Well, that's ONE reason...
Many years ago, I was between jobs. I was tired of the restaurant business, and decided to get out of it. We were in fairly good shape money-wise at the time so I said "I'm only applying for non-restaurant jobs." Now, a restaurant general manager has to know how to manage several different type jobs. He has administrative duties and often has an administrative assistant, so he's an office manager. Turn over of associates is high, he has to hire and train people constantly, so he's a human resource manager. He verifies bills for payment, makes deposits, maintains cash security, so he's a financial officer. He constantly deals with the public, so he's a customer service manager. Not to mention the government agencies (health department, Wage and Hour, OSHA, etc) so he has to be a compliance manager. You get the picture. I had been doing this for roughly 20 years. So, for the next thirty days, I diligently searched newspapers and stuff for opportunities. I sent out something on the order of 40 resumes in that 30 days. Guess how many responses I got, not to mention interviews.
Zero
Well, that's not entirely true. From one company I got a form letter postcard saying thanks for the resume. I couldn't wait any longer. I sent out three resumes to restaurant jobs and was back to work within a week or so. There's a friend at work facing the same deal as we speak. She was told that retail experience is a "joke." I'm convinced that it's the lack of a college education on that resume. Just that one line that says "B.A. Auburn University 1978" (I went there to take Commercial Art. I lasted two quarters, September '74 - March '75)
A college degree says "I can focus on one thing for four years and finish." It shows that a person can complete a laid out, systematic method to reach a goal. If the degree is applicable to the job under consideration, it says that the applicant has an aptitude for that field.
THIS IS WHY MY BOYS ARE GOING TO COLLEGE. I want them to have options. I want them to be able to change careers when they're 35 and ready for something different. I don't want them stuck in a field or job or career or organization or with a supervisor they detest because they were too lazy to go to class. They're good kids, they deserve the chance. And somehow, someway, I'm making sure they get it.
I agree that education is important, but I fear that the cost may put it out of reach so that middle class American's can't afford it for their children. I was at a college funding seminar last night, and walked out with the following observation:
ReplyDeleteIf you you have lots of money, then you can buy an education.
If you are truly broke, they will give you an education.
If you you work hard, and provide for your family, you will likely have to mortgage your house, and cash out your retirement to pay for college, or saddle your child with loans that will be an albatross hanging around his or her neck for years to come.
When I was getting ready to go to college, I had a great opportunity to work construction work for my father. It was an opportunity for a fair wage for hard work. Working this job every school break and summer, I was able to "mostly" pay my way through a private liberal arts college. I even had some spending money. I look at the cost of that same school now, and there is no way a person without a degree could work their way through school and not end up with a massive amount of debt.
Of course, we parents want what is best for our children, so we will help them pay the debt after college. We hope they receive some merit scholarship money. And we worry if there will be a job anywhere when they graduate.
I am beginning to fear the "American Dream" is no longer achievable for the Middle America. I am learning that we have bought in to the fallacy that everyone is above average, and every job in corporate America really requires a college degree. This is not Lake Woe-Be-Gone, "Where all the men are strong, the women beautiful, and all the children are above average." (Reference: "A Prairie Home Companion") We live in a world where the "bell curve" is reality. The majority of use fall in the middle. The majority are really average. We have average looks, average intelligence, and average abilities". But society has has bought into Lake Woe-Be-Gone view of reality. Everyone is above average, so every job with which anyone can truly make a living must be predicated on having a college degree. And the college degrees are being priced out of the reach of many. The only way many can get a degree is to have "Uncle Sam", really the tax payers, pay for it in grants, subsidized loans, or selling yourself to the U.S. military for a number of years. Like everything else, where government has meddled, the costs have risen. The G.I. bill is great, but because the government will pay it, the schools have simply raised their prices. Kind of sound like the price of medical care.
With that said, I will sacrifice in hopes that my children can also achieve the "American Dream".
I have also heard the argument that college is not worth the money, that a degree does not prepare you enough to justify the cost. Whether that's true or not, companies still use the degree as a measurement of an applicant's potential. All you have to do is read a few help wanted ads, and see that the only education requirement in most of them is "College degree required". Not even a degree in that field.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I've always believed that the value of a great education is incalculable.
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