[AccessD] OT: the "Education" system

Drew,

I think it is a cultural thing.  Many women are trained from childhood
to be submissive.  Thus, unless they get assertiveness training, or have
made a significant accomplishment such as getting a degree, they tend to
be submissive as adults.

Charles Wortz
Software Development Division
Texas Education Agency
1701 N. Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701-1494
512-463-9493
CWortz at tea.state.tx.us



-----Original Message-----
From: Drew Wutka [mailto:DWUTKA at marlow.com] 
Sent: Thursday 2003 Jun 12 11:11
To: 'accessd at databaseadvisors.com'
Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: the "Education" system

Interesting.

I have never really felt 'downhill' though.  In fact, many times I feel
like I am uphill from people with degrees, because I see the solution,
and they are flapping in the wind.  Oh well.

Drew

-----Original Message-----
From: Tina Norris Fields [mailto:tinanfields at torchlake.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 6:59 AM
To: accessd at databaseadvisors.com
Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: the "Education" system


Martin, you may have to go get that degree, just to shut them up.

After some 14 years of experience as an export manager, with a side 
interest in office automation and the stuff that supports it, I one day 
found myself needing a new job.  I had no degree, just knowledge.  I had

come from the midwest, where "equivalent experience" was a qualifier for

those without the academic credentials.  But, I was in New England 
(Boston, to be exact), and "equivalent experience" carried no weight 
whatsoever.  I actually got turned down for a position where the only 
other candidate was a recent graduate with a degree and no experience - 
degree NOT in international trade or business, by the way.  The 
interviewer said:  "I couldn't justify choosing you over a degreed 
person."  Wow!  I did go back to school at New Hampshire College (now 
Southern New Hampshire University) and got my degree in Business and 
Computer Science.  Now, I teach adults how to use computers - from the 
complete "newbie" who doesn't know where the ON switch is, to folks 
wanting to learn any of the Microsoft Office Suite programs.  I also 
develop Access database applications and stuff for private clients. 
 It's fun.

The thing that really surprised me was that after I had my degree, I 
felt different in those meetings with other staff.  I hadn't realized 
that I had felt "down hill" from everybody before the degree - but I did

notice the change in my level of confidence once I was wearing my gold 
key (yes Summa Cum Laude - motivation is a wonderful thing).  So, in 
your "free" time, Martin, why not enroll in a college or university that

offers a complete degree in your area of interest via the Internet? 
 When you get your gold key, those pompous jerks will have to shut up.

My local college hired me from time-to-time as adjunct faculty when they

needed my knowledge and they couldn't get anyone with the academic 
credentials to teach the class (summers, especially).  I still work as a

contract instructor for the Extended Education Services division of the 
college - teaching adults who really want to know the stuff.

Tina