[Ms. X]

Edit post.... Thanks for replying

[sadz]

Because usually if you dont go to school, you're working at a low paying job.

They don't know what his profession is, do they?

And how do they know he doesn't have a degree anyway... does it really matter what they think? You *can* be like "my bf doesn't have a degree, but he's an airplane mech etc. etc."... but what's the point?

It's not about the education status, it's about what they're capable of coming out of college.

And usually people who didn't go to college (not saying all) don't have that great a job. (which many people are led to believe, I do too, but there are exceptions of course)

College isn't SOLELY for bragging rights, it's about what they get out of it (which usually is a lot, because it's killing me >_<), the bragging rights just come with it

And it's true the other way around, you don't need to feel bad if you don't have a degree, all you're missing out on is a bit of bragging rights, but if you're just as good as the next guy who came out of college (or better) who's the ignorant idiot now?

[hotspicedcider]

Well... I'd like to think that I have bragging rights by saying I spent 4 years in a respectable undergrad program, and that i will spend 5 more years in a dual professional degree/ MBA. Surely the title PhD, MD, PharmD, MA, MBA, must give you some bragging rights (it HAS to for the amount of money and time you spend inventing in that education). But the truth is that you don't necessarily need those degrees to be succcesful. Case in point... if you look at some of the richest ppl in the world, some of them didnt finish their college degrees.

I don't claim to think ur bf doesnt deserve as much respect as you or I deserve (shame on me if i thought that way). im sure he is a great guy, with a strong character, and with a higher IQ than a lot of college students. But... come on.... in the world today, people will judge you solely based on what school you went to.

Now... I am a strong supporter of a higher education because you simply learn how to think differently if you have the right professors. you look at the world from a different light, and i believe it only helps you on the long run. Now... if you ask me if education = bragging rights... my answer is a definite Yes. However, id also like to argue that an education does not equal arrogance, a sense of grandeur, or a holier than thou attitude.

[knickstorm]

education puts you in a better position depending on what you want to do.......it might be bragging rights while you're in college, but once you graduate, bragging rights goes to whoever has the better job regardless of where they went to school.........heck if i went to some state school and ended up with teh same job as some ivy league kid, i think i'd actual have the last laugh

[ChunJin]

There's paths in education-life.

1. To stop completely because it is too difficult.
3. To stop general formal education to pursue specific education informally.
4. To continue formal education and end up with a degree.

1. worst choice.
2. risky choice, but it requires insane resolve and a bit of luck.
3. not-so-risky and very safe.

However, bragging rights should pertain. If it was your life on the line would you trust it with a second rate surgeon or someone who learned it formally? Same with buildings (my field -> civil & environmental engineering) and other things where peoples lives depend on knowing detailed "technical" information.

I don't mind if someone tells me they're better than me . If they are, let them be. However, it normally pushes people to do better than they would normally. Which is more important than my ego.

[little mixed girl]

i don't think you should go to college for "bragging rights".
that sounds like something an elementary school kid does after their parents buy them a ps3 or something.

those type of people will look down on him because they need to compare themselves to others to feel better about themselves.

i would wonder why he decided not to go to college, and wonder about what other things he might be able to do without a degree.
but i think that looking down on someone is...

[cavil.]

I am in a contrary position compared to my fellow posters above.

Sometimes in this world we equate "bragging rights" of whatever nature to the attainment of college degrees. But you've got to understand that our society has made it like some kind of mechanical process to go to college because that's what everyone else does essentially. It's weird because many of us do not what we want to do positively or confidently in the first year or so. Even the future freaks us out.

I am a big supporter of education. I don't mean education in going to higher education, technical schools, and all that jazz, but the education of self. Learning through your channels and harnessing your own abilities.

Mostly, it sounds like your boyfriend just took the first job that he thought he'd excel in and wanted to opt out because of whatever reasons. He's content and so are you. I see no problem in this. If he ever wants to pursue education, he still can, which is the beauty of higher education.

But realistically, if you see the income of both non-BA and BA folks, you see a long term disparity. Regardless, that is a topic for another day.

But to your topic, many folks believe in this superiority because many people in society are socialized in that thought because they see some kind of division between college and non-college folks. I think many people, though given the chance to speak their mind, will appreciate everyone's uniqueness and intelligence.

I am a firm believer in the individual growth of mine. I don't believe one has to rely on institutions to foster his or her own progress, but it has just been made so in our society.

