University Degrees - necessary in making a valuable contribution?

[Lauraknott13]

I have just read the article “The courage to live consciously” and did the exercise of writing down the fears that I have been suppressing. It came down to “Quit your degree”. I then did the 10 steps to overcoming this fear and contributing to this forum is no.1.

Is there anyone else out there who would support my idea that a degree is not compulsory in order make a valuable contribution in life? Am I seriously limiting my life chances by not doing it? I’m in my second year of psychology and sociology. I previously did 2 years of a different degree before and found the courage to quit, despite all the critics… and actually since then, i have found a lot of support in those same people who tried to persuade me quitting was the wrong choice.

Every single time I go to write an essay I go through a mini personal crisis. It takes me hours of psyching myself into doing it. I don’t see the meaning or the purpose in it. I ask myself again and again why I’m here, doing this? The usual reason I find is to face my fears. I fear criticism and judgement, so I feel writing essays is a way to overcome this. I also need to find more effective ways of structuring my thoughts, so again, essays can help with this. But is it possible that I could be overcoming these fears whilst doing something I find meaningful and purposeful? I can’t tell if this is really NOT what I want, or if it is just an avoidance technique around exam times.

When I think of quitting my degree, i hear my dad’s voice (and many others) telling me that it’s best to keep my options open… that I may be refused future jobs if I don’t have a degree. I think partly my lack of motivation is because I don’t have clear goals set for myself, so I have no incentive to work towards them. My general aim is to “help people” to face their fears, to become more conscious, to give up what they know is bad for them, etc… I have had a lot of personal experience in these areas - I’ve overcome numerous addictions - therefore I know that another way of living is possible because I have turned my life around completely. My end goal is freedom from anxiety, fear and suffering for all beings - but how can I bring that into this world - and do I need a degree to do it??

Thanks for reading!
Laura

[aznandyboi]

I think a degree is nothing more than a piece of paper. It doesn't mean you are smart or stupid, useful or useless or will be successful or unsuccessful. Many have made it big without one and there are also many that are working in your local fast food restaurants because they lack one. I think the world sees of having a degree to mean that you are qualified on paper. If you wanted to apply to a social worker position without a degree they might reject you not because you aren't qualified but because everyone else they hired has a degree. Just my opinion, btw.

[Perseus]

i have been in a similar situation to the one you are in now and don't worry whatever you decide it's going to work out, i was studying for a degree in computing and i found it extremely hard to get motivated to complete assignments and even go to the course lectures. I tried to think about what i could do about this,

I knew that if i continued the way i was, i would either fail, or if i was lucky, get a pass grade, but i felt i was capable of more. There is a good side to sticking it out too though, at the end i could have had a degree, not a great one, but it would be better than nothing and maybe i could weigh up my options when i was finished, but this meant alot of effort in something i wasn't interested in.

If i quit i would be way back where i started and feel like i wasted my time and money and what would i do if i quit anyway? It took a while but this was the option i choose, i felt it was the right decision for me because i decided that if i'm gonna do a degree, i want to do it well and i should be studying something that i am really motivated to do, i figured if i'm gonna do this for the rest of my life i had better do something i love and enjoy, i don't want to do a job that im not happy with 40 hours a week, i want to enjoy getting up and going to work. Im not saying this is right decision for you but it was right for me.

After i quit my degree, i went home and worked for a year. During this time i researched diferent subjects and possible things i could do that i might be interested in. I also felt motivated to do this because i didn't enjoy the job. I decided to go back to university and study science and at the minute, that is what i am doing, i think about it completely differently than my last course and i am really enjoying it, its hard work but i see myself having a future in it.

Although i went back to uni, I think it is possible to be very sucessful in life without a degree, a lot of people work there way up through jobs, starting from the bottom and that is fine, alot of these people can earn the same as most graduates if not more. Like aznandyboi said a degree doesn't make you smart or stupid and a lot of people have them these days, I think its just a way of getting somewhere. The biggest difference is the type of job your going for and are you gonna be happy in it, is it what you wanna spent a big part of your life doing? Anyway good luck and in a few years time you will look back and know you made a good decision no matter what you choose

[Baltar]

Originally Posted by Lauraknott13

Is there anyone else out there who would support my idea that a degree is not compulsory in order make a valuable contribution in life?

