Dealing with the Private Section Mentality

MSgt Roger Younce — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 18:31:43 -0400

I am a 20 year USAF veteran. I have 4, 2 year degrees and over 20 years of training experience and I could not get a training job without a 4 year degree. What a joke!

Anyone else ran into this issue? I am pretty sure it happens often.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Jun 11 at 2015 7:47 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 19:47:10 -0400

I guess I got pretty lucky, as my company could care less about my degree. I did not take a degree plan that fell into my line of work because honestly I took it for fun. I still had one course left when I transitioned out and started my job three days later.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Jun 11 at 2015 7:48 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 19:48:32 -0400

I am still trying to adjust to dealing with civilians and their rather different mentality.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jun 11 at 2015 8:03 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 20:03:06 -0400

Welcome to the post-Recession labor demands and the reason why student loans/educations costs are such a huge issue. It's stupid, but increasingly, you need a degree even for jobs that won't pay enough to make paying for the degree actually worth it.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 11 at 2015 9:16 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 21:16:47 -0400

You would think there would be an ability to substitute real world experience for a piece of paper. In the end the experience is what matters. I think the "corporate mentality" is so stuck in neutral it can't get out of its own way. I worked for a company where even admin assistants (formerly known as secretaries) had to have a 4 year degree. The expectations are too high and salaries not in line with the cost for obtaining said degree. My wife has a degree but needs an education certificate to teach full time. in the meantime she subs - which requires a degree - and makes $80.00 a day. about 1/4 of what a full time teacher makes. it's insane!