Discussion of the Day
Earning money
Gaylen (Az-USA)Aug 15, 22
Do you think in this day and age an "education" is the ticket to a better paying job? Or does your life experience (what you know) and who you know get you that better paying career?
Comments
  • Merci
    Things have changed so much in recent years. I believe we need to spend the first 30 years of our lives learning (everything that will enhance our future desired lifestyles), the second 30 years earning and our last 30 years enjoying the fruits of our labours.
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    • Kristina
      Both..depending on who or what you want.
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      • Pato Lo Duck
        Both..
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        • Marian J 834320
          I think that Education does help for the future the more Education you get you will get a better job.
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          • Linda C
            Not necessarilly. We have many educated people on unemployment in Australia. I have found people who have uni degrees will not do mundane jobs they think is below them. They feel entitled to get a top job. Not all of course but more often than not. I admit though some of the jobs are so low paying that I doubt they would be legal. Now we are talking about bringing in 1000's of migrant workers to do the jobs whilst we are paying these unemployed. I do not think a person should have to leave their families to work on a farm for a small wage etc. Common sense has to prevail which unfortunately has never been the case here and elsewhere.
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        • Rose S 88496
          I think it’s a little of both as well as an attitude that shows you want to succeed
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          • Helen E 469767
            I think we missed having good nurses sometimes because the ones that are not picked to do the training are more suited to nuseing they may not be accidemic but good with other things. could be the same with other jobs as well.
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            • IdentifyAs
              Reminds me of that saying "so smart they are stupid"
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              • lynette t 333563
                I could not believe it when I aw an ad for a toilet cleaner and they needed a certificate to show fo the job.
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                • Linda C
                  Some years back my sister went for a cleaning job at a hospital. The line had 100's in it and they were interviewing for 2 places. She thought that was the only day but no they did this for 7 days. What a waste of everyone's time, money and pride.
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              • roger l 315504
                while some do gain status and economic security from a successful and extended academicsuccess it seems that having a 'hands-on' qualification such as that of plumber, eledctrician or technician ensures continual employment and an excellent standard of living and the opportunity to ensue a comfortable retirement when you want to retire
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                • Paula J 395266
                  It depends. I took a test at school and was told to get a job using my hands and not to work with figures. I spent my working life in the finance/insurance sector and it was my career. So much for the professionals. My husband on the other hand did attain higher education so his opinion differs to mine. If you want to be a doctor, solicitor or something like that then you do need education but if you want to be a tradie I see no need to waste time at school when you could be earning money. Our daughter left school at 16 then decided she wanted to do something else so went back to school, did very well and was the top student for that year and now works for medical specialists. Our eldest son wanted to work in a warehouse but later he too went to TAFE to study logistics and now oversees a company selling building materials. Our youngest son did a mechanics apprenticeship, then went on to become a diesel mechanic, however, after a serious motor bike accident found he could no longer do that type of work so went and got an HC license and has driven buses, cement trucks, semi's and other heavy vehicles and earns very good money. All of our children have left school then did a bit more study to get better jobs or jobs they enjoy, so while a little education is beneficial it isn't the B all and end all.
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                  • Linda C
                    Back when I was a kid the boys mostly all were put into apprenticeships and we had plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc. but then this stalled and we did not have enough in the 90's and now it has happened again. The young of today do not want to do apprenticeships. Not sure what they want to do with their lives. Probably sit in front of a computer screen.
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                • Su
                  Whatever happened to starting a job on ground level, proving yourself and climbing up the ladder. Today you need a certificate for this and that. Just because you jave a diploma doesn't necessarily mean you are better, it just may mean a better person for the job couldn't afford a tertiary education. Australia you are no longer the lucky country...
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                  • Linda C
                    My sister worked for the health department and started up an advisory kiosk type apartment handing out information for different places to go i.e. mental health, pregnancy, STD's, etc. Eventually they bought in someone with a Uni degree and she was told she had to get one if she wanted to keep working in this position - which she developed. More people came into the office, more pages and pages of data was required to see if one was eligable for the job and then she was out. The department shut down so quietly it disappeared without a whimper. It took some time for people to realise it was gone as they had nowhere to go to get the information they needed. Just basic stuff you cannot get most of the time. So, an educated person hired about 10 people and she and the 10 people eventually within a very short time all lost their jobs and the department became defunct. Education (UNI) is not always the best option. Common sense, practicallity, and working at ground level is often best. Of course, Doctors and such do need to upgrade constantly but that is a different field. One can gain knowledge in certain areas if they wish by returning to a place of learning of course.