It's definitely not a requirement to be successful in life or to make a valuable contribution. But if you want to spend your life as an employee then you should get a degree. If you want to work for yourself or be an entrepreneur, then you don't need one. There are some very prominent entrepreneurs who don't have college degrees. Bill Gates is an obvious one, as well as his partner Paul Allen. There's also Michael Dell and Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs dropped out after just one semester and his net worth is almost $5 billion right now. The very prominent game developers John Carmack and John Romero also don't have degrees.

Some of these people dropped out to start their businesses, and some of them couldn't stand the rigidity of college and/or were really bored with it. I wish I could say that I was brave enough to leave college myself, but back then my consciousness was at the level of fear so I stayed through it, despite being unhappy doing it. I did learn some useful things there, but given how much time I spent there versus how much useful material I learned it was a very inefficiently spent four years.

In the end the degree itself didn't matter much because after college I only stayed an employee for less than half a year. Even then I think the degree played a very small role in me getting hired. It probably helped me get the interview, but in the end I was hired because of my skills. I later found out that I was selected instead of another candidate, despite the fact that I had a BS from a public college and he had an MS from a private college.

Originally Posted by Lauraknott13

When I think of quitting my degree, i hear my dad’s voice (and many others) telling me that it’s best to keep my options open… that I may be refused future jobs if I don’t have a degree.

Without a degree you will definitely have a harder time being an employee. There's a stupid cultural notion that people with degrees are somehow better. That usually means that people with a degree get paid more, get promoted more, and have an easier time finding employment (or at least getting interviews). So if you want to be an employee then keep this in mind.

However, "keeping my options open" is a terrible reason to get a degree. This sort of thinking will keep you adrift for your entire life. Steve Pavlina has an article called Cultivating Burning Desire where he says that you should "burn the ships". You must decide on a single path and forget about all the others. Keeping your options open sends a message to your brain that it's ok to give up when things get too hard. It's no doubt scary to burn those ships, but in the end it makes you a stronger person. Below is an excerpt from Steve's article. Good luck!!

In the classic book The Art of War, Sun Tzu notes that soldiers fight the most ferociously when they believe they're fighting to the death. A good general knows that when attacking an opposing force, it's important to create the illusion of a potential escape route for the enemy, so they won't fight as hard. What escape routes are you keeping open that are causing you not to fight as hard?

If you don't burn those ships, you are sending the message to your subconscious mind that it's ok to quit. And when the going gets tough, as it inevitably does for any worthwhile goal, you will quit. If you really want to achieve your goals, then you've got to burn those ships to the ground, and scatter the ashes. If you're thinking that the average person won't do this, you're right -- that's why they're average.

[dunhac82]

It's tough, I went through the same thing in college. I started off learning recording and didn't switch to a different major until my junior year. I felt that sound contracting was a better major because it had a lot more to do with design. On top of it I was told by the head of that department that the field was growing by leaps and bounds. Finally when I got out of college I found that he was completely wrong, there are no jobs and even electricians who do similar work have no work either. So here I am a year later owing tons of money and working at an almost minimum wage job just to pay bills. In other words, Laura, don't buy into the falsehood that a degree brings a good job or you are gaurenteed a job when you get out. I wish I would have taken my time going into school instead of going straight out of Highschool, but I was pressured by everyone to go and did not stand up for myself. Also not having a degree does not mean you can't get a job or earn good money. There are plenty of intelligent, hard working people out there who have never had a degree. Look at the people in the trades for example; they can easily get into a trade school with no degree and wind up making more usually than those with one. A degree isn't the end all be all. I would say if you are unsure of what you want to do; than it might be time to re-evaluate your options. It takes a long time sometimes, I've considered going back to school for my Masters; but still have no idea what field I would go into. Good luck to you.

[Michael Chui]

Think:

Oxford, the first university, was founded sometime around 1500 (I'd have to look up the exact date). Yet, before Oxford, there were thousands of people who made a valuable contribution to the world. So you might say: well, it's necessary today. Why would it be?

aznandyboi made the excellent point that a degree is nothing more than a piece of paper. He's almost right. A degree is a credential that entitles you to a manufactured regard. That is to say, "I'm an Oxford alum," means something different to people than to say, "I'm this guy from Oklahoma." A large part of the reason I'm getting a degree is because I want these credentials. I intend to continue my schooling through a graduate school.

So necessary? Absolutely not. You need an education, not proof that you've been in school.

[RT Wolf]

I think everyone has pretty clearly stated my views on degrees--that they're mostly pieces of paper. However, they're often touted as being a key part of a successful life and/or a garuntee of education. We've established that they are not, so what are those things?

