Do you work in a job where your degree is needed?

👍 Yes (62%) – "To be clear, I did not work immediately in my undergraduate degree (psychology), but after taking ten years off, then going back to school, I worked in my graduate degree profession of social work."

• "I am a teacher, a job which requires subject specific State certification. Furthermore, as a teacher of a class where students may earn dual credit (high school and college credit simultaneously), I needed a minimum of 18 subject specific graduate hours to meet the college’s requirements for adjunct faculty. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in addition to a Master of Education and a Master of Arts English."

"Back in the 1970s and 1980s, getting a college degree was a difference maker because you were one of few and there were a lot fewer majors. Now, the workforce is flooded with a lot of college graduates and a lot of frivolous majors that have no real value in the real world.

Back then, there was more than enough people in the trades, but the warning signs were there. Now? The trades are hurting big time. I know of a few young people who went directly into the trades right out of high school. Now, less than ten years later, each of them own several houses they rent to others, own several cars, are not in debt, and are financially independent. But I know far too many college graduates that are in the same situation as this article: they are in jobs that they are overqualified for and many have nothing to do with their majors and every single one of these kids have a mountain of debt that is holding them back.

College is a smart choice if you choose the right majors, but if you can get by on an education from a two-year school, then that is the best way to go. You can always go to college part-time to get a four-year degree, if you want. But that way, you won't be drowning in debt."

• "While my current job (marketing) is not an exact match to my education (political science) I wouldn't be a candidate without a college degree. The job path In my 20s was largely stressful but in my 30s I found a field of interest and realized much of the softer skills developed in college (communication, time management, creative thinking) are utilized every day. Diversified learning is also key! A counselor forced me to take courses in linguistics, architecture, stats and those experiences jump out now as interesting and useful!"

"Something else I think you're forgetting is the impact of getting your two year degree AND THEN your four year degree (the path I took). That approach gives you real world knowledge from mostly retired professionals, for a much cheaper price; and in only two years you can get a job that pays better money right out of the gate and likely a tuition perk. Then after you get the 4 year degree and you want to start going after the "golden goose", you'll have *two* degrees and real world experience to back your claim that you deserve a bigger paycheck."

👎 No (38%) – "My undergraduate was a social science, so I don't use it directly in my job. However, the experimental methodology and statistical concepts I learned at college form a daily part of my work life. Most of the rest I learned either on my own or through other jobs. Still, college helped me learn how to learn, which is the most useful skill across all of my jobs."

• "I originally dropped out of engineering school, but went back and finished a BA at the age of 27. I have been working in support of engineers since the age of 20, as both an instrumentation specialist and NDT specialist. Neither role requires a college degree, yet a strong math and science background are important."

"I'm a CEO. What degree is necessary to be a CEO? The truth is that you need experience. Anyone can become a CEO, but it is through hard work and accomplishments that matter to the business that you get there, not a piece of paper that says you graduated. Graduation is only the entry ticket (maybe). Other entry tickets are experience, Tech Colleges, or being in the right place at the right time and having demonstrated you can achieve results. People get too hung up on a 4 year degree when most positions don't really care about that -- I prefer to hire experience and demonstrated results every time and often ignore the particular degree. An ability to think and act are essential in any "college level" position -- no matter how you learned how to do that."

• "I earned a BA in Studio Art in 2008. Since then, I've sold mattresses, taught preschool, managed a remote customer service team, and build digital assets for plumbers. 15 years after graduation, I received my first artist commission."