When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

Is your reaction to wonder if they didn't have the money, the patience or drive, or be smart enough to finish? Even if it's a fleeting moment, even if it changes later when you get to know them better, have you ever thought less of someone if they had no degree at all?

There's a guy in my office who compares his level of degree and school with anyone he doesn't like. Meanwhile, there's at least one person who works here that is degree-less and makes $15,000 to $20,000 more than he does, with an expertise he could never hope to attain.

No one has ever said anything to challenge him on this, but I think it's pretty crass. I know we have a whole lot of people here who have worked very hard for many years for their degrees. I just wondered if anyone had that kind of reaction - to think less of someone if they don't have any degree at all.

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

I don't have a degree, I have a certification in dental assisting but I get a negative reaction a lot

Message edited 4/20/2009 1:16:15 PM.

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

heck no....most people I know with out degrees make MORE money then people I know with them

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

I don't judge ppl based on the education received. I have three degrees my husband has none - I can still have intellectual conversations with him. On the same note, I worked with morons who have degrees.

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

I dont think any less of someone because they dont have a degree- but I am often curious as to why someone didnt have one- especially if someone is very successful or bright

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

I don't have a degree -- so I NEVER judge someone who doesn't have one either.

While I know that its better to have one in this day and age, I don't think having a degree necessarily makes one smarter or more driven than non-degree people.

I have friends who have some serious education, yet lack the common sense couldn't find their way out of a phone booth...while other people I know never went to college and they close to six figures easily. And I know those who are the reverse of the examples I just gave...degree or not...everyone is different and I don't judge on level of education completed!

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

College degree - no, never. People don't go to school for various reasons. Just because someone doesn't go to college does not mean they are not intelligent, nor that they haven't had the experience to be high up there in their field. What about the people who started and had to stop for some reason? I'm proud of my degree, but it's really just a bullet point on my resume to me. I honestly learned so much more from working with certain individuals than I ever did in college. Now I want to go get my Masters, but again, it's just so I can put it on my resume.

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

No never. Because everyone has different dreams in life.
Some people want a career or job that doesn't require a degree... so there would be no reason for them to go to college for years and years...

Instead they might go to a trade school, training program, etc...

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

I 100% believe that a degree doesn't make you a smarter or a better person. Period.

Yes, you may be more knowledgeable on certain topics, and I am very proud of my degree, but I am VERY close to a large number of people that have no degrees at all and they are all intelligent, caring, and have varying degrees of success.

And just because you have a degree does not necessarily mean you won't make a decent or even a great salary. Just like the opposite is true. I have a degree from a "prestigious" university and my construction worker brother makes DOUBLE what I make. So, there you have it.


ETA: AND I try not to judge when it comes to something like that because you just never know what someone's lot in life has been. I grew up in a neighborhood where most people barely graduated high school - I'm like a freak of nature for my area. I know the question was not so much about judging, but I just wanted to put that out there - sometimes it's just not possible for someone to go to college or grad school for a number of reasons.

Message edited 4/20/2009 1:42:45 PM.

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

nope! i can honestly say i don't. i have a few friends who knew that they were just not cut out to go to college. they were making LOADS more $$ than me way before i finished school and are experts in their field. they also happen to be very, very smart guys.

so when i hear that someone doesn't have a degree i am just curious as to what they do for a living, that's all. because sometimes it takes more work to get to where they are than just going to college!

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

I voted other. My first reaction is to think they didn't value a formal higher education.

There could be a number of reasons why...they could have been very successful & started a business where they were doing well. I discovered long ago that a college degree does not equate to someone being more intelligent, earning more money or having more drive.

I know plenty of people who have more drive & ambition, are more intelligent & earn more money than the people I went to college with. And you don't have to be smart to go to college or driven to go to college.

I think your co-worker is insecure if he's continually bringing up his college degree. How old is he?

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

I mean lets be honest here-any moron could get a college degree. All you really need is some money or the wherewithall to find funding(scholarships, financial aid, etc.) I did my time at a large university and my company requires a degree since we work in Higher Education, but I could have just as easily found a position that did not require that.

So no, I do not think degreed people are better than anyone else. When I was 18 my friend and I both wanted to go to cosmetology school. My Mom threw a fit and I didn't go. My friend did and makes double what I do and owns her own salon. However, she is on her feet all day and breathes in chemicals...so who knows

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

No because I don't have a degree ...

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

Not at ALL.

Not everyone takes the same path in life and to be honest, I REALLY admire those who take their own path, rather than the one that everyone else takes.

I've personally found that some of the most interesting, intelligent, think-out-of-the-box people that I've met haven't obtained their college degrees. My husband is just like this - insanely brilliant, so much so that he had real problems in school because his thought patterns and processes were SO different, and not always accepted by his teachers who stuffed conformity down his throat. His path was much different - he didn't finish his college degree until the year after I met him, well into his mid- thirties.

But it didn't matter for him, because his entrepenurial spirit persisted, and even without the degree, he managed to startup his own business.

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

Nope, never judge

i know people with no degree (like myself, i just finished some college no diploma) who make more $ than those with one.....

it depends on your what your job is, your skills, your employer, etc.

I don't equate degree with money or intelligence

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

Um no.

My father had a high school diploma and 2 years in the army. Then he took my grandfather's retail business and made it a success. He bought a house and paid for 7 college degrees without so much as one loan. He was a great business man. I also know PhDs, EdDs, JDs and MDs who struggle daily.

Between DH and myself we have 4 degrees and we will be lucky if we will be able to send Abby to a city or community college when the time comes and we have already made investments for her.

Frankly, I think that not everyone is college material and that more children should be encouraged to learn a trade where they end up having an invaluable skill that will make them more money than those of us with degrees. I simply can't do my job without my degrees - they are state requirements.

Re: When you hear that someone doesn't have a degree [Poll]

I don't have a degree and I have a paying job and can pay the bills.

My father doesn't have a degree and has an extremely successful business and is what I would consider wealthy.

My Dh doesn't have a degree and dispatches firemen, policemen and ambulances to emergencies.

I could care less if you have a degree or not, as long as you work hard and strive to achieve your goals.