I would argue that certain traits are important for success in life. You find these traits in more or less all successful people, even those with degrees (Warren Buffett, second richest man, has a degree, and if you go down the list, you'll find many degree holders). Hard work, perserverance, a willingness to take chances and/or calculated risks, courage, the willingness to grow and a whole host of other words that few people know the true meaning of.

Now, what makes a person educated, or what is an education? First, my definition of an educated person is one who has knowledge about a wide range of subjects, and a well thought understanding of the world. That, unfortunately, means that most people who just get degrees and specialize in only one field are not educated under my definition. That also means that I'm not educated.

So, how does one go about getting an education? I believe it comes through experience and self-teaching. Reading a wide variety of books and having a wide variety of experiences. At the same time, the information has to be useful and contribute to your mental models of the world. It's important not to fall into the trap of getting a whole variety of information or knowledge that is inherently useless to you. I've posted before about this sort of thing, about getting different "mental models" from the different disciplines, so that you are just a man with a hammer (and to whom the whole world looks like a nail).

I hope I've been clear, I'm really tired.

[dor]

How many great writers had rhetoric degrees?
how many great artists had fine arts degrees?

I think education has become a very empty and expensive status symbol, especially since, at least in the US universities have been remarkably dumbed down....most families or students have to go into debt to finance their education and thus are sent out into the world with a 10,20, 30K in debt...

but unfortunately, most companies require a degree for entry level exec jobs ...

and unfortunately its an easy superficial way to say you're educated "i graduated from so and so"
from a certain class "I was up at so and so"

All that said, I had a few professors that made the four years worth it.
depends what you want to do I don't know,...did Mother Tersea have a degree
so its not neccassary unless you wanted to do some sort of research or something that absolutely requires a degree by law - like being a lawyer...

[geekchic9]

You know, I just picked up a book today called "The Authentic Career" and it has 3 chapters dedicated to the problem of what you want vs. what others want for you. Maybe you can look at it at the library or bookstore next time you go. It couldn't hurt.

[Liara Covert]

Its interesting to note that some of the most successful people in business, entertainment, adventure, and non-traditional careers never pursued or completed a university degree. Richard Branson & Oprah Winfrey never finished highschool. Thomas Edison was asked to leave elementary school because teachers thought he wasn't capable. (He went on to invent the incandescent lightbulb and holds record for 1000 patents which nobody has yet surpassed since his death). You could also find examples of MANY people who earned degrees out there who are also unemployed. So, you might ask, what would the advantage of obtaining a degree be?

Some professional streams require degrees (medicine, law, accounting, ect).
If these areas don't interest you, I don't think its so important whether or not you complete a degree. Yet, its essential to be open to different kinds of learning, especially about yourself. Educational institutions teach and test for certain kinds of intelligence. Just because you do not excel in a particular university course, doesn't mean you're stupid or destined to fail. It may be hard, but you benefit from stepping back from the opinions of what other people think is the right choice for you. Your life is all about finding out more about who you are.

Personally, I know a lot of people who explored different kinds of jobs before and during completion of diplomas. There is no right or wrong way to learn. If you choose, you can complete a degree online now. You are not limited to traditional classes or three-four year time constraints. Its not good to get into the habit of procrastinating or quitting, but I would encourage you to examine why you don't feel motivated. Discover your sources of motivation, and you'll find clues to personal success. Talking to friends, school guidance counsellors and people you trust can also help, and so can reading.

Some students who are uncertain about what they wish to do choose to volunteer overseas in a developing country, join the military, become a nanny for children abroad, start a business or develop musical talents. I would encourage you to brainstorm about what motivates you. You are more apt to finish what you start if you're enjoying what you do. Discovering what boosts your energy and intesifies your passion will be key to moving ahead in a way that makes you feel good about you. Good luck!

