Do you believe you can become successful without a degree?

[Ma Cherie]

Awhile ago, there was a discussion about weather an formal education is neccessary in getting a decent career. I wondered why some of my classmate's even bothered with going to college if they feel they would have been better off just entering the work force. A wasted investment if ask me. Anyway, as an economics major I've discovered some interesting statistics, and from what I've found out, even though you're not garunteed a job when you leave college you're less likely to end up in poverty. One of the reasons why I chose to go to college is that I know my time is better spent in school instead of looking for a job right now. Especially with being right out of high school and having no skills whatsoever. This isn't the case with everyone else. Some people can go out and get job right when they leave high school, but some people can't.

There have been people that have been very successful without a college education. Oprah Winfrey is a good example, she didn't even graduate high school. I wouldn't exactly say she was just lucky, I would say that she worked hard to get where she is today. So, yes of course you can be successful without a degree. But as I said before, this can't happen to everyone.

Yes, there are people who are struggling to get where they want and they the most formal education there is. But I have to wonder, what are those people doing to reach their goals?

 

[lexico]

Good question; and I guess you mean by successful landing a decent paying job, or a fulfilling job, or even something else.

As for the amount of money one makes for the average person, it could be said there is some correlation with an academic/professional degree/certificate and high annual salary. But that may not always be the case in this post-restructured times. Often is heard the stock phrase, "You are over qualified for the job." What a funny, anachronistic idea ? Applying pre-restructured thought pattern in a restructured era ! I've seen some people coming back to school because the economy wasn't good, and they'd rather spend the lean years investing in themselves rather than suffering with the economy. But what if it backfires from the funny idea of overqualification ? Holding a master's degree or a PhD could actually work against certain unfortunate people.

As for a personally satisfying career, it could help to get some formal education beyond highschool if there is something one wants to do specifically in this life time (not that I know there would be other life times. ) A lot of times, I find that getting information outside the school-library can be very tough. Yet the same could be said of certain specialized areas in the industry. I guess I could say it all depends on what one wants to do, and where one can get closest to that particular goal one has in mind.

 

[jarvis]

I don't think it really matters.

 

[Davey]

Yes you can get Sucses full even without a degree. i am not sucses full yet, but i believe i will be some day. okay im doing some courses now on being an english teacher now, but the thing i want Webdesign, i know i can be sucsesfull in that, as long as i come up with a good idea, learn my stuff. and get some good promotion etc. without a degree!!!

a good example are the guys from GOOGLE Larry Page en Sergey Brin. who found a great idea for the web, and stoped there school in 1998 , now a couple of years later, everybody knows GOOGLE, and it is the Most used Search program on the net. and is worth $25 billion.

or sporters, look at this Dumb *** David beckham, he isnt really smart, just he can play soccer VERRY VERRY well, and he has alotaaaaaaa Money..

this people have something special in them, and i think everybody have something special in them!!!!! just not everybody show it, or know how to use it!!!

so people Believe in yourself, because you can do it!!!! you do not always need a degree, just kick your ***.. and do something with what you can do .. im sure you peepz have it in you!!!

 

[Ma Cherie]

Very inspirational DB. Yes, what you say is correct. Knowing how to market yourself is a factor in determining weather you get a good job or not. I guess the real question is, how do we measure success. As lexico pointed out, success can mean several different things. But as far as education goes, you may not reqiure a degree in some areas. However, lets say you have to go in for some sugurey, I bet most of you would want a doctor with formal education. At least I would! So, what jobs require you to have a degree?

 

[Grandpa Frank]

I Always Had Good Luck With.......

the gift of gab. Almost every job I wanted I got by talking my way into it. I also am a firm believer in on-the-job-training. A good instructor can teach someone to do almost any job. As Ma Cherie said, there are a lot of jobs where a degree is a must though.

