Rete

Why do I need chemistry or physics? I didn't even take them in college.

FWIW, there was a lovely letter in the editorial section of our local paper this past June from a college graduate who attended her sister's high school graduation.

In essence the letter concerned itself with the school's policy to publicly recognize those who were members of the honor society, those who placed with the top 10% of the class, gave the name of the college that a graduate had been accepted to for September's new semester.

She felt, as many do and as I myself do, that those students who were not top achievers but still were able to graduate and those who were top achievers but chose not to attend a college immediately after HS graduation were slighted.

As she pointed out not every profession requires a college degree. Plumbers, electricians, construction workers, secretaries, word processors, etc. are just a few professions that earn good money and are not required to have a college degree. Both men and women in these professions will be able to earn a wage that will support a family, purchase a home (type, size depends on geographical location), send a child to college with the help of grants, student loans, home equity loans. They can be just as knowledgable about the arts and literature as a MS degree holder.

No one person should be made to feel inferior based on their education. At one time in history in this country, an attorney did not have to go to a university to become an attorney. They could study under an attorney and pass the bar, or what equated to today's present bar, and practice law.

So bear that in mind. The world needs all levels of educated people. As long as they are doing what they like to do and are working to their complete satisfaction, no one should feel they are above them.

Soap Box has been put away.

violator_dm

I wonder how many people with high school diplomas can do that? (teach at ANY school)

Ray

Who could to afford to work as a poorly paid teacher ...

violator_dm

"They could study under an attorney and pass the bar, or what equated to today's present bar, and practice law"

Rete, aren't you a paralegal? Then you should know that there are states where it is OK to take the Bar without going to law school, but do the "office study." Of course the Bar passing rates for those are abysmal.

ian-mstm

This isn't an either/or situation... as much as you might want to believe it is. However, all else being equal, I'd hire the guy with the high school diploma... he'd be less expensive. I know this, because you wrote that college graduates earn about 1M more in their lifetime... and I figure they have to start somewhere.

Now, rhetorically, the answer is the college graduate... but that's only if education is a factor. You don't mention experience which, in many jobs, is far more valuable. At any rate, since you know in advance that you'll have to pay the college graduate more, then if profit is important, perhaps that might be a deciding factor.

The problem with your question, generally speaking, is that it isn't comprehensive enough to take into account myriad variables - any one of which might tip the balance of the equation. As I said, it isn't simply an either/or situation.

Ian

violator_dm

For Washington DC (local for me)

Elementary school teacher average salary $51041
High school teacher average salary $53227

Source: salary.com

I think making over $50k is alright, considering that the teachers' union is one of the strongest in the country catering to the Democratic party. That just means that you'll get more in benefits and raises.

Ray

Umm!! well I retired 10 years..and earned more than double that
without a degree .. even then ...

violator_dm

Education is the only factor provided in the question. That means that it is the only factor to be used in the decision.

You can't talk about profits, margins etc, because you don't know what the job entails. How about rocket science? Would you still hire a high school graduate?

Here is another interesting story. Another friend of mine, who is a very bright attorney who wrote briefs for the Supreme Court, applied for a job with the State Department. His experience included leading projects against torture, other human rights initiatives. The job was perfect for him as his expertise in the area of human rights was above and beyond. The problem was, that he was a JD and not an MA. The State Department passed on him (he was one of the two candidates considered), even though the hiring manager told him he was better suited for the job than the other guy. But the government guidelines indicated that he had to have MA. Yet, USCIS officers whose decisions affect livelihoods of millions, don't even need an AA. I just think there is no consistence here.

violator_dm

Well, we don't know that. At least I provided a source.

Rete

Nah ... not us. That's a Brit's normal way of life I understand ... bending the elbow from Noon onwards

Ray

Well I retired at 49 ..... I still manage ...

lulu204

I had a friend back in Boston with a similar issue....

Violator, it seems nobody wants to hear this kind of argument in this particular forum...sad, especially as you provide relevance to the USCIS issue.

I remember my AOS officer - lovely chap in all honesty, but had only been in America himself for four years (he was Asian)...kept complimenting me on my *beautiful english accent and pronounication*...I had to help him out over a couple of words he was reading on one of our pieces of evidence. My hubbie and I were exchanging incredulous glances....

I mean, what's there left to say?

Rete

Not any longer. The Commonwealth of Virginia was the last one and they did away with that a few years ago.

ian-mstm

Okay then... I'd invite both for an interview. Why? Because if I invited only one, some government pencil pusher would cite EEO violations and discriminatory hiring practices!


So, the problem isn't so much with the HR department, as with the guy who wrote the guideline! Still, it's a shame.

Ian

lulu204

HEAR THAT EVERYONE??!?!!?

She's just insulted the Brits...