[Lallymac]

One of my sisters has a whole raft of friends who are degree/course junkies. Everytime they complete or come close to completion, they change their minds about their careers and dive off into something else. I think the key is to have a real passion that you're following, rather studying something hoping to find passion along the way. What do you ultimately want to do? How do you see yourself working?
In NZ a free magazine distributed by our national paper wrote an article citing statistics on the number of people who work and earn an income from field they have tertiary quals in. 46% don't even complete their degree and of the ones left, on average only 36% use it. That's a heaps of people with student debt for little gain. They compared the earnings of an accountant with those of a plumber over a ten yr period. Financially the plumber had earned twice the income of the accountant after student loans etc were deducted. The plumber had been earning all along while his employee paid for him to study and attain his papers of registration then earning capacity was equal or more if he became self employed. Who's the dummy?
Tertiary education is big business. Countless numbers of people are being trained in industries in this country where it is already known that vacancies are limited to a few. We live in qualification orientated societies where at the end of the day we have a piece of paper to say that we have learnt how to learn. I believe young people are being railroaded in tertiary education before they have any of the life experiences that prompt passions.
Lallymac

[RT Wolf]

Originally Posted by Lallymac

I believe young people are being railroaded in tertiary education before they have any of the life experiences that prompt passions.
Lallymac

Totally agree with you there. Here in Ontario, they recently elimnated the 13th year of high school (OAC) to reduce costs and I think that has really made things difficult for basically teenagers trying to pick a degree.

Another thing you touched on: in ten years, no one's going to ask about your degree. Students get totally paralyzed by thinking that this is it, for the rest of their life, when in fact they can change careers as often as they'd like and should just go with what they're interested in right now.

Another thing is that you might be keen about doing something but not mesh with the way it is taught. For example, I want to make (and am making) movies. So I have a strong interest in the practical aspect of movie-making. However, the Cinema Studies course at University of Toronto is more or less only theory (watch movies, write essays and so on). So, not only do you have to enjoy doing something (and that includes the months of grueling work and not just the final product), you have to be willing to endure (or enjoy) the rigors of academia, including useless essays and assignments, bad professors, people with aims totally different from yours, senseless beaurocracy, etc. Yay, fun! I'm just complaining at this point. Toodles.

[dor]

Originally Posted by RT Wolf

However, the Cinema Studies course at University of Toronto is more or less only theory (watch movies, write essays and so on). So, not only do you have to enjoy doing something (and that includes the months of grueling work and not just the final product), you have to be willing to endure (or enjoy) the rigors of academia, including useless essays and assignments, bad professors, people with aims totally different from yours, senseless beaurocracy, etc. Yay, fun! I'm just complaining at this point. Toodles.

USC film school rejected spielberg, didn't they? Last year, i was at a film ffestival with 5 acadmeny award nominated directors - (crash, capote, totsi, paradise now, and one more i forget) someone asked 'what film schools did you go to" they all looked at each other and shrugged...'none' 'i took one course on how to operate a camera' and that sort of thing

However, let me offer on caveat - dropping out, failing, quitting or opting to avoid some 'conformity' like going to college does not is not and will never be a guarantee of success of even a sign - I think most people who drop out become drifters the case of the sucesses is they dropped out or didn't go because they were so driven by what they were doing that the degree got in the way...

[Ibanez]

Like others stated, I don't think a university degree is necessary to become successful, but it also depends what field you want to go into, ie Doctor. Also like others stated it's more so the personality and traits a person posseses that decide whether they will become successful.

The Bachelor's Degree is becoming what the high school diploma is. More people are moving on to Masters to help separate themselves from others in hopes of getting paid higher. It seems eventually a Masters will become necessary to get a job also.

On a side note I was reading in an article online how in 2010-2015 about 2/3 of the people attending college will be women, thought that was pretty interesting.

People usually use education and schooling as synonymous terms, which I don't like. I mean you can be educated without schooling.

I believe young people are being railroaded in tertiary education before they have any of the life experiences that prompt passions.

I also agree with this.

However, let me offer on caveat - dropping out, failing, quitting or opting to avoid some 'conformity' like going to college does not is not and will never be a guarantee of success of even a sign - I think most people who drop out become drifters the case of the sucesses is they dropped out or didn't go because they were so driven by what they were doing that the degree got in the way...

I also agree with this.

[Michael Chui]

Originally Posted by Lallymac

I believe young people are being railroaded in tertiary education before they have any of the life experiences that prompt passions.

Supposedly, this is what freshman year is supposed to be about, but I'm unconvinced that's what actually happens. I spent three years at a community college (and, in the process, more or less burned up English and Math by taking every offered course) before I really got what it is I wanted. And now, a year and a half into my Bachelor's degree, I've realized I want to focus it more, in a direction that no one else appears to have considered.

Excellent observation.

[Mike Estep]

I have 4 degrees.

I earned a music education bachelors in 1983 because I liked music and my parents wanted me to go to school. I thought I would never go back to school again.

I earned a computer science masters in 2001 because I wanted to make more money.

