Do you think those with an education should get more money then experienced ones

I agree that its not necessary to go to college - you can still have a inborn or parent learned work ethic and and ability to stick to a project and succeed, and have analytical thinking. I myself will have a lot of college - my mom didn't - but was vice-president of an international development firm and proves that you don't need a degree to have all of those things. She was an analytical thinker, had an outstanding work ethic She was just brought up to be a wife and mother so when it was time to go to work - she oould only get a certificate type thing for school - she had to raise her family. She worked very hard, I'm very proud of her.

I guess I disagree. My mom learned on the job and she was very skilled at what she did. She was the only one they trusted to go negotiate with governments and such - and get what needed to be done done. She wrote proposals then won them contracts with the state department and the world bank over and over. An education doesn't ensure that the knowledge 'sticks' that the information wasn't memorized, regurgitated for the test and then forgotten. While the knowledge learned and skills gained from someone working in their profession each day, without FORMAL education, stays because they apply it daily. Rather then going through four to eight years of schooling and only knowing the area theoretically. I think its very unfair to say that eventually someone with a FORMAL education will be superior and more qualified than someone who has been in the business all of their life and learned everything on the job. And had the innate business sense, negotiating skill, people skills, managing skills etc. That said, I love school and learning. I want to learn everything there is in my chosen field, then start working and learn to choose what works from my education, and have the innate intelligence and creativity to come up with new ways to make things work.

No I am not saying every company. But there are some out there that value that piece of paper over on the job experience. And I think that is so wrong.

Me too. :)

Are you saying in every situation, in every company, the graduate may and WILL catch up every time? Why should the seasoned employee, who learned on the job and knows it inside out, get a lower salary, what about all of their hard work, their learning on the job? Whose to say the one with the education will remember everything - four years - with no direct experience - maybe it got learned for tests and forgotten. From what you say, the one with the degree - could hypothetically be an assistant to the one without, and be making the exact same salary - or more - then their own boss... I say this, and I'm planning on multiple degrees. :)

Again, there is no a clear cut answer for that :-) There are many factors that should be considered here. Someone who just graduated from the University but he has other skills and knowledge that may be beneficial to the company, he should be paid at least same with someone who has 5 years working experience. Please don't get me wrong here. Experience is important but we also need to know what kind of experience someone has. If his experience is only based on bookkeeping journal entries, administrative and data entry stuffs, it will be different with someone who just graduated and hold a Master Degree of Accounting, for instance. Also, someone who just graduated and hold a degree in a computer science, it will be different with someone who has many experience in computer because of training. In a computer science degree, the more current your knowledge is the better your skills are.

No answer, just opinion. There is no right or wrong here. :) Hmm not sure quite how this relates. My question wasn't would someone with the same education and experience be paid the same at one company or another but whether YOU think the one with the education should be paid more - at graduation - then the person who has been in the field for years and years. So what do you think?

:) your avatar is cute.

yes its so true. but people who study further on their own while working, are in the minority. then theres also the type of research jobs where a freshly graduate will never get a top job.

very true. zorro girl I'm soooooooooo tired, I must sleep, but I thank you wholeheartedly for participating in this discussion. I think there are so many situations. In general though across the board, I think its unfair of those who say that graduates should ALWAYS in all situations get the job, promotions and more money. yator .

Zorrogirl - Thank you! I didn't even think of that - that is sooooooooo true. And my husband, who is taking Space Studies will likely be on the cutting edge - although the few years they're in school - there may be new tech - computers change fast - oh and I guess I'm actually making a blanket statement, to be fair, there are some people who can learn the recent technology on their own - like those who teach themselves languages or music.

Great answer! Only some believe, experience is an education in itself - some believe more valuable then education because of the real world applications. I'll have to come back and read this because I'm not sure I understand. You say, "Education is valuable and so is experience. It just depends on how you apply both on the work that you do. " So which is more valuable depends on how you apply it? So if you apply experience in the right way - its more valuable but in the wrong way less? I guess I've found that sometimes the requirements aren't logical. There may be someone who has the job experience of years - so knows how to do the job and do it inside out yet no 'formal' education in the field, and he doesn't get the job, it goes to the young graduate. So I guess my point in the discussion was - are the systems and standards companies follow really fair, and more important, logical? Should graduate get the job, the promotions, the salaries over those who are seasoned in the field for years? I think you hit the nail on the head with your first line!

Oh I know, that's kind of what I was aiming at as well. I agree about the pay. You shouldn't get paid more until you have proven as the seasoned employees have that you deserve it and never never should you be paid more just because you have the degree - thats saying that because of that piece of paper you are better, more deserving and a better worker then the person who has a proven track record. Even to assume the person will be equal - catch up to the person - well if they are equal in job quality - then they deserve equal pay. Ridulous to pay more for a piece of paper.

I so agree, if you have the knowledge, the on the job experience and EDUCATION you shouldn't be passed over for a job, promotion or higher salary. I'm pursueing higher education but I want to be hired based on what I know, my experience - which is why internships are great - and how my personality will fit into the organization - which actually - unless you work by yourself is key. If I'm not someone who say likes working with elderly - and don't know how to interact - and I apply my degree to a job in a nursing home - square peg in a round hole as they say. Happy mylotting Granpa Bob!

I so agree, if you have the knowledge, the on the job experience and EDUCATION you shouldn't be passed over for a job, promotion or higher salary. I'm pursueing higher education but I want to be hired based on what I know, my experience - which is why internships are great - and how my personality will fit into the organization - which actually - unless you work by yourself is key. If I'm not someone who say likes working with elderly - and don't know how to interact - and I apply my degree to a job in a nursing home - square peg in a round hole as they say. Happy mylotting Granpa Bob!

This is very true, and you're on the job and learning the newest trends and programs too.

Thank you for your opinion on this matter! :)

I appreciate that you consider both university and work experience equal in gaining knowledge.