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                • mary c
                  I feel so lucky that i was able to choose a health oriented career that interested me and that my parents paid for my three years study- which back in the 80s was relatively inexpensive. And those 3 years were possibly the best years of my life. Getting to graduate and find a real job and be responsible for real patients was a major shock. I never set out to get a well paid job, it was about doing something that I enjoyed. This is the first year i haven't worked (part-time)- due to the pandemic. I miss it so much- but thats the way of the world.
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                  • Paula J 395266
                    It would be good to be able to do a job you love that also pays very well. Ideal you might say.
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                • Dimitri T 100433
                  higher education higher paying jobs/careers & usually better heath
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                  • Glenys H 310155
                    depends what you enjoy doing for work.... some employment opportunities require a university education and others don't.
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                    • Poppy
                      Depends on the individual.
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                      • LESLEY S 385154
                        It is necessary to have money.
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                        • lulu
                          The higher the pay the higher the tax bill.
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                          • lynda e 390007
                            Your attitude has a lot to do with how the world opens up to you
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                            • Tim R 439287
                              Yes
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                              • Luke W 72035
                                Depends on the person, circumstances and industry.
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                                • Pat C 618241
                                  depends on the work area you want to follow. Back in the day I did all the things girls do to get a good job. Then the 2 biggest job lines to follow were - work as a Secretary or train for nursing to the highest level you could achieve. If all else failed work in a shop behind the counter waiting for Mr Right to appear. Now - all fields are open even for jobs usually associated with heavy industry, building, medical/surgery and everything imaginable for both males and females but also including the ever growing pressure of competence in digitally based jobs in all industries.
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                                  • Bill H 487635
                                    Big money in trades
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                                    • Carolina Z
                                      No. education these days are not as rigid as when i did my five degrees, saying this with malice towards none but charity for all..... degrees are now too easy to get
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                                      • Priscilla R 316016
                                        These days what you are taught in school doesn't stand you in a good stead for a working life anymore. Better to do a trade at 16 and work onwards from there. There's nothing to say you will continue in that trade, but at least you have something to fall back on if needed. Don't think there are many jobs in 'gender wokeness'!
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                                        • Jeanine R
                                          Well I think you still have to be careful and be able to pay money back or have a great plan to do so,. If not you can have issues.
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                                          • diane c QLD
                                            no comment
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                                            • Luv ur
                                              You commented by saying no comment. You wasted good space others could have used.
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                                            • diane c QLDLuv ur
                                              i chose to put that ,no one said i cant ,
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                                          • ASHLEY 742644
                                            Yes but common sense would be just as important.
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                                            • Gaza
                                              A bit of both with a lot of common sense thrown in.
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                                              • Debbie W 69651
                                                Some degree's are a waste and will never get you high paying jobs. It will always come down to the type of profession like Doctor, Lawyer or even a Plumber or Electrician etc who will earn the best money.
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                                                • Sonya F 68771
                                                  My son is a electrician went through tafe and he earns good money and has no debt of fees
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                                                  • Katzeye
                                                    While it's good to have a degree under your belt it is not always going to get you that high paying job- life experiences are more likely to advance you further in your career...My son has a degree in Commerce but unfortunately has not found a job in this area of work and currently works for Trade Aid making chocolate...Bottom line is he is earning an income and that's all that matters.
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                                                    • Judy C 96642
                                                      Can’t go wrong with a degree of some description
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                                                      • Merci
                                                        I believe that a good education gives one the ticket to a better paying job. I also believe that in these modern times a whole lot more work will be done by computers so one's education needs to be specialised or in areas that are not at risk from automation (mostly face to face work)
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                                                        • Luv ur
                                                          Yes that's true. You don't want a computer be your replacement.
