[skr]

It’s drummed into our brains that college is how one earns higher salaries; there’s even a TV commercial (man buying wallet from Asians who are laughing at him as they hand him a tiny wallet). It may even be true that what was once considered a good high school education now requires at least the first two years of college to catch up to the old standard HS diploma. But a person who is willing to self-educate while they’re working is logically a better hiring risk to an employer.

My college degree helped in one job (but perhaps not as much as what the stars told my employer who believed in astrology). The job didn’t really require a college education; OJT was how one became proficient. At present, my degree apparently makes me overqualified for everything but unemployment, yet my bills don’t care how I earn what pays them.

[cripplecreek]

But a person who is willing to self-educate while they’re working is logically a better hiring risk to an employer.

I'm a high school dropout and a willingness to learn has always been my advantage. I became a paint room foreman because I learned things, not learned things because I was a foreman. I learned to program, maintain and operate a bank of robo painters, all the pumps regulators etc.

[BenKenobi]

“At present, my degree apparently makes me overqualified for everything but unemployment, yet my bills don’t care how I earn what pays them.”

I feel your pain. Hang in there.

I’m the same, except I’ve been fortunate not to have to go on unemployment.

[BenKenobi]

“But a person who is willing to self-educate while they’re working is logically a better hiring risk to an employer.”

Yes and no. It totally depends on the employer. Some will look at just the degree. Some will look at no degree and reject you.

I’ve been on both sides of this equation. I personally see how being willing to self-educate is helpful once you’ve got your foot in the door. However, I don’t think it helps very much these days in getting employers to take a chance on you.