What do you consider uneducated?

[Anonymous]

I speak well, I have travelled, I like to read and learn new things, but I
only have an associates degree. I feel like people look down on me, so I have thought about going back to school for my BA just so people see me as "educated."

Be honest, would you consider someone with an associates to be uneducated?

[Anonymous]

Not necessarily, especially if you have other life experience or have reached a certain level in your field. My BIL has an online BA, and I still think of him as uneducated (but mostly because he didn't really get anything from his degree other than the paper). In general, I think of someone with only a high school diploma and no other professional certificate as uneducated.

[Anonymous]

Nope. I think it has more to do with ignorance than education. You don't need a degree to have intellectual curiousity.

[Anonymous]

No, I wouldn't consider you to be uneducated. You sound like a lifelong learner. You're obviously literate. Traits that would make me feel someone was uneducated would be willful ignorance and an assertion that he/she already knew it all. Boorishness and being uninterested in reading would put the nail in the coffin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope. I think it has more to do with ignorance than education. You don't need a degree to have intellectual curiousity.

Clearly I'm also uneducated.

[Anonymous]

Are you asking about a formal education including degrees and time spent in school? Or being knowledgeable in general and not ignorant? There are many people with the former but are ignorant. And there are many people with the latter but not the former.

[Anonymous]

I have a J.D. But my grandmother grew up on a farm and only finished high school. She's the one who taught me how valuable traveling is. She taught herself about music and art, and was the one who took me to museums and classical concerts. She also taught herself another language. She worked in a library and was by far the most well-read person I've ever known, even now 20 years after her death.

I respect and admire her knowledge of life, culture, etc. much more than my degree, even though I'm very happy to have it as one of my accomplishments in life. But more importantly, I cherish how she motivated me to learn through living.

I write all this so that you will truly believe me when I say I'd consider you well-educated.

[Anonymous]

No one knows what degrees you have, OP, unless you tell them.

[Anonymous]

I could see if you wanted to get the degree for yourself or if you need it for your career. But don't do it because of what you think other people might think. Who cares what they think. Don't live your life trying to please others or gain acceptance from those who would judge you solely on such criteria. Life is too short for that shit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one knows what degrees you have, OP, unless you tell them.

+1

[Anonymous]

I too, only have an associate's degree. From a community college no less. However. This weekend I read two books. I research stuff constantly. Love talking with people who think differently from me to understand their viewpoints. I am attracted to people (as friends) who are smart.

When I think of uneducated, I think of my grandma, and then the woman my grandfather got together with after she'd died. My grandmother had a high school education. She read the newspaper every day, and did a crossword puzzle (NY Times) each morning. She went to the library weekly, and would debate ideas with us.

The girlfriend also had a high school education. She did not read for fun, did not go to the library on any sort of regular basis. She discouraged my grandfather from doing daily crossword puzzles. She became angry and somewhat hysterical when her ideas were (politely) challenged. I think of my grandmother as educated, and the girlfriend as uneducated.

OP, I understand your desire to get a bachelor's degree if you want to feel you are .... on the same level as others. People are often surprised when they find out I don't have a bachelor's degree, which I take as a compliment. Maybe you are seeking out elitist snobs? Go back to school because you want to learn, or because getting that degree will help you obtain a higher-paying job. Not because of what others will think of you. I just want you to do it for the right reasons. Because where will it end? The majority of people I hang out with have post-grad degrees. If you were me would you go back to school until you "match" them with a degree from grad school? What happens if you get in with a group of doctors? Are you going to feel you have to go to med school next?

In my experience of having very frank discussions with people who have the degree you're considering, what comes across is that they value their experience for the friends they made, the opportunity to meet people very different from them, and the living-away-from-home experiences. The majority of them didn't learn much more than you did, or that you can't get from (as Will in Good Will Hunting said) $20 in library late fines.

[Anonymous]

I never think of people in terms of educated/uneducated. I've met too many people with fancy degrees who know nothing about the world around them. I understand your insecurity though OP. I like living in DC, but will never get used to the way people try to size you up (education/career) before deciding whether or not you're worth their time.

[Anonymous]

I hate to be the party pooper, but yes. I have a few dozen employees and I do consider those without at least a 4 year degree uneducated. If it matter I consider those actively pursuing a college degree or having an associates as equally as smart as me, just with less opportunities in life and give people a lot of credit for going back to school (especially part time) later in life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate to be the party pooper, but yes. I have a few dozen employees and I do consider those without at least a 4 year degree uneducated. If it matter I consider those actively pursuing a college degree or having an associates as equally as smart as me, just with less opportunities in life and give people a lot of credit for going back to school (especially part time) later in life.

I agree. Reality check.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate to be the party pooper, but yes. I have a few dozen employees and I do consider those without at least a 4 year degree uneducated. If it matter I consider those actively pursuing a college degree or having an associates as equally as smart as me, just with less opportunities in life and give people a lot of credit for going back to school (especially part time) later in life.

What field are you in?