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                                                      • Darren S 116121
                                                        I think if youve got the looks go for an only fans career and flaunt it and make the fast bucks while you can then be on easy street
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                                                        • Smiley
                                                          Unfortunately i think this could possibly be the way to go for some people. It's not for everyone, but those willing to give it a go, knowing of the pros and cons, can set themselves up nicely if they do it the right way and don't waste their earnings.
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                                                        • Luv ur
                                                          I think a small percentage of people can use their looks and a fan base following, as a money maker that will get them to a healthy retirement. But that said, there are lots of people who "don't turn heads" that stick with their dream of making a living off their looks(whatever they may be), bc they stick with it and probably spend a lot of time being a starving artist before they find their niche and make a good living and have a substantial following of fans.
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                                                      • TERRIE K
                                                        Education can get you in the door to a lot of jobs but hard work and determination is what keeps you there. Nowadays though, a lot of people get jobs because of who they know that can help them get that foot in the door, so to speak, but it still won't keep you employed if you don't work hard at it to keep that job.
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                                                        • MARGARET p 388156
                                                          30yrs ago when I completed year 12 and did two yrs in Business Studies .Tafe and Universities was free back than I got my first real job working for Ministry of the Education Department and meet a lot of high up people. One day they where down sizing and I was going to lose my position so one of the directors send me to the State Revenue Department no interview etc they informed me to start Monday morning. I had no idea what I be doing I later found out how I got the job by not want you know but who you know. Oh I end up staying in that job for 14yrs and became a supervisor and contractor for independent insurance companies . I guess now thing have change my son works for I.T company that requires 4rs University studies which my son has not but has done 1yr Tafe training they informed him they employed him because he has a lot of hands on experience and worked at I.T. companies while non of the University applicants meet their needs. Some time I wonder if it worth going to University for certain positions.
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                                                          • Maureen G-Melb.Vic.
                                                            It is who you know in my opinion
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                                                            • Ruth v
                                                              A good education will get you further than not having a trade.
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                                                              • Smiley
                                                                My eldest did their HSC and did quite well. They are now packing boxes in a warehouse. They don't seem to have any savings, nor have much in the way of street smarts. My second oldest left school with a year still to go but went straight into full time work and has saved most of his money. He seems to enjoy buying what he wants/needs as well as knowing the importance of saving money, he is also quite thrifty and has street smarts. While an education can be great, i don't think it is the only thing you need to worry about these days. Life skills and natural talent can often be just as or more important.
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                                                            • Ann H 652541
                                                              Any time is right for good educations whether it 30 years ago or right now the more you know the better off you are so good to school stay in school then you will know more than you did before.
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                                                              • Daniel T 626103
                                                                It depends on the industry and the Country you want to work in. I have found in Hospitality Experience trump's education, but training is a great way to get into the industry.
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                                                                • Luv ur
                                                                  That's very true in the hospitality industry. Thank you for your input.
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                                                              • Joe B 288252
                                                                Education every time, look at those plonkers in parliament. Not many truck drivers there…..lol
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                                                                • Luv ur
                                                                  Lol, no there aren't. Great wit.:)
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                                                              • Bugalugs
                                                                Education and Experience are the key. Yes, you can "get ahead" thanks to Mummy or Daddy but are you really any good at the great job they manipulate the system to get for you? Or are you simply regarded by others as a bit of a joke because they know they, or someone else, can do the job infinitely better than you? Successful companies have gone to the wall as a result of Mummy and Daddy using their influence. Intelligence, Education and Experience will always win out in the end.
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                                                                • Sandra C 12043
                                                                  Find your own way that you want to go. Being happy with the job is the most important thing. Think hard about what you would like to do, achieve and make the decision that is right for you, not for your parents or anyone else. You are a long time working, make sure it's what you really want to do, not what others want you to do.
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                                                                  • Jan H 753322
                                                                    Education is is necessary but there are many different pathways to achieve your dreams, some people study at uni only to never use the certificate they have studied! Life experience and working in the industry via apprenticeships is a good way to go
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                                                                    • Greg B 520364
                                                                      The world puts a lot on degrees. Experience is some thing you need later in life
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                                                                      • William P 589978
                                                                        Could be a blend of both, but it is inappropriate to generalise.
