I must respond on the college issue...
I will preface it with yes I do have a B.S. and a M.Ed. WHOOPIE! That's about all I have to say about my degrees, but while instructing students, and conducting training seminars (sales) etc., I will share with you the importance of a degree that sometimes younger individuals fail to see.
A degree provides opportunities that those without, may not get a chance to experience. It does not gurantee success (that's the individual) it does not gurantee money (that's your talent and work ethic), it does not gurantee a happy life or lifestyle (again it's all the individual).
But here is what it does provide for those willing to take the risk:
It provides the prospective employer an opportunity to see the following:
Maturity: A minimum of 4 years after HS you are a much more talented decision maker, you tend to take less unwarranted risks, you lead with your head, and demonstrate that emotions will not be your determining factor in decisions. (Heck, if you are looking for a parallel, look at today's professional athletes. Most need at lleast those 4 years of maturity to even provide them a chance at being successful on the next level. Sure their are excpetions, but divide those numbers by the number of athletes in a sport and include those seniors that come out of HS, and you will double recognize how special these athlete's are.)
Goal attainment: This allows you to stress on paper and in interviews that you set a goal for yourself (degree in 4 years with a minor) and you stuck with it and achieved your goal. Go one step further and make your GPA a goal, another point to discuss talking about your successes. Another key point is if you paid for college yourself, without scholarship, etc. You proved you will stop at nothing to achieve your goal, no matter how much your situation sucks! (Trust me I know this one well, I am the only person within my entire extended family with a degree, much less an advanced degree, all financed by myself! It sucked, and that's putting it nicely!)
Seperation: A college degree seperates you from the rest of the general public. (Keep in mind I am talking about the benefits of collge, and not critiquing those that didn't go. My sister did not go, she makes six digits a year, has 2 homes, and just got married at the age of 37.) As of a few years ago, I would have to research more for the newest numbers, but less than 12% of the nation has a degree. Let me state that again: Less than 12% of the nation has a degree!! Many start, seldom finish. It truly weeds people out, and separates people. Another astonishing fact: 50% of all College Freshman drop out of college within their first year, and another 50% of those left are gone within 2 years. You can see why the numbers are so low. But everyone talks about college, but trust menot very many go or finish. If you throw in an Advanced degree into the equation that number is less than 3% of the population. So when looking at these situations you can see that there is quite a disparity and there is quite a bit of value ina degree. This does not take into consideration the glass ceiling for those without a degree. Does not take into consideration those in their 40's going back to scholl because they have to, to support their family and move up the pay scale. All decisions that are much harder later on!
It shows the ability to learn: I will be quite frank with this next statement, and it is a difficult one to take. Not everyone has the ability to learn. A degree shows you that you can learn a variety of information in a variety of different settings. Almost anyone can read a newspaper, magazine, or articles. But what are you learning, and how can you demonstrate it? That's a key question? How can you demonstrate the knowledge that you have! Education is more than regurgitation of information, or memorize and equation. It takes analysis, and then synthesis. Most people can analyze, fewer can synthesize. That is what a degree can do for you, it gives tabgible evidence that you can learn, you can analyze, and you can syntheize the information. Whether or not you od that in real life is up to your passion for succes and your internal drive. That can be said for all of the components above, but that is an individual quality that cannot be learned.
I will also share this with you: I am currently back into Pharmaceuticals, and they will not interview people without a degree. Much less they will hire only people that have a degree and over a 3.0 GPA, actually I find it much higher in real life. Sure this is not your intent to go into, but it shows the value of a degree. Now here is another number in my scenarion: The new company I am with just did an expansion and hired 350 new reps...take a guess at how many resumes and applications came in for these positions: Over 38,000. Even with a degree, you stil have to seperate yourself, but at least it gives you a chance.
Any more questions feel free to ask, and I will do my best to answer. This is not a slight on anyone, but when dispensing advice I wanted to share my belief on how important I feel college is. In case it is asked I graduate HS with about a 2.7, I was in it for the social aspects, woman, and sports. So I wasn't necessarily college material, but I did have abilties! I worked hard in college for my degrees and honors received!
I hope this helped, otherwise I spent a lot of time working out my fingers!
TSI
