Not to insult anyone and their pursuit of education, but experience is extremely valuable. I have encountered many "book smart" people who couldn't common sense their way out of a wet paper bag. The job pays what the job pays. If I'm going to hire someone to do it, I want someone who can do it right and do it right away. If I have to train them, they are not qualified for the job.
Unfortunately a degree just doesn't mean what it used to. There was a time when schools only excepted the exceptional and the degrees they earned reflected the hard work and dedication it took to obtain them. Now it seems that anyone who can afford to go can go. As with most things these days, mediocrity is the norm. It was deemed necessary to find ways for all to attend college and obtain degrees. This cheapened their value to the point that the degree alone meant little compared to actual experience doing the job one is applying for. It's a shame that the truly intelligent and hard working get the same degree as the mediocre and there is no way to tell the difference since employers do not have access to grades and actual achievement during their schooling. Edited at: Monday, April 13, 2009 11:57:09 PM
