He's fired up now . . .

Hubby recently was promoted at work. He would never say anything but he deserved it. He was already performing many of the duties of the new position but just not getting paid for it for quite some time now. So I was happy to hear when he came home the other day and said they created a new position with a salary increase in his department. Basically, they created a new job title for him. He's worked at Leupold now for about 20 years . . he worked his way up I guess you might say, the old fashion way. Arriving on the doorstep of Leupold shortly after one of Tektronix's many impending layoffs he was able to secure a good position there. He is smart (don't let him know I said that..ha), he is a resource to alot of the guys and managers in the shop for machine troubleshooting, programming issues, personnel problems and lots of other things that I know nothing about.

Over the last few years one thing that gets him fired up is the hiring process. Leupold now almost exclusively hires certain positions only if the person has earned a 4yr. college degree. Like a number of companies in recent years, they are shifting to requiring a college education for even the most mundane entry level positions. He has been included in a number of hiring interviews and can't believe how these "graduates" make it. For example, he really likes to get going about the Engineering graduates out of Oregon State (not to pick on my favorite school, but it could be any I'm sure). Classic interviewee - high school graduate, entered directly into OSU from high school, attends college four - 6 years, graduates proudly with his Engineering degree. Shows up on Leupold's doorstep for an interview . . No prior work experience many times (even part time, apparently Mommy & Daddy paid for every cent of their college tuition or brainiac got lots of scholarships, can't fault that), everyday common sense non existent (when asked basic interview questions, over thinks every question), no interpersonal skills (has never had to work with other people, thus doesn't know how to interact with others), expects to have a starting wage somewhere in the middle of the range ("because I have a degree"). Hubby's face gets red just telling me about it. "What are they thinking?? just because they have a degree they are entitled to the job AND at a rate higher than experienced people are making . . that's bullshit!" But what really gets him fired up is many times upper management bites and they get hired. "They are energetic and have an enthusiasm to learn" . .Then he REALLY goes off!! Because now this new hire is going to have to work with him or some other long time experienced employee without said "degree" and learn the job. Period.
We have encouraged our kids to pursue degree's just because it's the wave of the world's hiring process now, but I would say to any college graduate tread carefully in your job hunts. There are many, many, very hard working experienced people in this world that got where they are without a "degree".
Quite actually they may have worked harder over the years because they did not have one. That should be respected, so don't act arrogant just because you "have one", because you will most likely be learning a portion of your job from somebody who does not.