[thyun]

Those that think they have bragging rights in anything whether it may be in level of college degree or financial wealth are misguided. Also, for those that did not go to secondary school and end up making money then those that did are in the same boat. I think people are insecure, they do not believe in themselves, so they find it necessary to put others down or set some sort of hierarchy. I mean, I do it all the time and it's really distressful. I think as you grow older you'll realize that life isn't about money, education, or about who's better. I mean look at the wisest people in our history. I am sure they did not live a life of hubris, but a life of humility; it's a constant battle.

If you believe that your boyfriend is smart then I think it should end at that. Is there a need to prove himself to the world, when you already believe that he is intelligent. Let the others sneer and condescend because in the end it's their problem not yours.

[GO!zilla]

imo

the outcome of your education will be your bragging right.
whatever your bf is doing with his hs education, kudos to him.

but the thing is most people with only a hs education fail in todays society.
so i guess people are just generalizing.

[SouthernBelle82]

I don't think you have to have an education to be good at something and to make a life out of yourself. I think your boyfriend proves that. However though I think you do have "bragging rights" when it comes to knowledge in your field over the average person. You actually spent time studying your field and you should know the field by the time you're ready for a job. On this other message board I had an argument with people dealing with what I'm currently studying (law classes) and I kept bringing up the fact for my argument and that I actually know the field and had laws to back it up etc. They went on their personal feelings with the situation over facts and they got mad at me and said I was being a jerk for bringing up the fact that I'm studying the topic we were discussing. I didn't do that to brag but to show that I've actually studied what we were arguing about and knew what the hell I was talking about. That just really made me mad that my opinions were viewed less valid and important then there's when I was the one who had studied that specific topic. I guess only with leftwing freepers. Of course this board ended up banning me for no reason of course they've never liked me in the first place because I used to defend someone they didn't like when it was appropriate. They couldn't handle that or the truth.

[ARI]

i think its just a viewpoint that society has imposed upon us because, for the majority of people in this world, a higher education results in a more prestigious and higher payer job. but clearly your boyfriend is one of those exceptions.. and the fact that he loves his job is enviable.

[kipling]

Props to your boyfriend for choosing that route! He rocks
And well, I think it's just a stupid rule in society that says that in order to be a somebody, you have to have a degree. That's what they teach us in highschool. You'd be better off going to college, you won't strugge (yet they conveniently leave out student loans )
And even then, you're a nobody to someone w/ a Master's or a PhD (even though those in my opinion means that you have a lot of time to kill).
I don't even know why I'm in college.

[hotspicedcider]

Props to your boyfriend for choosing that route! He rocks
And well, I think it's just a stupid rule in society that says that in order to be a somebody, you have to have a degree. That's what they teach us in highschool. You'd be better off going to college, you won't strugge (yet they conveniently leave out student loans )
And even then, you're a nobody to someone w/ a Master's or a PhD (even though those in my opinion means that you have a lot of time to kill).
I don't even know why I'm in college.

i definetely dont think ppl with PhDs go into it because they have a lot of time to kill. believe it or not, some people get those degrees because they want to make the world a better place. Why do you think there is cancer research? who do you think does majority of the thinking? PhD's and MD's. you think someone without a college degree would likely begin to find the cure for cancer? Alzheimer's disease? Parkingsons? 99.9999999999% of the time i think not.

and regarding that stupid rule in society... i find it to be half true. GENERALLY, not always, a college degree provides you with a solid background on issues that you wouldnt normally seek to know unless you went to college. That doesnt necessarily always translates to success or happiness, but ppl are aware of it. In society, we have two types of people... those who are so intelligent that they dont need to get an education because they make their world the classroom... and those who aren't so intelligent (like me), so they seek an education to help them form an opinion. I would even argue that people go to college because they are insecure of their futures, and they want to have some sort of control over their lives (and there is nothing wrong with that).

i dont see what's wrong with being proud of your college education. im certainly proud that I worked my butt off to receive a well rounded education. I've become confident, more aware of issues in our society, and an independent thinker (though im sure some philosophers out there would think otherwise) because of the positive influence i receive in the past 4 years. Im sorry if there are some ppl who don't agree with me.... but i think a higher education is somethign to be very proud of.

im sorry you dont know why you're in college... maybe you shouldnt be in college. give that opportunity to someone who actually wants to be there.

and FYI... just because we, college students, may have bragging rights... it doesnt mean we need to brag about it. we should be proud of it... but those who REALLY got something from college understand that it is not excuse to belittle those who did not have the opportunity, or will, to get the same education. be humble.... be proud.... be informed.