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                                                                        • Luv ur
                                                                          Yes, generalization is not efficacious. Everybody is different and not only one road leads to where you want to go.
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                                                                      • Lyn A.
                                                                        depends on the job you want. apprenticeship in trades is just as good university depending on the person. You don't get experience from "education". Just make sure as time goes on you have time to spend with your children if you have them and you get into hobbies that can be done in retirement.
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                                                                        • Roslyn A
                                                                          That piece of paper is the only way in the door. Experience is what makes you a success.
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                                                                          • Paul B 522937
                                                                            If you look at what people need then you have work for life . That’s why I became a plumber
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                                                                            • Luv ur
                                                                              Plumbers do very well and are always going to have job security. That's very important. Good point.
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                                                                          • Christina C 466456
                                                                            Depends what jobs you're going for, but with population increasing making job market competitive and a lot of the simple or dangerous jobs going to robots, it makes sense to upskill and have a future proof/specialised skill back up plan with education. It gives you a competitive edge - a young person with an education looks better to human resources than a person of equivalent age with no education. If you don't go the education route then you will need experience to give a competitive edge so work experience or internship is a good option. Sometimes volunteer work in particular areas that relate well with the company can be a way to get your foot in the door as well - example working for St. John ambulance looks good to many companies.
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                                                                            • Shey C
                                                                              It's who you know, but also your experience too. Some areas you need a degree to have a job
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                                                                              • boy blunder
                                                                                I think its who you know not what you know, but I have worked my entire life till I became a carer for my grandson and wife, and the best paying job is the one you are happy in no matter the wage,
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                                                                                • Robert L NZ
                                                                                  you must have a basic education, read write etc, but then its up to you as to what you do with it. Every day we learn something new , we never stop learning. Do what you love doing and you will succeed.
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                                                                                  • Sheree T
                                                                                    Not necessarily do they become a ticket to better paying jobs. My grandson is a forklift driver he made over 91 thousand in the last financial year and loves his job.
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                                                                                    • Maria B 89860
                                                                                      Gift of the gab and who you know seems to get people they want but can't really do, then pity the person who they bully into doing their work for them.
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                                                                                      • Luv ur
                                                                                        Yeah. That's definitely not cool to be "that guy/gal at work. Well put.
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                                                                                      • Maria B 89860Luv ur
                                                                                        Thanks Gigi M.
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                                                                                    • Tiffany L 690503
                                                                                      Most educated is completely useless in reality
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                                                                                      • Igor A
                                                                                        Not always as to some education turns to be useless. They do not know what to do with it.
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                                                                                        • Chosen
                                                                                          Work smart, not hard.
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                                                                                          • Luv ur
                                                                                            How about both?
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                                                                                          • ChosenLuv ur
                                                                                            Depends what its paying. I am not cheap.
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                                                                                        • Claude H
                                                                                          Higher education may eventually get you a higher paying job but those that start working early make more money at the start and have a job while the ones with degrees may not get the job they are after and still have a large student loan to pay off.
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                                                                                          • Eileen L 831279
                                                                                            I think if you can earn money doing something that you love it will not matter about your education or life experiences It's not always about how much you make who as the biggest house or the fastest car enjoy what you do and enjoy life
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                                                                                            • Tim P 93786
                                                                                              Itvappears in this,day and age,you need a job to get an education and an education to get a job "Catch22"
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                                                                                              • bill b 783563
                                                                                                college is no longer a requirement
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                                                                                                • allin
                                                                                                  for some folks school does not work, but life experience is the best college you can learn from for those/us folks, all that matters is that you can take care of family, life and live comfortable,, i spent a large part of my life in the wheelhouse of fishing boats, something i could not learn in a classroom, but for some folks, school is a must, you have to be good at something, and if you are a lucky person you will make your living at your hobby as i did,, i had no job for 27 years, i just went fishing, ;-))
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                                                                                                  • View all 3 replies
                                                                                                  • Luv ur
                                                                                                    Now that's living. Going off to do what you really like everyday. I wouldn't mind that. I did it as a young woman, but now it's seems work is alot of WORK!!
