Are college degrees actually worth pursuing?

[Timothy Platt]

While I continue working towards a Doctor of Business Administration degree through Argosy University – Chicago, I am haunted by a persisting thought that reoccurs each semester when I get my student loan award letter. That question is: Is an advanced degree worth pursuing?

We hear how people with degrees statistically earn more than those that do not have a degree. But those are statistics. Most CEOs of major corporations have a bachelor degree of some sort; so their highly inflated incomes skew the statistics on the rest of us. Studies actually point out that lifetime earning are not improved through the receipt of a degree for most people.

For me, with a Master's degree in management, employers only look at my trucking background. I am not given serious consideration for having advance management credentials, I am overlooked because I am only a truck-driver. So, experience tells me employers are more interested in job experience among older applicants; degrees mostly help youngster who are lacking in job experience.

Nevertheless, I continue on each semester. I went through a BA program, then through an MSM program; and now I am pursuing a doctorate. But, I cannot escape my trucker's past.

Is my situation common?

[Elizabeth Sheppard]

I do think that a college degree or an advanced degree IS important. Think of everything you have learned in your classes. Maybe you just have not met the right employers yet. People learn so much earning advanced degrees. I'll bet there is a job out there where your credentials are respected. Or when you are done, you will know enough to help make a company a lot of money, I think, OR make yourself a lot of money with a great idea. Plus you will make connections at school that may be the doorway to something new. I wish you the best of luck in your educational journey.

[Mary Davis]

Betsy has a really good point about networking. Often you can make some great contacts in grad school, in addition to learning about opportunities and where to focus your future career efforts. I'm very impressed with your persistence. Good for you, not giving up! I imagine you'll find a way to combine your practical trucking experience with your academic background. You may want to do some research. By finding out what others with your intended degree are doing, you may feel reassured. It always helps me feel better to be informed. It's uncertainty that makes me doubt. Best of luck. Keep us posted!

[Timothy Platt]

Well Elizabeth,
For someone who knows nothing about business, a business degree may teach the person allot. And, my experience has shown that most people pursuing advance business degrees know very little about business. They are pursuing the degree in belief that it will give then an opportunity for a career they have, thus far, been denied. I have yet meet anyone who actually advanced substantially because they obtained a degree. And, as for networking, since most of the students are lower ranked employees, I have never met anyone who could help a fellow student get a job.

[Cheryl Ammons]

I completely understand your apprehension, I struggle with those same thoughts myself. I'm am working on my master's now, and with the job market, with each student loan letter I'm thinking "I hope this pays off", and not just leaving me in more debt!!

I think there's many reasons why we return to school, and though financial gain is probably foremost for most of us, Elizabeth has a point. I know that I'm a much more rounded, interesting and interested individual than I was before I went back to school. I was a secretary and maybe I can't excape that practical part of myself either, but the fact is, we're doing it. So let's hope for the best.