CredentialismCredentialism

A Story of DiscriminationA Story of Discrimination

Meet Stephen BooneMeet Stephen BooneMarried for 10 yearsMarried for 10 years

Father of twoFather of two

Works full-timeWorks full-time

Full-time student: Full-time student: Associates DegreeAssociates Degree

Owner of online T-Owner of online T-shirt companyshirt company

Desires to move up Desires to move up the corporate ladderthe corporate ladder

Already a Already a victimvictim of of credentialismcredentialism

Credentialism:undue emphasis on Credentialism:undue emphasis on credentialscredentials (as (as college degrees) as prerequisites to employmentcollege degrees) as prerequisites to employment

((http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/credentialism, 2012), 2012)

Help Help wanted:wanted:((upon proof of upon proof of higher higher

educationeducation))

Is the door of Is the door of possibilities closed possibilities closed to Stephen?to Stephen?

•Heating/Heating/CoolingCooling•Registered Registered NurseNurse•Radiologic TechRadiologic Tech•DraftingDrafting•DesignerDesigner•EngineeringEngineering

Median weekly earnings Median weekly earnings of workers with an of workers with an associate degreeassociate degree

BLS.com, Department of Labor, 2002BLS.com, Department of Labor, 2002

Does Higher Education Payoff?Does Higher Education Payoff?

Is there an advantage getting a job Is there an advantage getting a job having a bachelor’s degree over an having a bachelor’s degree over an associates degree?associates degree?

WhatWhat jobs are available with just an jobs are available with just an associates degree?associates degree?

What degree is best for you?What degree is best for you?

Is there an advantage getting a job Is there an advantage getting a job having a bachelor’s degree over an having a bachelor’s degree over an associates degree?associates degree?

YESYES

HOLD ON!!HOLD ON!!

““While many young students often believe that a While many young students often believe that a four year bachelor’s degree will provide a greater four year bachelor’s degree will provide a greater array of job opportunities and increased salary array of job opportunities and increased salary benefits, recent findings reveal that, in some benefits, recent findings reveal that, in some cases, an associate’s degree provides workers cases, an associate’s degree provides workers with similar perks to that of their four year with similar perks to that of their four year graduate co-workers.” graduate co-workers.”

Chen (January 09, 2009)Chen (January 09, 2009)

This is what CNN had to This is what CNN had to say,say,

““Though it was once conventional wisdom that Though it was once conventional wisdom that you needed to have a four-year college degree to you needed to have a four-year college degree to be successful, many employment experts believe be successful, many employment experts believe that maxim has become myth.”that maxim has become myth.”

Chen(August 11, 2008)Chen(August 11, 2008)

Some examples Some examples of careers which of careers which would put would put Stephen on the Stephen on the fast track fast track are:are:

Engineering TechnicianEngineering Technician

Average Annual Income = $49,440Average Annual Income = $49,440

Chen (January 09, 2009)Chen (January 09, 2009)

Radiation TherapistRadiation Therapist

Average Annual Income = Average Annual Income = $57,700$57,700

Chen (January 09, 2009)Chen (January 09, 2009)

Air Traffic ControllerAir Traffic Controller

Average Annual Income = Average Annual Income = $102,030$102,030

•Chen (August 11, 2008)Chen (August 11, 2008)

How many of these jobs are How many of these jobs are actually out there?actually out there?

8 of the 10 fastest growing jobs do not require 8 of the 10 fastest growing jobs do not require more than an associate’s degreemore than an associate’s degree

An estimated 50 million jobs right An estimated 50 million jobs right nownow

What are people with What are people with Associate Degrees Associate Degrees Getting paid.Getting paid.

BLS.com, Department of Labor, 2002BLS.com, Department of Labor, 2002

✦High SchoolHigh School✦Some CollegeSome College✦Associates DegreeAssociates Degree✦Bachelor’s DegreeBachelor’s Degree

By the looks of things having an associates By the looks of things having an associates degree will not make you rich but it will give degree will not make you rich but it will give you more options with greater pay. you more options with greater pay.

Now lets look at a bachelors Now lets look at a bachelors degree, is it worth the time and degree, is it worth the time and money?money?

That’s right more money That’s right more money and a bigger piece of and a bigger piece of paper, when it comes to paper, when it comes to a bachelors the wages a bachelors the wages are all over the place it are all over the place it really just depends on really just depends on you and where your you and where your willing to go. willing to go.

The The Balancing Balancing ActActIf any If any oneone of of Stephen’s Stephen’s contributing factors contributing factors falls through, it could falls through, it could mean mean disasterdisaster for his for his family.family.

ReferencesReferencesChen G.(August 11,2008). Earn a high paying career without a four year Chen G.(August 11,2008). Earn a high paying career without a four year degree: Community College Review. Retrieved on November 11,2012 degree: Community College Review. Retrieved on November 11,2012 from from http://www.communitycollegereview.com/articles/71http://www.communitycollegereview.com/articles/71

Chen G.(January 09, 2009). Value of an associates degree vs. bachelors Chen G.(January 09, 2009). Value of an associates degree vs. bachelors degree: Community College Review. Retrieved on November 11, degree: Community College Review. Retrieved on November 11, 2012 from 2012 from http://www.communitycollegereview.com/articles/71http://www.communitycollegereview.com/articles/71

Credentialism, (Retrieved on November 18, 2012). Retrieved from . Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/credentialism

Crosby, O. (2002-2003). . Associate degree: Two years to a career or a jump start to a bachelor’s degree. Occupational Outlook Quarterly. Retrieved Retrieved from from http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/winter/art01.pdf