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                                                                                                  • allinLuv ur
                                                                                                    it is only what you make it,, now it's work as you are trying to get more and more money,, simple down your life to the things you enjoy and the rest will take care of itself,, you are the one in control,, ;-))
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                                                                                                  • Luv urallin
                                                                                                    thanks for the reminder of what's really important in this whole job thing. I just struggle to make ends meet, in fact I don't, my family has to pay half my bills bc of my disability and I can't get SSDI bc I didn't pay enough into the system due to staying home to raise my boys, which I wouldn't change if I could go back, but now later in life, I'm stuck. It's a catch 22, but I know there's an answer for me, I just have to find it. But making less and loving what you do is really important. Making more than you need and hating what you do is a problem I need to find a balance. Something PT that is feasible with my illness, and makes enough money so I'm self reliant.
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                                                                                                • gloria N 666866
                                                                                                  in todays world you need life experienve as well as a education. But it does depend of the job you want. Today a person needs to know whats going on around them and try to meet the needs of the job he or she wants.
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                                                                                                  • Darla T
                                                                                                    What you know and who you know can get you promoted but it does not compensate for the knowledge/credentialing that you need to get there initially.
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                                                                                                    • Catalina
                                                                                                      Education is important. But from my own experience, without life experience and knowing the right people it doesn’t take you far.
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                                                                                                      • 77ccusmc
                                                                                                        An education can help now and in the future. Even if you get a good paying job now you may need to change jobs, it is better to be prepared. The only problem is te cost of the education.
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                                                                                                        • Asesh S
                                                                                                          Education is important and so is experience.
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                                                                                                          • The dog house
                                                                                                            Education is important
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                                                                                                            • APB
                                                                                                              This may be an American problem...I am not sure...should the only reason for your career be that it is "better paying"....I hope that at least some people devote most of their entire lives to a career that involves something they love and care about...or something that is vitally important or makes everyone else's world a better place...we can all make very important contributions and these should never be devalued
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                                                                                                              • allin
                                                                                                                i knew you would get it A, and you are right about most folks here in the USA, got to get the big bucks no matter what,, not the way to go,, big bucks and big headaches, and they never satisfied, got to make more all the time,, rant over ;-))
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                                                                                                              • Luv ur
                                                                                                                Yes, loving what you do is paramount, but you also have to have financial security or you are stressed all the time about how you are going to make ends meet!!
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                                                                                                            • Megan K 659578
                                                                                                              Experience. An education sometimes is just a fancy piece of paper. Hardly anyone i know of that went on to higher education is using the degree or is in the field they studied for.
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                                                                                                              • Luv ur
                                                                                                                Oh yes, that happens alot. People spend years chasing a certain degree, then never put it to use. Hard to know what "you should have done". I think we have to live and learn. We are here in life's journey to learn, after all.
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                                                                                                            • Rhonda D 522615
                                                                                                              Life experience to me. But employers are still looking at your education. A combination would be the best.
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                                                                                                              • BLACK LIVES MATTER
                                                                                                                The world (and work) is getting more and more "connected" - due to technology. You will need an education. Furthermore, you will be working and going to school (online) continuously for the duration of your life - continuously upgrading your education (and job skills). In addition, you will have to learn to speak more than one language (fluently). The FUTURE is NOW!!
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                                                                                                                • allin
                                                                                                                  very true Walter, but there are a lot of folks that will still need to work with their hands,, need folks to build those schools, improve the infrastructure etc,, catch fish, but you are right connected, that comes with every job now pretty much,, ;-))
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                                                                                                                • Luv ur
                                                                                                                  Yes it is!!!!!!!!!The future is here and now. That's what I was agreeing with. It takes all types of jobs to make this world go round. We were never meant to be clones of one another in anything, but definitely career wise.
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                                                                                                              • Julie K 348980
                                                                                                                I would like to do some fence-sitting and say 50/50.
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                                                                                                                • Luv ur
                                                                                                                  There's ALWAYS a time and place to get up on that fence and just SIT. LOL
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                                                                                                              • Linda C
                                                                                                                Can be either or. Education is always a very good idea but life experiences is also very important. I have known people with all the degrees in the world and absolutely no idea in the practical sense. A good balance of both I think is necessary. This does not mean you have to have a Uni degree.
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                                                                                                                • 'smee,SWQ!
                                                                                                                  life experience!
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