Frank

 

[Duo]

I beleive that you can be a smart well educated person withougt a formal education. School only teaches one so much, is what we reand and watch and think and elaborate and how we develop our inner thoughts and ideas that can lead us to good things. There are people out there with genius street smarts that can fool and phd professor or what not. However I feel school is very important. Education is the basis, the basis for you to be independent on your thinking, the basis for you to know basic things that will make your life more meaningful, the more you know the more you can weave together and build your conciousness about the world that we live in, the mroe you know the more you make your own world in your own eyes, your own design, you dont have to listen to other people, the more you know the more you can theorize and build a concept of what the world is and what not.....

 

[jarvis]

I would think the biggest thing a person could do as far as their future..is be their own boss....

 

[lexico]

Well you do have a point Jarvis, but there's also the factor of on-the-job training that's been mentioned a couple of times. There is a wealth of knowledge and skills that can be learned from an employer or a coworker although some things are better learned on one's own. Employment often entails training-- a kind of education that may not be possible in a school or self-employment setting.

 

[Davey]

be your own boss i like that, and agree. but first get expierence in working in a company before you do that, is the best then i think...

 

[jarvis]

In America you have to spend 40 grand in college on african studies and how to save whales and spotted nevada toads, before they even start to teach you about your future job feild..

 

[Ma Cherie]

In America you have to spend 40 grand in college on african studies and how to save whales and spotted nevada toads, before they even start to teach you about your future job feild..

Yeah, I know. That's why if you ever decide to go to college, you should learn about your job field ahead of time. That's only if you know what you want to do. On the job training isn't a bad idea, either. Espicially if you're someone who wants a hands-on experience.

 

[Duo]

I would think the biggest thing a person could do as far as their future..is be their own boss....

Well I tend to disagree. I wouldn't mind devoting myself to work for something I beleive or someone that I beleive in can make a difference for good or improvement. The world needs people in all fields. I think the biggest thing a person can do is to live a life based on principle. I wonder we always measure success in money and luxury and what not, but we never congratulate those who go beyond and suffer the consequences and are persecuted for doing the right thing. The ones who follow their instinct of good and morality, those who are incorruptable and unshakable in faith in their life's goals and boundaries. It is so easy these days to just turn a blind eye and it's so hard to sometimes stand up and not go along with whatever it is because you feel is wrong. To my mind comes many individuals who in the communist era in eastern europe endured great persecution and didn't once bow down their head, even in the face of death to those who usurped and opressed their countries. Or maybe you are familiar with the movies "A civil Action" and "the Insider", they tell stories of individuals with great determination and courage who almost loose everything and face great adversity and are in the darkest hours of their life, society is punishing them for doing the right thing, they are being buried alive mentally and physically but they have that will and unshakeble conviction that ultimately proves them right even though their life has changed forever and they have lost many things of their previous one. They said no to easy and comforting for their beleifs. Is this not what makes you successful and your own boss ? In my view yes.

 

[RockLee]

I think a degree is needed for the better jobs and more jobsecurity, only lucky people can make it without.Having ideas is 1, knowing how to realize them is another thing ;-).I believe there would be faaaar more successful people in the world if anyone could do it without a degree don't you think ?

The sad part of education is some people just can't afford it.
I think the government should compensate so everybody gets at least a chance !

Yeah, I know. That's why if you ever decide to go to college, you should learn about your job field ahead of time. That's only if you know what you want to do. On the job training isn't a bad idea, either. Espicially if you're someone who wants a hands-on experience.

Most people don't know what they want to become/what kind of jobs there are...that's my problem atm

Also I want to do too many things, I'm not interested in just one thing, I like Japanese ,Chinese has caught my interest recently (Hope to study there someday, as I want to in Japan) and I like working with computers.And the IT sector is sooo widespread I don't even know what kind of thing I want to do ☝

I still have to even graduate my current school..so many plans, so little money

 

[Davey]

I think a degree is needed for the better jobs and more jobsecurity, only lucky people can make it without.

i dont believe in luck that much, i believe more in hard working, and believe in yourself

 

[Iron Chef]

Bottom line imho is this:

Do you need to have a degree to be successful or even perform well in any particular position? No, not necessarily.

