Maggie's Farm

The people we hire at entry-level are doing jobs anyone with a HS diploma could do.

The issue of the college degree has more to do with advancement than with doing the job. It is assumed (incorrectly, in my opinion) that you are more inquisitive, accountable, and responsible if you got your degree.

However, in the past I've had assistants who had no more than a diploma, and several have moved up the ladder into management. Took them longer, mostly because they didn't have a degree. Not because they couldn't do the work.

Another friend of mine has run his own consulting business for many years. He's taken me on as part time help when I've been down and out. He never finished his college degree.

It's painful, however, because his company is slowing down with the economy. What he does is not specialized, and he's competing on price now, rather than skill or unique value.

As a result, he's gone looking for jobs at companies which he has consulted for. Jobs for which he is very well qualified are not available to him because he doesn't have a degree. He points out "but I've run my own company successfully for 20 years", but HR replies "but you don't have a degree."

I'd rather have someone with the guts and ability to start and manage their own company than to have someone who rose up the ranks.