A Different Road To Work, Bypassing College Dreams: Is a College Degree More Important Than Experience?

by thezilch Posted 2012/07/30 17:00:00

Related Topics: College, Work, Employment, Work Experience, High School, Student, Graduates, College Degree, Student Debt, High School Graduates, NPR

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357 votes
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	A college degree is the most important	83 votes	23%
	Experience is more important	274 votes	77%

NPR.ORG reports:
With college costs rising and student debt mounting, some high school graduates in Charlotte, N.C., are opting for an alternative route: European-style apprenticeships. One straight-A student has shifted her sights from an international relations degree to becoming an engineer.

european-style apprenticeships straight-a student shifted sights international relations degree engineer

+17

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Heisenberg 2012/07/28 23:13:51

Experience is more important

+7
I wasted my time and my parent's money on university.
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More polls by thezilch

Seeker of Truth - War Wizard 2012/07/30 21:07:25

Experience is more important

+1
I don't have a degree... just 20 years of experience in my industry, which keeps me in demand.

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WhereIsAmerica? ~PWCM~JLA 2012/07/30 20:55:42

Experience is more important

BOTH are important, but experience will get you the job even without the degree sometimes.

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angel face 2012/07/30 20:43:25

Experience is more important

People without a college degree can get a job faster than one with a college degree. Why? Don't know

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Twinky 2012/07/30 20:41:22 (edited)

Experience is more important

+1
It depends on the job...

plumber - experience

theoretical physicist - degree

doctor - degree

(I'm currently studying a Masters degree!)

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Stan Zebell 2012/07/30 20:10:14

Experience is more important

+3
With most places I have worked and most people I have worked for, college degrees get you in the door (IMHO wrongly). Once in, they believe they are Gods gift to the place, reality slaps them square in the face and it is only through these experiences that the educated incompetent settles in and learns the tasks he was hired to do.

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Raven 2012/07/30 19:59:56

Experience is more important

College degree compared to experience mmm... While a lot of degree holders on the job think they are know it alls because they hold a degree their performance just don't compare to the worker with experience... The richest people in the world aren't even necessarily degree holders... In fairness it's also one of those questions where it depends... I wouldn't thrust a doctor without a degree but I'd pick an experience worker in matters of business over a degree holder anytime...

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Chris D 2012/07/30 19:50:24

A college degree is the most important

Get educated, then start your career.

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Geswin ... to Chris D 2012/07/31 01:16:17

I agree & that's my dream Since I am a 22 year old who has no degree , yet.

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Geswin ... to Geswin ... 2012/07/31 01:16:56

& besides who need common sense anyway when you are educated

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JERSEYDUDE 2012/07/30 19:43:27

Experience is more important

common sense

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tori 2012/07/30 19:41:56

Experience is more important

You can learn alot from experiencing a situation. You cant gain experience from being in a classroom. Some one teach you how to do something for years, but you have to actually do it to be truly skilled.

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JCLadybug 2012/07/30 19:31:24

Experience is more important

You can't replace a degree for positions that require a BS/MS/PhD, etc. However, after the degree experience is most important. Getting experience in your area during college is the smartest move and can make all the difference in getting a good job after college.

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GLaDOS 2012/07/30 19:28:18 (edited)

Experience is more important

+1
Even with schooling, you need experience, so it's probably the more important of the two. It would be nice if more people saw the potential in blue-collar work.

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Diana 2012/07/30 19:15:47

A college degree is the most important

+2
What happens when you lose that current job? There are alternate ways to get a college degree like online learning or start off at a local community one. I strongly believe that everyone should have a plan B. I worked and went to school and graduated with experience and the degree. There is no reason why some people can't do both.

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GLaDOS to Diana 2012/07/30 19:31:30 (edited)

+1
What happens if they lose that current job? Then they have the references, and the experience to get another one that is related. Normally, these types of jobs are the "plan B."

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Diana to GLaDOS 2012/07/31 02:53:44

+2
What types of jobs? In a tight economy companies are getting lean and mean and are more picky about who they hire. Companies will look at the candidate with the experience AND the degree. So like I said its best to have both.

