if you are in a dead end job - second; college helps with life; if you took stupid electives then so be it, I took economics, finance etc., classes that help me today to understand what is going on, it helps me save and to calculate my retirement etc. No wasted classes there. Some take the ridiculous classes as they do not want to take a “hard” class. But that is life; life is hard and if you fail to keep up then you fail. deal with it. Oh and college is FREE, if you really want it, you have HOPE, Tuition aid from most companies, Mcdonalds, Chick Fil etc. all help their employees. I went to school at night and earned my degree through my company. Sure it was tough to work 40 hours and go to school. But that is why I now earn a better salary, am more confident, and know how to hold a converstaion. Try it some time. If you dont like it leave and go to Russia etc. and let the government there take care of you.

By John Q. Public

May 8, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

Wow. I never thought that an opportunity to discuss the degree would ever come to pass. I graduated from an Ivy League school in 1980. I HAVE NEVER HELD A POSITION IN MY CHOSEN FIELD OF STUDY. EVER! However, I incurred debt totaling $80K. I had to join the military to obtain loan forgiveness, I would never be able to pay that back do to the job market. I’m working for a major corporation now making about $60K now, better than a few buddies who are truck drivers, construction guys, and other not so stellar career paths. Not being cynical, but unless I went to UGA or GA Tech, hell, even West GA, I can forget about a job here in Atlanta that pays in the elusive $100K range. My wife came from a school in CA, she’s a secretary. It’s crazy. I actually got this job by NOT mentioning my degree. AS ALL THE OTHER POSITIONS I APPLIED FOR. Even crazier, the Sr. VP’s and other executives, either have not graduated, or just attended. WHAT’S THE POINT? I could have went to law school straight from high school, but I went to a Pre-Law major, that no more prepared me for law school than just attending college. LOL!!! I’m wondering why did I waste my time and money doing that. I don’t regret my time as I met some very cool people and friends in my journey. But what was the payoff???

By Educated Bioengineer

May 8, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

I have a B.S. in Bioengineering and a concentration in Biomechanics from a Pennsylvania university. I am on the fence about whether the degree is overrated.

I pay $1000 a month in loans, but I still have enough money left over to take care of myself and pay for gas :-). In the job I am in now (my first job ever!) the position required a bioengineering degree, but one of my coworkers who is filling the same position as I, does not have the “required” bioengineering degree. He just knew the CEO. So I think in a lot of cases, it is about who you know and your charm and your wit of course.

But I would not trade my college experience for anything in the world. I feel I am more refined, knowledgable, and worth every cent I spent to get my degree.

Yes, I love my coworker to death, however, my experiences make me a promotable commodity, he probably would never be able to move up in the ranks unless he went to school to get his bachelors.

By Educated Bioengineer

May 8, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

I have a B.S. in Bioengineering and a concentration in Biomechanics from a Pennsylvania university. I am on the fence about whether the degree is overrated.

I pay $1000 a month in loans, but I still have enough money left over to take care of myself and pay for gas :-). In the job I am in now (my first job ever!) the position required a bioengineering degree, but one of my coworkers who is filling the same position as I, does not have the “required” bioengineering degree. He just knew the CEO. So I think in a lot of cases, it is about who you know and your charm and your wit of course.

But I would not trade my college experience for anything in the world. I feel I am more refined, knowledgable, and worth every cent I spent to get my degree.

Yes, I love my coworker to death, however, my experiences make me a promotable commodity, he probably would never be able to move up in the ranks unless he went to school to get his bachelors.

By John

May 8, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

In general I would say that college degrees are overrated..this comes from someone with two of them. The first was in zoology, the second in Information systems..guess which field I ended up working in? In my father’s day (in the 1950s), you just needed a college degree and you were set..that’s not true anymore. Most technical, medical, and exective-track fields will require at least a Bachelor’s degree, but there are plenty of great lucrative careers that can be had by attending a trade school.

By Let me tell ya

May 8, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

Degrees are overrated. I’m one of the highest paid in my department (albeit a very small group) yet without a degree. A co-worker of mine constantly (and loudly) reminds us all how invaluable she is that she’s master degreed. Needless to say I thought it was my duty to point out the obvious. I posed the question to her, ever wonder how you’re the one or two master degreed persons but you sit and work amongst mostly non-degreeds (made that up)? Look around you, do the math. We’re both coming in at about 50,000 (give or take a few pennies) a year. This I know because of that mouth of hers and the constant brag of how far out in front of everyone else she’s running. One thing we know for certain college didn’t teach is class and discretion. Shut up already!