Does having a college degree and or some other kind of certification (academic or otherwise) lead to opening doors and potential career opportunities or contacts? Absolutely.

The reality is that very few agencies (or individuals for that matter) will overlook a lack of academic credentials as not being something of a hindrance. Regardless of whether or not what you learned at Uni was beneficial to your chosen profession, without that little piece of paper hanging in your Mother's foyer for all the relatives to see... chances are legitimate career opportunities may be few and far between.

 

[DoctorP]

I don't believe that a college education is necessary to be successful. I'm 34 and don't have a degree, and I consider myself pretty successful. I make a good enough living that my 3 kids aren't lacking for anything! Am I rich...hell no! But we are comfortable and happy. I went back to school last year to earn a degree, but that is only because the job that I hope to do will require a degree.

IMHO, on the job training is much better than a degree. Anyone can pick up a book, read it, and gather the necessary information from the pages. Just because someone graduated college doesn't mean that they have the skills necessary to succeed in the job market.

 

[lexico]

The sad part of education is some people just can't afford it. I think the government should compensate so everybody gets at least a chance !

So true !

Most people don't know what they want to become/what kind of jobs there are...that's my problem atm

Hey you are not alone in that. I only clearly saw what I wanted in my life in my late 30's; it was still fuzzy all thru my teens and 20's. What torture !Master Confucius said, 'ﾅｽOﾂ十立ﾅｽu, ﾅｽlﾂ十不ﾋ彷.' So the sage was definitely more focused at the same age, but not that focused either.

Also I want to do too many things, I'm not interested in just one thing, I like Japanese, Chinese has caught my interest recently (Hope to study there someday, as I want to in Japan) and I like working with computers. And the IT sector is sooo widespread I don't even know what kind of thing I want to do ☝

I still have to even graduate my current school..so many plans, so little money

You are well motivated, and that is good ! With just a little planning and focusing your interests, you could probably accomplish more than the average person. Just one at a time, and you'll get there !

 

[Ma Cherie]

I don't believe that a college education is necessary to be successful. I'm 34 and don't have a degree, and I consider myself pretty successful. I make a good enough living that my 3 kids aren't lacking for anything! Am I rich...hell no! But we are comfortable and happy. I went back to school last year to earn a degree, but that is only because the job that I hope to do will require a degree.

IMHO, on the job training is much better than a degree. Anyone can pick up a book, read it, and gather the necessary information from the pages. Just because someone graduated college doesn't mean that they have the skills necessary to succeed in the job market.

Well, I wouldn't go as far as saying that. I would say that on the job training is probably better for some people instead sitting in a classroom, and I would say the same for someone who's in college, being in school is probably better for them. But there are several reasons why people choose to go to college, and it's not always to get a good job. Some people want to provide themselves with the luxery of learning. I chose to go to college because I wanted to interact with people from different cultures. I feel that college is a good place to do that. And I feel that although having degree isn't always neccessary for the job market. Having educated people can be beneficial to society in the long run.

 

[Duo]

What really we should realize is that a lot and i mean a lot of people end up doing something completely different from what they studied or trained for. Life can take you so many weird directions.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Boy, How Right You Are !!

What really we should realize is that a lot and i mean a lot of people end up doing something completely different from what they studied or trained for. Life can take you so many weird directions.

I grew up watching police shows like Adam 12 and thought being a policeman was the only job for me. I spent 2 years busting my tail in college studying law enforcement. While in school I volunteered my time to 3 local departments to learn more. After just a year working in the field, I hated it.
I ended up working in the automotive business ,with a father I hated, for 20 years. Now days I'm a nurse. If anyone had told me what my future was going to be, I would NEVER have believed them. I guess the point is, you don't know what curves life is going to throw at you. Be ready & open for anything.

Frank