Uni of Life v Uni Degree?

[KATWYN]

I don't know if it makes someone more educated - depends what the comparison is.

I looked up the definition of education in the Oxford, and one of them was "a development of character or mental powers" I guess that is the school of life.

I personally am working toward a degree, not because I need to be "more" educated or earn more, but because I feel more confident and professional in business by doing so (especially document correspondence). So its more a personal thing rather than a necessity for me.

Although if I change careers I do believe in the back of my mind it will probably go a long way toward finding employment that suits me -not me having to suit it.

[yungatart]

Life is a great educator.
I don't have a degree, although I do have a Diploma (worth 29 cents per hour extra in my pay packet!!) and a nursing qualification.
My last 3 jobs I have got without even having an interview.
Qualifications can prove that you know the theory, and you can last the distance, they unfortunately don't prove that you know what you are doing.

[BarBender]

I got my Uni degree(s) and attended the Uni of Life at the same time.

Still havent graduated from the Uni of Life yet...
What does it take to pass the exam?

[Coldrider]

Ive done the trade thingy and the Uni thingy, and the life thingy, I can't decide. If I stay silent everyone will only 'think' I'm dumb.

[Mom]

Anne, you know the answer to this one - you only have to look in the mirror.
So why did you ask?

Were you just trying to get a feel for KB opinion and if so, why does it matter?

No it was as much a way of getting what was already being discussed on another thread (way off topic I might add) in a forum that was better suited to the purpose really.

It matters not one jot in the scheme of things I agree.

Anyways back to my knitting!........LOL

[Macktheknife]

Still havent graduated from the Uni of Life yet...
What does it take to pass the exam?

OH SHIT!!!!! There is an exam??????


Bugger, better start cramming....

[Coldrider]

OH SHIT!!!!! There is an exam??????


Bugger, better start cramming....

Uni does not increase your IQ, unlike alcohol which can reduce it, but then if the brain is a chemical with parallel connections, a top up may do it good.

[ManDownUnder]

I see three options actually...

Uni of Life (school of hard knocks)
Character forming and gives appreciation of life, love of others and ability to empathise. If you've been there, you'll know it, you'll know your limitations, admit them and be a far superior employee because of it

Uni Degree
Shows ability to stick at things (depending on who long it took) and infers a degree of specialist knowledge. Opens doors but doesn't actually boost a persons suitability for employment

Trade Quals
Belittled.. still - to this day... belittled. God only knows why because it's every bit as hard as the Uni Degree, and contains the ocassional component of the school of hard knocks.

[ManDownUnder]

Oh yeah... one more thing. Education vs Intelligence. They are totally and utterly independent one from the other.

Never ever confuse one for the other. If you do it will always be at your peril

[Mom]

Mom! I didn't know you were the book-burning, "I don't need no fancy word-learnin' ma" sort of person! I expected better.

You misunderstand, I am no book burner, and would never knock anyone advancing their knowledge in any way, including undertaking and completing a University degree.

Personally I believe that we are constantly learning (being educated). Just because you are a whizz with that calculator, and I am barely adequate does not make you more educated than I. I can almost guarantee that I "know" more about plant diseases, pests and nutrition than you, that does not mean that I am more educated than you.

The question posed was, Does having a University Degree make you more educated? My answer must be no!

[ManDownUnder]

The question posed was, Does having a University Degree make you more educated? My answer must be no!

Au contraire. Unless you went to Uni with the requisite knowledge to get that degree then you must have learned something. I.e. one was educated. The ability to translate the education into something useful (i.e. do something with it)... that's a whole other thing and very individual.

[Mom]

Au contraire. Unless you went to Uni with the requisite knowledge to get that degree then you must have learned something. I.e. one was educated. The ability to translate the education into something useful (i.e. do something with it)... that's a whole other thing and very individual.

OOOOO Goody!

Define education for me then.

I have it as a noun, that means "the process of acquiring knowledge and understanding"

Surely this happens in other places and at other times than during the course of Uni Degree? Therefore, I have an enquiring, intelligent (I like that you brought that up before I did) mind and am always learing new things. I still stand by the University of Life being best.

[Joni]

The question posed was, Does having a University Degree make you more educated? My answer must be no!

More "educated"? Yes it does.... more "smart" not necessarily... more "wise" not necessarily etc etc

[ManDownUnder]

OOOOO Goody!

Define education for me then.

I have it as a noun, that means "the process of acquiring knowledge and understanding"

Surely this happens in other places and at other times than during the course of Uni Degree? Therefore, I have an enquiring, intelligent (I like that you brought that up before I did) mind and am always learing new things. I still stand by the University of Life being best.

I have no problem with the definition... I think it's a good one.

Education is a process occurring both at University and in life... I'm simply saying doing a degree imparts knowledge to the student.

It doesn't state the student is of superior intelligence in order to get one, but it also doesn't rule out being educated in many other aspects of life.

Re intelligence... an indicator I use personally is a robust wit. Anyone that has the ability to empathise with another in order to understand them sufficiently, anticipate (lead or direct) their thinking in a particular direction then blindside them with something they weren't expecting takes finess. It also shows a very practical application of what has ben learned and applied in a manner that results in... well.. a laugh.

Situational and audience awareness are needed as well as an understanding of what humour is (albeit not necessarily an academic knowledge of it).

[oldrider]

Au contraire. Unless you went to Uni with the requisite knowledge to get that degree then you must have learned something. I.e. one was educated. The ability to translate the education into something useful (i.e. do something with it)... that's a whole other thing and very individual.

A measure for value of either is "competence"!

If you are not capable of doing the job, education and qualifications in anything are useless.

That what gets measured gets done, that what gets done gets measured!

Qualifications are measures of "potential", nothing else.

Qualifications and proved experience are most valuable as selection tools.

The more you accumulate, the better your advantage.

The world has an oversupply of idiots, educated or not!

I have a healthy "respect" for intelligent qualified competent people.

Respect can only be "earned" not demanded. (IMHumbleO) John