Do I Need a Degree?

I know I probably don’t have to go back to school, however it’s always been an issue for me (and my parents) that I never finished. And my husband and I currently have the means to send me back.

We married young and we decided that I’d stay home with the kids. But it wasn’t enough for me so I started a small child care business on the side. Now I want to do something more, but the problem is that I don’t want to spend two years finishing school just to realize I can’t find a job anyway. Do you really think finding a job is that easy without at least a bachelors degree?

I’m not below waiting tables (I’ve worked a lot of service jobs).  I just don’t have any desire to be a 50-year-old waitress. I guess I always assumed bachelors degree=better access to jobs=better pay. Is this not the case anymore?

Have I been out-of-the-loop that long? Won’t I be competing, at every level, with kids that have way more college than I do? Even our local barista has an MFA (I’m not really sure who’s point I’m proving now).

1 reply
  1. Penelope Trunk
    Penelope Trunk says:

    I think the most important part of this email is that your mention your parents. They are the one’s who you are going back to college for. Don’t do that. You have accomoplished too much already in your life to worry about how they are judging you.

    Here’s something i know: Very few people email me with good questions about how to do their life. So just being able to do that — to find someone who can help you and then ask a good question — says a lot about you. It makes me think you will be fine wihtout a college degree. I would never care if someone had a college degree when I was hiring them.

    Also, you are going to have to start at entry level whether or not you have a college degree. People with college degrees start at entry level just like everyone else. You can compete because there are some jobs where people want to hire someone their own age.

    Also, if you are tyring to get a job that is not entry level, that’s a good goal. Focus on that instead of college. Get an internship so you prove your worth and you get something on your resume. Work for free. That’s a good way to start.

    You are doing a good job. Self-confidence is what you need now – not a degree.

    Penelope

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