On Sat, 17 Apr 1999, Marvin wrote:
> Sellam Ismail wrote:
> >
> > On Sat, 17 Apr 1999, Tony Duell wrote:
> >
> > > > There are some that want to learn, like me, and *don't* let schooling
> > > > get in the way of education.
> > >
> > > A word of warning, from bitter experience. At least in the UK, what
> > > matters, when you come to look for a job, etc is _not_ what you know, or
> > > what you can do, it's what bits of paper you have. So make sure you do
> > > get some official qualifications in whatever you've learnt.
> >
> > I would never go to work for a company that would judge me based on the
> > schooling I've had, nor will I ever.
>
> The pieces of paper are quite useful for getting in the door and can be
> looked at as a key to open the door. What you do once inside will have an
> effect on future jobs you may (or may not!) be able to get into.
Well, call me lucky but I never had a piece of paper to rely on, and I
still managed to do all right. What I'm saying is that people shouldn't
think they need a degree just to make a good living for themselves, or
even to reach the highest levels of success. I feel strongly about this
because I don't want the younger people reading these threads thinking
their future hinges on their earning a degree in college, when they very
well could be spending their time pursuing their own goals, not those that
society has determined for them.
The world is a changing place, now more so than ever. The old paradigm of
"go to school, get a job, live happily ever after" does not apply any
longer, and has been slowly on the way out since the late 80s,
coincidentally as the world started to become more connected. Ever hear
of that thing called the "Information Age"? It's not a cliche.
Getting in the door is a matter of how well you sell yourself, regardless
of how many "pieces of paper" you bring with you. And nobody ever said
one couldn't build ones own doors. Confidence in one's own self is the
only tool one needs to be successful.
Really.
Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar_at_siconic.com
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Received on Sun Apr 18 1999 - 00:54:59 BST