What does it mean to have a college degree?
"She doesn't have a degree...not interested"
Does it make you more or less intelligent than the next person?
"...an additional $3,800 with a Master's degree"
Does that one little piece of paper entitle you to a better salary?
"...let's give her the job because she has the education"
Does it give you a better advantage over a qualified applicant who has never stepped foot on a college campus?
Does it mean that you are guaranteed to get the job of your dreams?
Does it signify your status in the world...like she's better than you because she has a degree and you don't?
Will having a degree merit you a better significant other and if your 'other' doesn't have one does it make him/her less of a good catch?
How many of you have a degree?
How many of you are working in your field of study?
Does it make you angry that some people who don't have a degree earn more than you?
These are all things that have gone through my mind these last couple of days as the graduation season has come and gone.
What does all of this mean to you?
On a lighter note, here's what I wore to my sister's graduation reception:
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| Skirt-Thrifted/Shirt-NY & Co/Shoes-Nine West |
I couldn't wait to wear this Liz Claiborne skirt. It's my favorite shade of red and it has a tiny white rose like pattern on it. My Mother said that I should've worn a white shirt with the skirt but I hate being too 'matchy' so I threw on a powder blue sleeveless 'Madison' shirt that I got from a NY & Co. clearance rack. To give the 'fit a little more zest I added gold sandals and neutral colored accessories.
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| Necklace-NY & Co |
How would you rock a red skirt?
Linked up to:
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Thriftaholics Weekly
What I Wore Wednesday
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Post Title from Graduation Day by Kanye West
Cuuuuuute skirt! At first I thought it was cherries on it, but the flowers are totally adorable! Red looks good on you.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I have a bachelors and work a job that has nothing at all to do with my major. I'm glad I went because I enjoyed it and it challenged me, but I don't think you need a degree to be a qualified candidate for a job. Not all employers would agree, but I also think going just to go is a waste of time and money!
ReplyDeleteLookin good! Love the skirt! Thanks for sharing on Thrifty Thursday :)
ReplyDeleteI've been pondering the questions in this post for the past couple days, especially as a recent graduate.
ReplyDeleteAt this point I'm still hunting for work within my field of study (I do have a part-time job that is giving me experience in my field, and I feel lucky for that). But I really don't believe a Bachelor's makes me more of a worthy candidate than someone with 5+ years of experience and no degree.
In this job market, I don't believe you can count on just a degree to get you by. You also need job experience, volunteer experience, etc, etc. At this point, just like you earned a degree, you also need to earn a job in your field by making yourself as well qualified as possible.
And from what I've discovered so far? Networking plays a HUGE part of getting hired for a job. It's really all about meeting and keeping in contact with people. You have a way better chance of getting hired at place XYZ if you know someone there, than a similar applicant who wasn't mentioned/recommended by the worker at XYZ.
Anyways, that's just my thoughts. :)
Yeah...me and white DO NOT get along so I knew that was out of the question!
ReplyDeleteRockwell
I must admit I do not have too much red in my wardrobe. So thinking about how I would rock it would be a challenge and possibly an inpsiration for a future OOTD post. I think I would pair it with a pink top for a trendy color-block look or a camel top for a more classic look. Hmmm..thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteWell I'd be happy to share some of my red with you. It's my favorite-it's so feisty and fun-so I have an overwhelming amount of it lingering around!
ReplyDeleteRockwell
Hands on skills are definitely the key to progressing but lots of jobs won't even consider you without experience..they forget that everyone has to start somewhere..like I can't get the experience if you don't give it to me!
ReplyDeleteRockwell
Oh you are so kind-- sharing is caring!!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this outfit. You look adorable. Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDelete-Meaganhttp://spunkychateau.blogspot.com
Your gorgeous!! Love that skirt!! Nice thrift store finds. Thanks for linking up to thriftaholics weekly, hope to see you there this week also :)
ReplyDeleteThank You very much. I love linking up each week-it's something that I look forward to!!
ReplyDeleteRockwell
I wish it was a easy to actually switch careers as it is to change your mind about It. Really there should be a lifetime money back guarantee on degrees!