I earned an education specialist degree in 2003 and a PhD in 2005 both in computing technology in education. I got these degrees because I was somewhat obsessed and on a roll after the masters. Also, I had ideas and philosophies of importance to discuss that some people wouldn't pay any attention to until I was part of the "club". In some people's minds, you can't have any expertise unless you have the pedigree. This is silly, but unfortunately accurate.

The only thing a degree really proves is that someone made it through an endurance test and was willing to follow instruction. This is important to employers.

None of the degrees made me more intelligent, although I did learn in ways that I would never have been exposed to without this type of education.

I in no way feel superior to people without degrees. I've worked with many other PhDs that I consider to be arrogant and idiots. Some of this behavior may be a form of self preservation. Fortunately there are PhDs who see the degree is just a possible way to open some doors for work or expression. Also some of the most intelligent and brilliant people I know personally, have never been to college.

Degrees are expensive. I have $90,000 worth of student loans hanging over my head. Was it worth it? Yes and no.

Having a degree will not guarantee that you will get a job, although I believe statistically that people with degrees earn more money in jobs than people without.

I also believe that many entrepreneurs become successful in spite of their degrees or lack of degrees.

One other thing. I learned more about intelligence, genius, inspiration, and creativity in giving 21 years of private music instruction than I EVER learned in school. I frequently talk with my students about da Vinci, Einstein, Edison, Tesla, and Mozart, and how to practice some of the positive behaviors of these people to release their own genius.

So, should you get a degree? Our culture will try to persuade you that it is imperative. Try to look at ALL perspectives involved. Then decide for yourself.

Mike
_________________________________________

Mike Estep.com - Common Sense Outside the Box

[Little Deb]

I am one of "those people" who work in fast food places because I don't have a degree. Actually, it is because I never had the money or encouragment to go to University to begin with. (My parents considered it my responsiblity to fund my own secondary education since they had "already wasted enough money raising a stupid, ugly, useless GIRL." Their words.) My efforts to go to collage have been strewn with obstacles from the start. The unemployment centre in my town only caters to those women wanting to get into nursing, teaching, secreterial (which they won't pay for anymore), and have always traditionally frowned upon anyone male or female interested in the "sissy" fine arts. So, instead, I belong to the Camera Club, play my mandolin with the Bluegrass Society, and basically devote my spare time to my hobbies after work at the DQ. I have even managed to save my meager income and travel to Europe, around Canada, and to parts of the US of A. At 42 years old I consider myself a successful person, spiritually, but not career-wise. Depends on what you define as being "successful". The reason I got interested in this site was so i could change my thinking and work on bettering my life, anyway, so I may just get a degree someday.

[Antiventurecapital]

Here's the deal on degrees.

Without one a lot of doors are shut to you from the start. As someone once put it, a degree makes it easier for other people with degrees to accept you whether it be for a job, a country club, or a social network.

A degree is your proof that you could follow through on a 4 year commitment.

Today's 4 year degree is like yesterday's high school diploma. It's the bare minimum in educational qualifications one needs to get ahead.

[Michael Chui]

Originally Posted by Antiventurecapital

It's the bare minimum in educational qualifications one needs to get ahead.

Well and good, but where is "ahead"?

[Antiventurecapital]

Originally Posted by Michael Chui

Well and good, but where is "ahead"?

Well, all professions for starters. Then there's the whole corporate world to consider. As I stated somewhere else on this board, about the only field left where you don't really need a degree is entrepreneurship.

[Lychee]

It really depends on what you want to do. If you want to go into a professional career, you will need to go to college. But if you want to do something which does not require a degree, then see if you want to get into it. Education is not a cheap thing nowadays.

You said that you want to help people get over their fears. Ok - now what kind of professions would have that as their purpose? Psychologist? Psychiatrist? Life Coach? You might want to look into being a life coach. I don't think it requires a formal degree, but a certification. That isn't as long or demanding as a degree and it will give you something tangible of proof of your credentials.

That said, just because you have an education doesn't mean you'll be successful or wealthy. Education is believed to be evidence of learning, but that is not always the case. But I agree with your dad - keep your options open. You don't know what will happen down the road. The cost of living is also steadily increasing and people have to work longer hours, and even require their spouse to work, to pay the bills.

[Erki]

Originally Posted by Lychee

It really depends on what you want to do. If you want to go into a professional career, you will need to go to college. But if you want to do something which does not require a degree, then see if you want to get into it. Education is not a cheap thing nowadays.

