Phil, in a comment to my previous post, pointed out this article in the LA Times about the unemployed with college degrees.
A college degree by itself is relatively worthless in the job market, as evidenced by the extremely low starting salary paid to a college graduate without any work experience.
The behavior of employers show that experience is what they are looking for. So when an older experienced worker with a college degree loses his job because of outsourcing, he’s pretty much screwed if the specific type of experience he has is no longer in demand. The mere fact that he has a college degree means nothing, unless he wants to start at the low entry level salary of a new college graduate, and even then, employers wouldn’t touch him because it’s considered bad to hire someone who is accustomed to a much higher salary—such an employee will eventually become resentful that his salary is so much lower than it used to be.
While I agree with Abigail on most points, I have to say here that my experience shows the opposite to be true: When applying for jobs with the state/county/city, they look at the MQ's (minimum qualifications) 1st, and experience 2nd.
In their case, I think, they are legaly obligated to do that, to ensure that applicants all meet a certain standard so they have a common foundation to build upon. Then they are tested for proficiency, and finally, interviewers review experience, aptitude, and other "interview specific" data. But in those cases, if the job description says they need a master's degree in psychology or accounting, then that's what they need to have to get to the next stage in the process.
Also, the sciences, such as research, healthcare, etc., rely on the accredidation. Also legal professions... I'm imagine there are more I'm not thinking of.
Hey, don't get me wrong, I know what you're saying, Abigail - I knew a guy who had a psych degree but worked as a bartender!
Posted by: SheaNC | March 13, 2005 at 11:07 PM
P.S. - I do agree that the outsourced degree holder you describe will end up starting out at an entry level wage at his/her new position - and be on probation too!
Posted by: SheaNC | March 13, 2005 at 11:09 PM
I know a girl with a philosophy degree that is a waitress. We used to tease her by saying "I have a philiosophy degree, would you like fries with that?" but these days it isn't so funny.
Posted by: Kender | March 13, 2005 at 11:18 PM
Also legal professions
A starting salary for a job in law can be as low as $30,000/yr or even lower than that! A law degree by itself doesn't qualify its holder for a high salary.
In fact, the law school scam is another example of how the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The rich kid will go to Harvard Law School, all paid for by mom and dad, and then get a job at Cravath Swaine & Moore paying six figures.
The poor kid will get a law degree from the state school, graduate with lots of student loans, and get a job paying in the 30s.
Posted by: Abigail | March 14, 2005 at 09:16 AM
But a smart law student would figure out how to sue somebody to make the money to pay off their school loans wouldn't they?
That is what I would be thinking were I a law student.
Posted by: Kender | March 14, 2005 at 11:12 AM
Again - yes; the 'rich' have it easier. The 'poor' (non-rich, really) have to work harder ... but can still be successful!
I have nothing against 'rich' people spending their money to help their kids have a good education; as long as they do get that education (i.e. - no free rides). This is pretty much what our country is founded on - making a better life for you and your family? Is that bad?
Back to the college degree as a door-opener : some places won't hire you w/o that degree, plain and simple. Or, atleast the HR-Nazi's won't pass you ... the best way to get a job, and to bypass HR-Nazi's, is through social networking. When the hiring manager says hire this person, HR cannot usually say no (barring criminal records, drug abuse, etc.).
As previously mentioned, I currently have no college degree ... but make a (well) above average living and have never really had a problem finding employment. Hard work, good skills, etc. have all done well for me!
/TJ
... NIF
... The Wide Awakes
PS - class-warfare rhetoric is old & tired.
Posted by: TJ | March 14, 2005 at 01:11 PM
...But class warfare is waged nevertheless. It deserves to be addressed.
Posted by: SheaNC | March 14, 2005 at 10:39 PM
Class warfare? Gte real.
Work smarter AND harder......my wife and I have no college degrees, but hard work has paid off.
But then we didnt sit around waiting to be handed anything or whining about it.
Imagine how much someone could accomplish if they worked at something as hard as they work at whining.
Posted by: Kender | March 16, 2005 at 10:59 AM
"Class warfare is waged" ... only in rhetoric! It deserves to be ignored so we can all live our lives, and actually be productive, beneficial (and charitable) members of society!
Kender is spot-on : I have no degree (well, an Associate's - but that doesn't really count ... and as mentioned before, I dropped out of college) and, in fact, I have no 'professional certifications' either - in an industry that -almost- requires both! I worked damned hard and am damned good at what I do, and make a damned decent living off of it!
(My wife does have a (4yr) degree, but she is a stay-at-home Mom now, which is a full-time job in and of itself ... but doesn't require a degree :P)
/TJ
... NIF
... The Wide Awakes
Posted by: TJ | March 17, 2005 at 08:13 AM