New Degree

[TruePaige]

With this "Degree Inflation" does anyone foresee a usurper to the Phd?

 

[MercenaryYoureFired]

I think more importantly, what does this make people with only HS diplomas? Completely non-viable in the work force and equal to a middle school education? Or does this just mean people with BA/BS are getting the jobs they're qualified for, and people with HS diplomas are getting jobs they're qualified for? (as opposed to the HS Diplomas getting jobs they're under qualified for).

 

[Zugzwang152]

No, simple supply and demand. As supply of advanced degree holders increases, there will be increased competetion for jobs, which will cause salaries to fall. As salaries fall, the demand for the degrees will weaken. The cycle will repeat itself until a equilibrium is found. While the "inflation" may increase, I doubt it would be enough to establish a formal level of education higher than PhD.

 

[silverpig]

In physics this already happens. A Ph.D is superseded by one with 2 post-doc terms added on.

 

[BoomerD]

Jedi Master > *

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: MercenaryYoureFired
I think more importantly, what does this make people with only HS diplomas? Completely non-viable in the work force and equal to a middle school education? Or does this just mean people with BA/BS are getting the jobs they're qualified for, and people with HS diplomas are getting jobs they're qualified for? (as opposed to the HS Diplomas getting jobs they're under qualified for).

If they learn a trade like plumbing or carpentry what it will make them is very well off.

 

[Hacp]

Originally posted by: silverpig
In physics this already happens. A Ph.D is superseded by one with 2 post-doc terms added on.

I think that reality exists in all the sciences

 

[TridenT]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Jedi Master > *

Indeed.

I highly doubt we'll get to the point where you need a PhD in business...

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: MercenaryYoureFired
I think more importantly, what does this make people with only HS diplomas? Completely non-viable in the work force and equal to a middle school education? Or does this just mean people with BA/BS are getting the jobs they're qualified for, and people with HS diplomas are getting jobs they're qualified for? (as opposed to the HS Diplomas getting jobs they're under qualified for).

If they learn a trade like plumbing or carpentry what it will make them is very well off.

Yep. I dropped out of high school, got a GED a few years later. I went into a union apprenticeship where I made crappy wages to start, (about double minimum wage) and after 3-1/2 years, became a Journeyman and union scale was pretty decent money.
Currently, in this area, union carpenters make about $28/hr, plumbers about $40/hr, and equipment operators about $35/hr.

I had to be lazy as hell to NOT make at least $50K per year, and most of the last 10 years I worked, I made between $75K and $98K...overtime really adds up.

I realize that not everyone who doesn't get some "Master Wizzard" degree will ever make that kind of money...but construction CAN pay very well for those who can tolerate the work...and working conditions.

 

[DaveSimmons]

It depends on the field. For software development a BS CS or CE is still all that you need.

 

[LumbergTech]

I think its good for society to require degrees...its just a matter of making sure they are available to everyone who puts in at least a decent amount of effort