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GLaDOS to Diana 2012/07/31 20:22:17

Barber, machinist, electrician, locksmith, plumber, tailor...

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Katt 2012/07/30 19:13:06

Experience is more important

+1
I always thought "hands on" experience (depending on subject) is more important and a better way to learn

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Chris 2012/07/30 19:10:41

A college degree is the most important

+1
but it really depends on how bad the job sucks. Most jobs that don't require a college degree suck! Let the rednecks and the Mexicans work those low grade jobs.

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GLaDOS to Chris 2012/07/30 19:34:47

+1
Yes, being a jeweler sucks, I'm sure...

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lucky 2012/07/30 18:52:06

Experience is more important

+1
A degree opens doors, experience is actually knowing how to do your job.

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Lady Whitewolf 2012/07/30 18:52:03

Experience is more important

+1
There are some things you can't learn through reading a book and sitting in a classroom.

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JingerJewels 2012/07/30 18:36:35

Experience is more important

At this point

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MusicMan 2012/07/29 13:59:32

Experience is more important

+1
Ideally, one's life preparation should include both, , but experience counts more. Education in whatever form can be acquired along the way.

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Arianne 2012/07/29 04:58:39

Experience is more important

+1
Depends on the job.

I wouldn't trust a doctor without a degree for example. But there are jobs where experience bypasses the degree

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gary ® 2012/07/29 02:19:30

Experience is more important

Not everyone is degree material. The ones who are should go to school. Not all trades require a degree, nor should they. Science, medical, tech support, and higher education are definitely degree driven. Think about it ... if EVERYONE has a degree, then NO ONE has a degree.

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Squatch 2012/07/29 02:03:09

A college degree is the most important

First I agree with all of you who put experience is more important BUT We live in a society that values education. I did not graduate with a B.S. until I was 41. I finally learned that if I wanted to be successful in American society I had to learn to play by American society's rules.

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GLaDOS to Squatch 2012/07/30 19:35:38

Depends on what you want to do.

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Squatch to GLaDOS 2012/07/30 19:44:16

True

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nbarton2 2012/07/29 01:53:41

Experience is more important

I've learned more from work then I have from the 3 degrees that I have, if it wasn't for the experience those things would do me no good. Now if I was a mathematics professional or something that might be different but we need to get back to basics and start trying to get people to learn and work in trades

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Htcbm1 2012/07/29 00:40:28

Experience is more important

+1
I'm a firm believer that "if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life"... There are too many people who have strapped themselves down with student loan debt with a degree that isn't marketable or who have access to a career that they wished later not to have gotten into... The desire and the willingness to put forth the energy to finding what it is you love to do will make more sence than to waste years of time and money to find yourself miserable...

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LibertyCaroline 2012/07/28 23:42:16

Experience is more important

That would depend on, if having a college degree to gain experience.

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Donnie 2012/07/28 23:31:45

Experience is more important

+3
experience says what you can do a degree says what you might be able to do.

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tblackb 2012/07/28 23:30:56

A college degree is the most important

experience will only get you so far (glass-ceiling) because its a job. a college degree makes it easier to gain experience and once you do the sky is the limit because you have a career. additionally, you can take your college degree and use it anywhere in the world. you can't do that with experience...

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Stryder 2012/07/28 23:30:30

Experience is more important

+2
It all depends on the individual and their circumstances. In my case, my administrative experience I acquired in the Navy helped me get to the position I'm in now. I've taken quite a few college courses, but I don't have a degree nor do I need one.

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Heisenberg 2012/07/28 23:13:51

Experience is more important

+7
I wasted my time and my parent's money on university.

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America... to Heisenberg 2012/07/30 20:01:53

I agree, you seem uneducated.

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Heisenberg to America... 2012/07/30 20:43:10

+1
From you sir, I am flattered.

What year did you graduate MIT?

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America... to Heisenberg 2012/08/01 21:04:25

I did not go to college.

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Heisenberg to America... 2012/08/01 22:22:14

Are you immune from irony?

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