I use knowledge from my undergraduate and graduate education all the time in my job (which requires a college degree and prefers an MA as well). My undergrad degree is in international politics and then I did the MA portion of a PhD in political science (dropped out of the PhD program when I got my current job offer because by that point I hated my PhD program anyway).

I'm satisfied with my compensation. I'm in my dream job, have excellent benefits, and virtually can't be fired (I work for the USG). Between my job and my husband's (which also requires a college degree), we are in the top 1% of HHI's, so I'd say our degrees have paid off.

I wonder if people aren't bothering to answer what seems like a silly question.

Yes, I use my degrees every day of my life, as I wouldn't have my job or anything remotely like it, if I didn't have them. They are absolutely necessary credentials in my field. But it's not just signaling--I learned a lot of useful information and skills in college and grad school. And college especially enriched my life and helped shaped the way I think. But I was an intellectual-minded student studying liberal arts at a very good college. Perhaps people who studied more technical subjects, or who viewed college as a place to learn a trade felt less enriched by college (or weren't seeking enrichment). But then I don't consider college to be trade school. I believe college is about education more than it is about training.

I'm in the 95th percentile of wage earners in the US. So yes, I am well compensated. I have a B.A. in political science and a master's in public policy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, so only the medical Dr and the school teacher report requiring their degree for work yet college was a worthwhile experience nonetheless for others. Sorta what I expected. Thank you! OP here.

7 people on a discussion board ain’t exactly a scientific study.

And she miscounted. The PhD required a BA's content to get into the advanced studdy.

My college degree was in philosophy. No job ever requires a philosophy degree, but I have never held a job where writing well wasn't a major portion of the job and I learned to do that in college.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, so only the medical Dr and the school teacher report requiring their degree for work yet college was a worthwhile experience nonetheless for others. Sorta what I expected. Thank you! OP here.

7 people on a discussion board ain’t exactly a scientific study.

Wow, so only the medical Dr and the school teacher report requiring their degree for work yet college was a worthwhile experience nonetheless for others. Sorta what I expected. Thank you! OP here.

I have a BS in Elementary Education, which is the minimum requirement. My MA is in Reading and Literacy. I'd say my compensation is fair during this, my 25th year of teaching.

I have a BS and MA in economics and I truly never use my degrees. I needed general business acumen which I mostly learned on the job. Oh, and I can make pie graphs in Excel, which apparently impresses a lot of people.

I met DH in college, and he’s the love of my life, so it was all totally worth it.

I am a pediatric dentist, so I worked with my degree every day and I think it pays pretty well, but it is a demanding job physically and mentally.

OP, do you live under a rock?

Neither of my careers required a degree. I am very well compensated.

My current job requires a PhD. I'm reasonably well compensated, but compression at the top of the GS scale kinda sucks.

Anonymous wrote:Dropped out after 1 yr of phd program in humanities bc of poor employment prospects. Got a job that requires only a HS degree, except the competition for the job generally meant a college degree. For the type of job, relatively well compensated, 6 figures most of my career, now in post mid-career stage. Upper middle class. Perks of this job includes stability, no lay offs, plus a comfortable retirement system that allows me to maintain my lifestyle.

PP again. College did not impact my life in terms of finances. However, I got to study what I wanted to study and do what I wanted to do as a free spirit in my 20s. College has enriched my life emotionally and intellectually.

Dropped out after 1 yr of phd program in humanities bc of poor employment prospects. Got a job that requires only a HS degree, except the competition for the job generally meant a college degree. For the type of job, relatively well compensated, 6 figures most of my career, now in post mid-career stage. Upper middle class. Perks of this job includes stability, no lay offs, plus a comfortable retirement system that allows me to maintain my lifestyle.

Does your current employment require a degree? Do you feel well compensated?

Thank you!