By A degree doesn't make you smart

May 8, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

A college degree is pointless, in many cases. Pretty soon, a bachelors will be worthless, as Masters and beyond are sometimes needed to really reach the upper echelons. The world needs machanics, gardeners, school bus drivers, truck drivers, etc. These are perfectly fine, and in many cases, very successful careers that benefit society.

Obviously, some people and positions need degrees. But tell me why an executive assistant would need a bachelors degree? I saw that ad recently.

I’ve been busting my butt for YEARS trying to finish up my bachelors (I have 2 associates, and have switched degree programs and schools way too many times), and I am getting closer to completion. My mommy and daddy didn’t pay for my school, and I refuse to take loans (and in this economy, I think I was right).

Of course, to each their own. If my parents had paid for my schooling, my outlook would be different. If my financials were different, my outlook would change. 10 years ago, I graduated high school with a 4.1 GPA (honors classes), played sports, volunteered, did ok on the SATs, and never got in trouble. When I applied for scholarships and financial aid, I was told by a few universities that I did not qualify for the “full amount” of financial aid due to my parents income. The problem was, they didn’t pay a dime for me. I was also told, albeit not formally by the FA office, that I was too white to receive financial aid. I completed an AA at a CC, then went to the military. Now, I get a VA that screws up my payment for GI Bill every month.

By KC

May 8, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

If you go to college, you’ll gain knowledge and skills that you’ll use for the rest of your life, no matter what career you choose. College will enable you to:

Expand your knowledge and skills. Increase your critical thinking skills Grasp abstract concepts and theories. Increase your understanding of the world and your community.

What This Means for You These benefits may sound great on their own, but college also has some very practical benefits:

More Job Opportunities: The world is changing rapidly. More and more jobs require education beyond high school. You simply need to view the Sunday job ads to see that most high paying jobs require a college degree. College graduates have more jobs to choose from than those who don’t pursue education beyond high school. In today’s world we change jobs and sometimes careers every seven years. A degree helps make those transitions easier. Try being a barber, getting bored by it, then wish to change careers to an HR manager or a market researcher with just a high school education or a GED. Not likely to happen.

Earn More Money: A person who goes to college usually earns more than a person who doesn’t. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, on average, someone with a bachelor’s degree earns $50,900—that’s 62 percent more than the $31,500 earned annually by someone with only a high school diploma.

By Jason

May 8, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

I would never say a college degree is overrated but it depends on the individual and what they’re trying to accomplish. I went to college and learned about business and accounting. I left college before I graduated because I was offered a position as an accountant and I needed to start earning a living and didn’t want to put myself more in debt than I already was. If you learn the fundamentals of accounting in college the rest is easy to learn in a “real world” environment. I’ve been an accountant now for nine years and have never regretted the decision to leave college early. But I certainly would never discourage anyone from completing their degree.

By chris

May 8, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

If the only factors you use are economic then a college degree may be overrated. But there are other reasons for wanting more education. A college degree can be a real confidence booster. Some people just want to know more. If economics is the only reason then there are many jobs in which you don’t need even a high school education. Why waste four years of high school torture if you don’t need it? I have a baccalaureate and master’s degree although neither are required for my job. They do nothing to increase my income yet I would not trade them for anything. I have the personal satisfaction of knowing I am doing my best.

By Avery

May 8, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

I have no idea why everyone is complaining about student loans; if a student has at least a mediocre high school career, their tuition is paid for by Georgia’s collective gambling habit.

Whether you learn anything in college or not, it is a signaling mechanism to employers. You are essentially saying “I care about improving my skills”.

On that note, Robert is dead-on when he claims that there has been a deemphasis in technical education. Tech schools allow people who want to learn a trade signal as well.

As for whether it is “overrated” or not, our experiences with the GI Bill in the 1950s pretty much answer that question. The government spent about ~$15 billion paying for the education of massive amounts of people in the Post-WWII era; this created trillions of dollars in economic growth.

By notyouraveragejoe

May 8, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

College degrees are mostly good for 2 things: to prove that you can focus for four years, and to impress the hiring manager and his company who had to endure the same focus. Many good jobs can be learned on the job, and many college grads are still incompetent.

By lovelyliz

May 8, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

I’ve knoown more people turned down for positions or promotions, even those they were more than capable of doing becuase they didn’t have the required college degree or any degree for that matter.