[sle3pyguii]

I think it's because people believe that only the geniuses in society have contributed greatly to society, while those who aren't as intelligent did not. Hence, the belief that more education = smarter = bragging rights over those without as much education.

[xkrn4lyfx]

i'm guessing it's because it's true. education does = bragging rights. those who've graduated high school can brag to those who've only made it past middle school. same goes for college. also for jobs ppl w/ a college degree will be prefered to only high school graduates. he may make more money than other ppl but that doesn't matter since on the whole ppl w/o a college degree makes less

and yeah i'm a firm believer in education as well. if the airplane company took a dive he'd be let go instead of a degree carrying employee. if he lost his job he'd have a easier time finding another high paying job. i'm not saying it's gonna happen but mini cooper happens and those w/ better credentials get further in life because to ppl hiring, all they see is a piece of paper and on there better qualifications over your bf

[Ms. X]

Edit post.... Thanks for replying

[dehoot]

We learn something new everyday that we're alive. Believing that education is simply a privileged institution solely created for bragging rights is an idea I have trouble comprehending... This isn't a flame on anyone, but simply going to college doesn't mean you're smart. Yes, you may have gotten a title, but then what? Most college students never touch a book again for the rest of their life after they graduate. Why? There's this ridiculous notion that learning stops once you earn a certain degree. No, intelligence goes beyond that.. It's these kind of thoughts that continue to prod the disgusting divide of all holier than thou's and the so called "little people". It also goes into correlation with this thought that the better you are at purely standard english, the more intelligent you seem. Which again, is ridiculous because although english is the "global language", there's this weird thought that only english speaking people are intelligent? Example, people who live on the streets may not have the largest range in vocabulary as someone studying at a university. Does this entail the street person is an idiot? No, they could be just as intelligent just in different situation. Again, doesn't mean there isn't a reason to go to college, however college isn't a basis of your righteousness. It's simply just another learning chapter in your life and the final chapter isn't until you're about to die.

Issues like this disturbs me. The problems go even deeper than simply discriminating against another person simply because they don't have a degree. I would disagree with the fact that you don't need to go to college because college brings a variety of beneficial experiences that are unmatched between high school and working world. It's perhaps more sentimental than practical and in all honesty, you're more likely to be hired by internships than ever your major. So, you got a degree in blah-blah... so what? You're still a young, uneducated chap who has no idea what they're doing in whatever company they just applied for... There is the exception of med students and yada-yada.. but the fact remains that it's up to the individual to see how far and how much they want to learn. What can YOU possibly gain in this lifetime? How much and how far will you go? (again, not directed towards anyone individually)

I'd be just as worried about your boyfriend's job as he is... Boeing is good at laying off employees and the world soon to be dry of oil or any of those chaotic theories of mass destruction really aren't comforting in a field where the job depends on those resources. o_o; Besides, he might enjoy going back to school.

[nymph]

It depends on the field of work.
In the world of health care, those without degrees have no chance and I like it that way.

[vc1188]

Now, increasingly, the standards of all kinds of companies are going up. A few decades ago, any bachelor's degree was considered more than enough. Now just any master's degree isn't enough. So I guess these people who brag about having whatever degree brag because they have more opportunities and that added security. or they're just jerks. haha

[AHLEENA]

We both think it is a good idea for him to go back to school, once he is ready and decides on what he would like to study.
Having an education to fall back on is a nice security.
He is very fortunate though, because his company will pay for his tuition in full, as long as he continues to work full-time.

I think your boyfriend is a very fortunate and one of the luckiest people out there. :3
The company he works for is great since they are willing to pay for his tuition in full.

This is a terrific opportunity for him, college is just to open doors incase something goes wrong in your life. So your boyfriend will have another option if anything ever goes wrong with his first job.

I don't really think anything. 'Cuz then, if I really thought about it-- people can brag about anything-- the color of their shoe-laces even. Anything that they are proud of-- if a person is proud of their education, fine, go ahead and brag-- but just know that someone out there has a BETTER and HIGHER education than you-- and may be from an EVEN BETTER college and will probably succeed even farther than you can ever imagine, or, someone out there who has NO EDUCATION has already far exceeded you. ;P Yeah, I think that if a person brags, or thinks they are so great, they should just remember, that someone out there is even greater than themself.