Education Vs. Experience

The true problem with the unemployment rate and the job market goes further than just economic turmoil. I would say, sadly, that it has less to do with the economy and more to do with the job listings.

While I concede the fact that today's economic issues have caused countless businesses to file bankruptcy and/or fold completely; the job listings are just as wide ranged and desperate as ever. So, why aren't those jobs being filled?

It comes down to education vs. experience. As a wearer of many hats in my professional career, I would hope that my resume would speak for itself. However; after searching the classifieds recently for a second job to supplement my writers wages, I noticed some serious similarities in the classified postings.

Every job, with the exception of wait-staff, fast food, and "work at home"schemes, had the same requirements. Namely, they all required at least a 2 year degree.

The nation's push for higher education has started to outweigh, and de-value hands on experience.

Imagine with me, if you will, that you are a single parent. You went into the work force straight out of high school because life and responsibility demanded it. The needs of your family, the grades in your transcript, and the funds available to you weren't conducive back then for college to be an option.

You have struggled to build your career. From the ground up you have worked your way from entry level nobody, to head of your department. After 10, 15, or 20 years of answering to everyone else in your field, you are now the "go to" person for any and every need that arises.

Before you know what's going on, the economy tanks, and the firm you work for folds beneath you. Say good-bye to your security and hello to the classified ads.

You are the sole provider for your family, you need something new immediately, so you start small. You find an ad for a receptionist. You think to yourself, I have over 10 years of customer service experience. I've done it all, seen it all and heard it all. I'd be a shoe in for a position like this.

You read through the offered wages, and your eyes light up. You may not have to squeeze through the next month on unemployment benefits after all.

The job description reads as follows: "motivated individual needed to answer phones,direct inquiries to proper departments, take phone message, basic scheduling of appointments, some filing and clerical duties, as well as occasional back up for over flow to customer service."

You scan down the page to the job requirements to see if any of you previous training will be of added benefit, only to read the following statement.

"BS degree in business,or, business management required; no exceptions."

When the job market of this great nation requires a degree to answer the phone, there is a problem.

I will give credit where credit is due. The Obama administration is going through great efforts to promote higher education, and making sure that financial aid is available to those whom otherwise may not be able to afford that education.

However; Mr. President, Financial aid may get me into class but it doesn't put food on my children's table, pay my bills, or put gas in my car while I'm attending.

Taking college courses, to get a job, defeats the purpose when you need a job to sustain you while taking college courses.

I'm not the only single parent with this opinion. And, while it may not be a problem for me personally, it has caused distress among many of the friends and family members I have with similar situations.

I'm not saying that a college degree should be completely over looked, but I am saying that someone with obvious hands on experience should not be surpassed because they do not have one.

As someone who ran a company for a short time, I would rather have someone with a proved on the job record, than a 20-something year old straight out of school and never been tested. The value of those individuals whom have worked their entire lives to reach a goal should not be de-valued by a "rookie" in the job market.

Just my editorial stance.