By higher ed critic

May 8, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

The problem is not that college is overrated, the problem is that it’s way overpriced. The price of a college education has increased faster the the cost of living steadily for the past two decades and the leaders in higher education have failed to addres this problem. It has now come to the point at which a rational person has to make a financial calculation as to whether attending college will be of value in the long run.

By Rhonda K

May 8, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

No! However, a 4 year college isn’t for everyone. A young relative of mine is worried about telling his mom he doesn’t want to go to a 4 year college. He wants to go to a tech school, and be a mechanic. If he is talked into going into a 4 year college, if lucky, he may go thru 1 year before quitting.

In my field, Accounting, without a degree the opportunities are very limited. Even in the small company I work for, no degree, no Accounting job.

By Wolf

May 8, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

The problem is with people who keep saying some degrees are better than others. That’s silly. It’s all about who you know and your documented acquired skills (like through internships, etc.). Many idiots go through college, party three nights a week, maybe work a part-time restaurant job (not that there is anything wrong with that, but a huge firm in Atlanta isn’t going to be impressed that you prepared salads at Applebee’s), show up for class most of the time, “earn” a 2.0 which makes one eligible to graduate at many institutes of “higher” learning, and expect that they are ready for a career. Insert buzzer noise here. That’s why professors and advisors nag you about getting an internship. They’re so easy to get. Even if they are unpaid, the experience you gain will pay off in the long run when you’re conducting real job interviews. And don’t try to pull the “I-worked-my-way-through-college-and-didn’t-have-time-for-an-unpaid-internship” card. Bull. During college I worked 2 part-time jobs at the same time I held an internship for over a year, all while taking a full course load. And yes, I graduated in 4 years. Imagine that! It’s all about time management. People just aren’t willing to put in the work before they graduate, then they wonder why no one wants to hire them.

On a related topic, no one is going to be impressed with a job candidate fresh out of school that TOOK 6 CONSECUTIVE YEARS TO GRADUATE! That’s not setting a goal and completing it; that’s dragging your feet and not wanting to grow up. Most of the time the reason people accrue debt without even finishing a degree is that they take too long. At my university, the 4-year graduation rate sits at 11%. Make that 5 years and it only increases to 23%. There’s no exponential growth after that, folks. And it’s not because the school is trying to make you stay longer or trying to make you drop/flunk out; it’s because of lazy, unmotivated children, most of which do not want to be there in the first place. They don’t need “freshmen weed-out” courses anymore because many of the students flunk out of EASY COURSES that they were too hung over to attend on a weekly basis.

Side note: It doesn’t matter if you have a degree or not if your grammar skills are not up to par! An equal amount of college-educated and non-college educated bloggers here are repeatedly using the wrong words and misspelling constantly! How about everyone go back to second grade and then come back and tell us how you feel!

By Danielle

May 8, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

After being out of school for four years, I finally came to the realization that my degree is worthless. Many people without a degree make more money than I do and these days companies want you to have a Master’s degree or higher plus a million years experience. I can obtain the Master’s degree but unfortunately cannot obtain the experience unless someone hires me. Most of the time it’s not about what you know but about who you know.

By Noelle

May 8, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

No, college and a college degree aren’t overrated, but that doesn’t mean every college is the same, or that every student should go to college. College is an investment and must be managed well, just like any other investment.

If you choose to go to an overpriced school you can’t afford and end up in tens of thousands of dollars in debt — especially with no degree — then that’s your mistake. If you choose a respectable college (none of these for-profit places) that you can afford (public schools are just fine) and work hard to finish in the least time possible, you’ll likely be fine.

If what you want to do doesn’t require a college degree, though, don’t waste the time or money, no matter what anyone tells you. Get the type of training you need for your chosen field.

None of this is to say that you can’t succeed without a degree, even in fields that usually require them. You just have to work hard to prove yourself. I finally completed my degree last year, 22 years after I started and after 15 successful years as a writer and editor in publishing. I finished it partly for my own satisfaction and partly so I can pursue specialized graduate education, not because I needed to do it to succeed. I was making over $70,000 a year without a degree. I was also careful to choose prospective employers who valued many years of on-the-job experience over a degree.

By Noelle

May 8, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Wolf got it right: all the degrees in the world won’t help you if you can’t speak well and write a coherent sentence. You don’t have to be 100% perfect 100% of the time, but if you sound and write like you’re lacking basic education, then that’s the impression you’ll leave behind, no matter how impressive your education or experience.