What is that "professional career"? Career for the sake of career?

[Antiventurecapital]

Originally Posted by Erki

What is that "professional career"? Career for the sake of career?

Things like medicine, dentistry, accounting, law, engineering, architecture, veterinary, psychiatry, etc. Too many to list. Usually it's a "calling".

[Baltar]

Originally Posted by Antiventurecapital

Today's 4 year degree is like yesterday's high school diploma. It's the bare minimum in educational qualifications one needs to get ahead.

Ahead of who? You sound like a Board of Education advertisement. If everyone has a degree you're not going to be ahead of anyone. There was a time when having a college degree meant something (when most people didn't have one). Now most young people go to college, so a degree is a pretty poor way to differentiate yourself from others. It has actually gotten so ridiculous now that people are starting to get Masters degrees to stand out from the crowd. Such silliness!

Originally Posted by Antiventurecapital

Things like medicine, dentistry, accounting, law, engineering, architecture, veterinary, psychiatry, etc. Too many to list. Usually it's a "calling".

True, although engineering doesn't belong on that list. Maybe Civil Engineering does but not all engineering. Steve Wozniak for instance was a brilliant Electrical Engineer without any degree when he designed the Apple I and Apple II. In any case, I think it's pretty obvious to everyone that to be a doctor you need to go to medical school. However just having a random college degree isn't going to allow you to practice law or dentistry. Getting a degree for the sake of getting one makes absolutely no sense, and getting a random degree when you're not sure what you want to be doing is even worse.

I suppose if you want to be a Borg Drone employee then you definitely need a degree precisely so you can be like all the other drones. Today this means getting a degree, because everyone has them and having one shows that you're obedient and a conformist, which employers absolutely love. Creative, out-of-the-box thinking people are too dangerous to hire. But if you don't want to be a drone then a college degree is only necessary if you actually need it to do what you want to do.

[Liara Covert]

It appears that many people spend a lot of time defining their own version of success based on someone else's ideas. If that makes you happy, so be it. I've known many people who spend time trying to separate themselves from imposed success expectations of friends, relatives, society and the media. They may experience an identity crisis. Remind yourself "success" isn't based on what you do so much as how you feel about what you do.

How easy it is to forget that success is not based soley on one category.
Consider the following definitions;

1.the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.
(success may mean you complete things you aim to do with positive results)

2. the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.
(success may mean you accumulate material things and grow a bank account)

3. a successful performance or achievement.
(success may be an artistic creation which reveals your potential)

4. a person or thing that is successful.
(success may be based on how other people seem to approve or view you)

5. Obsolete. outcome.
(success may be irrelevant, unnecessary or a simple result of trying things)

[Michael Chui]

Originally Posted by Antiventurecapital

Well, all professions for starters. Then there's the whole corporate world to consider. As I stated somewhere else on this board, about the only field left where you don't really need a degree is entrepreneurship.

I'm amused you consider entrepreneurship a field. Because, obviously, you can't do anything but start businesses as an entrepreneur.

[Antiventurecapital]

Originally Posted by Michael Chui

I'm amused you consider entrepreneurship a field. Because, obviously, you can't do anything but start businesses as an entrepreneur.

Well, what would you call it?

A profession?

I wouldn't.

[Antiventurecapital]

Originally Posted by Baltar

Ahead of who? You sound like a Board of Education advertisement. If everyone has a degree you're not going to be ahead of anyone. There was a time when having a college degree meant something (when most people didn't have one). Now most young people go to college, so a degree is a pretty poor way to differentiate yourself from others. It has actually gotten so ridiculous now that people are starting to get Masters degrees to stand out from the crowd. Such silliness!

By get ahead, I meant have a crack at the better jobs. If you dont have the bare minimum these days for being taken seriously as a job applicant (i.e., a college degree), you disqualify yourself immediately.

The degree is just the first step in getting your foot through the door for an interview. Once you are in you will obviously need to have far more to sell yourself on than just the sheep's skin.

[Michael Chui]

Originally Posted by Antiventurecapital

Well, what would you call it?

A profession?

I wouldn't.

I would call it a lifestyle.

[Antiventurecapital]

Originally Posted by Michael Chui

I would call it a lifestyle.

Novel definition of lifestyle.

It's more accurate to say that one goes into entrepreneurship in order to be able to live a certain lifestyle. The lifestyle is the end, the mode of money-making is the means.