Yes. I am in south/central NJ, close to the Philly metro area. I work a block and a half from Princeton University and there are dozens of colleges and universities within an hour of my home.
No. Northern Texas. They may actually be educated, but they sure don't seem like it. One of the many, many reasons I can't wait to move away from here.
No. I live in North San Diego County, on the coast. We only have a community college here, rather than a large grouping of universities. My area is heavily military, and while I love the military, and lots of military members are smart and very good at what they do, I get flipped off a lot and my Obama sticker was defaced at Costco a couple weeks ago. I feel like that wouldn't happen to anyone's sticker in an area with more education, because people can entertain a thought without accepting it when they have educated, rather than visceral reactions to things. I also think that most people in the military would support Obama if they had more education or just a clean slate when it comes to politics, but maybe that's wishful thinking.
You must live in Oside. San Diego county tends to be very republican so its not just an Oside/North County thing. Most of the people that I work with do not have a college degree (@ my US location).
Entirely dependant on where you are in the Bay Area ... Marin, SF proper, Oakland/Berkeley Hills, Peninsula .. yes. Once you cross the Caldecott Tunnel, the brain drain begins ....
I am depressed that my state only has 34.5% with BA degrees... and its one of the higher rates.
As someone opposed to education inflation--the increasing "need" for everyone to hold at least a four-year degree--this doesn't depress me. Really, most entry-level jobs do not require knowledge beyond what a traditional high school education or two-year associates'/trade degree provides. Yet all these jobs "require" baccalaureate degrees. The result is undergrad degrees are basically worthless now, since so many people have them, so companies who want the best candidates are asking for graduate degrees for positions that really would benefit more from straight experience than advanced education. For example, my first job at my company was as the front-desk receptionist. Answering phones and planning meetings (e.g., ordering lunches and setting up conference rooms with beverages) were my main responsibilities. The posting for this job stated a bachelor's degree was required. Really, a high school diploma and common sense would have been more than sufficient. I think education is great, and going to college is a valuable experience for many people, but I don't like seeing it become "necessary" to get any job out there, you know?
I am depressed that my state only has 34.5% with BA degrees... and its one of the higher rates.
As someone opposed to education inflation--the increasing "need" for everyone to hold at least a four-year degree--this doesn't depress me. Really, most entry-level jobs do not require knowledge beyond what a traditional high school education or two-year associates'/trade degree provides. Yet all these jobs "require" baccalaureate degrees. The result is undergrad degrees are basically worthless now, since so many people have them, so companies who want the best candidates are asking for graduate degrees for positions that really would benefit more from straight experience than advanced education. For example, my first job at my company was as the front-desk receptionist. Answering phones and planning meetings (e.g., ordering lunches and setting up conference rooms with beverages) were my main responsibilities. The posting for this job stated a bachelor's degree was required. Really, a high school diploma and common sense would have been more than sufficient. I think education is great, and going to college is a valuable experience for many people, but I don't like seeing it become "necessary" to get any job out there, you know?
I really think saying that unless someone has a 4 year degree they're uneducated is...not cool. An AA degree is still a college degree. You still have to go to school to get a trade degree.
There are PLENTY of jobs out there where a high school diploma or an AA or AS would suffice just fine. When I got laid off and was looking for admin assistant positions, almost every one required a bachelors. A few required a masters. For an administrative assistant. Not even an executive assistant, or a paralegal. Just a regular AA. You do not need a BA to answer phones, schedule meetings and travel, put together presentations and file stuff. Seriously.
I don't really understand this argument. The fact that not all jobs require significant education doesn't negate the fact that someone without a degree (whether 4 year, associates or whatever) or equivalent schooling is uneducated.
Post by MadamePresident on Aug 28, 2012 13:25:27 GMT -5
Most of my friends have/are earning a Bachlor's degree. (I promise I'm not a snob.) I'm in a big city and we have several universities. Its the norm to go to college right after high school around here.
According to the census data 33% of people in my county have a Bachlors degree and 92% are high school graduates.
Do people seem educated where I live? Like in all of Los Angeles?
I don't even think I know how to answer this.
People seem educated in my neighborhood. LOL.
What she said. In my neighborhood in LA County, yes. The people here are very educated. My son is in first grade and they are already talking to the kids about college and what they want to study. My ds claims he is going to be an engineer.
I know several people with Master's degrees (including at least one with an Ivy BS and MA) who have administrative assistant type positions. I'm not even quite sure how you make it in NYC without a graduate degree....
Mildly tongue in cheek since I work with poor people, and when I'm talking about clients, having a GED or HS diploma is a significant and somewhat unusual achievement.
But I think a lot has to do with your circle of acquaintances.... if you have a graduate degree you're much more likely to have friends who have college or graduate degrees because you met them in school. If you work in a field where a graduate degree is required you're much more likely to know people who have a graduate degree... The vast majority of the people I see on a regular basis (other than clients) are either teachers or social workers, and in NYC both careers require a Master's degree. I went to a prestigious undergrad, and a lot of my remaining friends or acquaintances I know from there so understandably many went on for graduate degrees.