I Have an Associates Degree and Cannot Find a Decent Paying Job
Meet The Poster Boy
WAY to much is put on formal education in this country. You take all of these "core" classes in school which have no relevance in life whatsoever. I know that you have all thought the same thing a time or two so you might as well admit it. Now, do I agree that it is extremely important...yes. I think that it is more important that someone who works hard, has moved their way up the ladder and PERFORMED in the corporate world, to be able to find a comparable job. It is nearly impossible.
Let me give you an example. I was in the running (final three) for a job with a federal government office. I have years and years of experience in exactly what the job required. I interviewed well (told by the individuals that interviewed me) and this would have been the perfect job. The individual who got the job "qualified" for a higher grade because she had a Masters Degree in Public Administration EVEN THOUGH she had not performed ANY of the job functions in the real world. Do you see a problem with this???? I do.
The point with this is that yes, the job market is flooded with Bachelor's Degree's and fresh college grads looking for jobs that pay 50K a year. Most of the kids DO NOT want to work hard. They want to be coddled, do things slow or not at all and think that you should deal with it because their "smart." For the most part they are lazy and will end being a detriment to your company...believe me...I have seen it first hand.
Would it not make more sense as an employer to bring someone on that has proven that they can succeed even though they don't have the "formal education?" I would. Apparently hiring managers and Human Resource professionals do not feel the same....this is a real shame because there are countless others in my generation that are out there that are encountering or will encounter the same fate.
In closing, if you are someone who makes decisions to interview or hire someone at your company...give the guy like me a shot...you will be happy that you did.
Published by chosen1
Community and Economic Development Expert View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentPersonally, I can relate to everyone here. I am 41 years of age and did not feel old until I was asked on several job applications if I was over 40 years of age. I have over 15 years of experience in the IT and Finance field. I achieved my Associate’s Degree in business with a 3.8 GPA, but I am finding out quickly that Bachelor Degrees are the major requirements for most businesses. So, I do believe that Associates Degrees are truly overlooked. Although I am presently pursuing my BS in Computer Science, I truly believe that degrees in general are overrated. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Michael Dell are good examples of that. Companies lose when they only look to hire people with Bachelor’s Degrees or higher and it is truly the reason why we are in a recession.
However, I do say to all, no matter what age, keep pressing forward, keep looking for work, and keep going to school; and most of all keep pursuing your passions. Never give up and never quit, but keep fighting until you h
I, also, am having the same issue. The only difference is I'm 41 years old and have over 20 years of customer service and office experience on top of my associate's degree. I have been unemployed since July of 2008 and can't find anything. I've even applied for jobs that I'm over qualified for and they won't hire me because they think I will eventually leave for a better job. I just finished school and I'm getting ready to go back for my BA. Oh and I'm a certified Coder!! Yeah the job that is on EVERY website in the top right corner that says its in demand!!! hahaha Well where is in demand? Ohio is definately not in demand for anything! Good LUck to you and hang in there.
I am running into the same problem. I'm 24 y/o and have jaw-dropping experience. I'm not kidding. I've interned, temped and worked at great places and have a ton of computer experience. Except I have an associate's degree. I feel as if people scroll to the bottom of my resume & see Associates degree and immediately write me off. I'm a terrific writer and spent time composing my resume. I bet they don't even read it. I can't believe my experience and computer skills (i can type 100 WPM) isn't enough. I went to a 4 year private university for a year, then left...at the time, it wasn't for me. I was much too young & immature. I re-enrolled at my community college and graduated with a 3.7 GPA, honors society, school newspaper. Yet I can't find ANYTHING!! I have even applied for jobs I'm overqualified for, like a clerical aid or filing. I haven't heard back. I've even applied to be a receptionist at doctor's offices.....I haven't heard back. I'm so dejected. I want my bachelor's degree, but
It's not any better for people with a BA/BS. The article is right about one thing, the market is just simply flooded for basically all majors. Nursing and accounting are the last holdouts.
with the recession getting worse and worse right now, I'm in the same boat as you. I currently have 2 associates degrees with plenty of experience...I've applied for at least 30 jobs within the last month and have been turned down because I only have the associates degrees. I am only 22 yrs old but I graduated from high school with PLENTY of college credit courses already finished. I know that I can still go back to school and get my bachelors (which I might end up doing bc working at walmart for the next 2 yrs is just plain crap)-but finding a job right now with only an associates in your field is almost zero to nothing...for all you people who are graduating from a 2 yr college-TAKE MY ADVICE!!!-GO BACK TO SCHOOL and get your bachelors...it will save you many hours of filling out job applications for a company that probably wont hire you.