How education hurts jobs, besides the price.

Colleges claim certain majors pay higher when students get jobs in those fields. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a guarantee. Companies choose who to hire and how much they pay them – educated or not. Job trends and unemployment rates change every few years. The rising cost of education is not the only cause that hurts a job hunt. 

Hiring managers have to be selective with a list of sought after skills growing. Blame can get shifted back to them if they hire someone who isn’t best suited for the job, even if the department manager sits in on the interview. Employers ideally, want someone who is flexible to conform to their way of doing things.


Lack of education/experience
The employer may not be able to devote time to train them or the position usually requires years of experience, such as a manager role. They may feel the candidate should get some formal education elsewhere. 

Too much education/experience
Experienced workers also get turned down if they have too much. The older we get, we establish set habits of doing things. The employer may even feel fearful. Those knowledgeable professionals may know more than they do and could cause conflicts of ego. Plus, they may fear the person may not be as flexible with training. 

Those that have experience in many fields or one company also get treated questionably. Their stability, loyalty, and trust are under scrutiny. 

Recent Graduates
Managers may feel bruised egos from feeling inadequate about their lack of current events in the field. They may feel threatened, steal ideas, and get annoyed with well-intended encouraged suggestions of improvement.

In debt and indentured
Both scholarships and tuition reimbursement plans make you go through qualifying paperwork, only a certain amount and only towards specific courses. Either one can be taken away at any time based on their expected return requirements. The student becomes obligated to fulfill a contractual agreement to those offering funds to pay for education.

Tuition reimbursement makes you pay first. They do not reimburse any additional interest added on your credit card purchases. When approved, you will have to work and go to school until you get your final grade. 

When we are in debt, we may feel forever in debt to work for someone, by their rules and ways of doing things in order to fulfill a financial obligation.


Pros and cons of education and experience 


Pro: Degrees and experience increases your chances of job qualifications.
Con: You may have to take a job, based on needs, not in your field of study or experience.

Pro: Student loans generally have low interest rates.
Con: Can not be wiped off in bankruptcy.

Pro: Your knowledge can be a contributing asset.
Con: You may be viewed as a know-it-all. 

Pro: Degree in current demand job trend.
Con: Jobs and people replaced with the next job trenders or budget cuts.  

Pro: Self employed
Con: Self-employed also let go of unprofitable projects plus abide to federal and state regulations.


Colleges are just as much a business looking for profit as any other business. They sell services. Before you sign up, enroll, and take on a loan, look carefully at the obligation requirements. Review projected accumulated interest and your own budget.  

Never feel any education or training is wasted. Knowledge is empowering and no one can ever take that away from you. It is up to you to share it and up to someone to listen to benefit from it. It is always a priceless gain. While on your job hunt, you may even consider finding or creating a teaching job opportunity.