ReplyDeleteRockwell
I FEEL YOU!!! I often ask myself these very same questions. Honestly college was never an option - my parents said you're going. It was just the next step for me. College and receiving my BS in education was an experience but once I realized what I really wanted to do (Counseling) after researching I found I needed more education so I went back for my Masters. Obtaining my masters and now working in my field - I want more. Honestly I'm addicted to learning and receiving more degrees. I want my PhD and I'm currently pursuing another masters degree. Yes the pay is great as I earn more degrees but I want to be known in my field, I want to be on a panel one day and I want to be referred to as Dr. On the flip side, I know several people who do not have degrees but they are some of the smartest people I know, they know facts and figures that I may never know and can answer questions on jeopardy - while I am still trying to figure out the category. Its a game and you have to be willing to play. If you want a particular title/job etc then you have to meet the requirements. Having a degree does not mean I am any smarter than anyone else. sorry for the rant :(
ReplyDeleteDon't apologize for your rant! I loved it..as a matter if fact u encourage it. This post was inspired by the fact that I have a degree but I'm currently not working in my field of Biology. I want more degrees but money is short as is life. I guess I just have to be more persistent in going for what I want, huh!?
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sure your pay is great withall of those credentials-hopefully one day I will be able to say the same!
Rockwell
Ohhh cherries on the skirt would have been sooo adorable!
ReplyDeleteRockwell
I kinda feel just about the same as you-my degree sits in a file somewhere. I want to use it but currently there isn't an overwhelming need for forensic pathologists! I guess I should've come up with a backup plan!
ReplyDeleteRockwell
That is a really cute outfit and I think the blue shirt looks lovely with the skirt :)
ReplyDeleteI have a degree, I graduated last year and I think that these days it seems that you need more than just a degree to get a good job, sadly I am lacking in work experience. I hope that one day having that degree will mean that I earn more or have a better job than I could have done without one but really I am just proud of my achievement and glad for the experience of being to university.
You definitely need more these days. But how will you gain experience if no one is willing to take you in and give you the experience? It's life a never-ending circle of nothingness because people are lazy and don't want to teach anymore-they would rather hire someone who knows all the ropes already so they can sit back and relax!
ReplyDeleteAndddd, these days having a bachelors doesn't mean squat! You need multiple degrees to get ahead!
Rockwell
I knooowww! I honestly love dressing up but my camera situation has been a little shoddy lately. I'm gonna get better though...promise;-)
ReplyDeleteRockwell
Cute skirt! And I really like the necklace. It's so unique!
ReplyDeleteAnd as to the degree question.. I have a degree in Psychology and it's in a file case. I've never used it nor do I plan to any time soon. My dad made me promise to finish school when I got married at 18 and so I did. But all I want to be is a wife and mom, so that's what I'm doing. I guess it's good to have it just in case I need to go back to work, but the way things are right now, I'd be lucky to get a job at McDonalds! So for now, it stays in the file :)
I wouldn't trade my college experience for anything in the world. I might trade the money I spent on this unuseful degree though-for a job in my field that is!!
ReplyDeleteRockwell
Thank You for hosting. I shall be linking up again next week!
ReplyDeleteRockwell
Sooo true. It's not about what you know but rather WHO you know. Networking is a major factor for success with anything that you are willing to commit yourself to.
ReplyDeleteRockwell
Thank You ma'am. Can't wait to link up next week!
ReplyDeleteRockwell
I love this outfit. The color and pattern of that skirt are perfect.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the degree. I have mine in economics and finance and my job has nothing to do with either of those. Nor do I want a job in those fields!
http://fashioncuriouscait.blogspot.com
Im in love with the color red!
ReplyDeleteMy job has absolutely nothing to do with my degree either but I'm hoping to change that in the near future!
Rockwell
Love how you didn't wear just a white top with the skirt! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteKristine
www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com
Love the hip graduation look!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, you raised some critical questions! Unfortunately, higher degrees (especially in the currently competitive job market) can remove barriers to entering some fields. As someone with a doctoral education, I can honestly say that I acquired my most valuable skills while doing a job as opposed to in my grad program.
Oooh, I love the blue shirt! It's perfect!
ReplyDeleteI have a degree and I'm working in my field of study... But I HATE my job. lol I'm ready to switch careers, but don't even know where to start without going BACK to school for something else. At my age, with two kids, going back to school is the last thing I want to do! I just wish we didn't have to pick our careers when we're so young! Really, who knows what they want to do with their life when they're in the first year or two or college?!?