By Billy

May 8, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

I think we’re all missing the point with these yes or no answers to an amazingly complex dilemma. If I’m going to give a simple answer, then I’ll say, “Yes, college degrees are overrated.” But, of course, it’s not the whole story.

I was in a relatively uncommon situation as I was leaving high school. My parents have three degrees between them. My father’s parents both had degrees. My mother’s as well. Her grandfather had one. If you sat my parents, my mother’s three siblings and their spouses at a table, you would find twelve degrees between them. Maybe more; I’m not sure which non-doctors have graduate degrees. What did this mean for me? Even though there was no direct pressure from anyone to go to college, I felt like I had to…even though I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.

So I went to Georgia Tech three weeks after my graduation. Here’s what I learned:

1) Tech was not the right place for me. I didn’t want to take Calc II. Or Calc III. It bored me. My favorite class at Tech? Intro to Psychology. I couldn’t be bothered to get up and go to a class I hated. So I pretty much checked out, then I lost HOPE after three quarters.

2) People can be idiots regardless of how smart they are. There was a 16 year-old in my English I class. He must have been a savant with numbers, because he couldn’t write a coherent sentence to save his life.

So I learned that I had made a mistake and that Tech had, largely, tunnel vision with respect to education. That kid’s not my only evidence for this; during a scholarship interview the interviewer asked me why I was going to pursue an engineering degree when my verbal SAT score was higher than my math. Even though my math was higher than 90% of Tech applicants’ scores…

Anyhoo, I went to my local community college, got an AA in Psychology, transferred to North Georgia, got my BA in History, and am working on my teacher certification. Yes, It’s been almost eleven years, and no, I’m not working in my ultimate career yet, but I’m little worse for wear. But what if I hadn’t been the product of three generations of college grads going to a school in a state that largely pays for public college tuition? What if my parents were blue collar workers who scrimped and saved to build up enough cash to send me to school? All that money would have been wasted.

That’s what we’re missing. The answer to the question isn’t based on what college meant or did not mean for you, but what it can mean, for better or for worse, for someone in the lower middle class who has to take extraordinary measures to get in and stay in. In that scenario, I can’t find a lot of fault in Marty Nemko’s arguments.

The fact of the matter is that with the exception of the previously mentioned doctors, lawyers, engineers, et al, most positions do not require a degree to perform the job duties, even if they require one for hire. That requirement is largely to show that you can complete the task of college itself. But is it worth it? Maybe. It all depends on the student, his financial situation, his desired field, and the job market in said field.

I think the ultimate point is this: Yeah, a degree would be nice, but if involves you going into debt, think long and hard about it, because if one little thing goes wrong, you’re screwed.

By Brian

May 8, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

Bottom line, it depends what degree you get and the demand for that industry.

If you get a liberal arts degree when everyone and their brother has one, and expect to get the exact job you want, you’re just kidding yourself.

If you go to join a business oriented professional services firm, you better have a college degree or you won’t get looked at. If you want to be an accountant like myself, you sure as hell better have an Accounting degree, or college degree with the minimum CPA education requirements.

By Brian

May 8, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

Bottom line, it depends what degree you get and the demand for that industry.

If you get a liberal arts degree when everyone and their brother has one, and expect to get the exact job you want, you’re just kidding yourself.

If you go to join a business oriented professional services firm, you better have a college degree or you won’t get looked at. If you want to be an accountant like myself, you sure as hell better have an Accounting degree, or college degree with the minimum CPA education requirements.

By Thor

May 8, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

Many companies won’t interview you unless you have a college degree.

A liberal arts degree does teach you to read and write the king’s english correctly. A BS in business admin is a dime a dozen.

By S. Emergence

May 8, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

I find it funny that so many people are knocking liberal arts degrees. I’ve recently been promoted as part of the sales force at a growing company and my former VP, my Sales Dir. and new VP all commented positively about my degree. I have an English degree from a private liberal arts university in PA. I know for a fact that my polished communication style, discipline and problem solving (yes, problem solving; we didn’t sit around reading poems under a tree) were all helpful to my career development. In fact, major companies in the area recruited heavily from the school of liberal arts. People who feel that liberal arts education is useless really don’t get it.

I think some of them represent the uncreative drones who languish in dead-end positions due to their lack of creativity.

By the way, I am also a print and web freelance writer as well. So I use my degree all the time.

Where are my liberal arts degreed people? Stand up and be proud!