Education - what is it really worth?

Our readers frequently ask, "What is the real value of an education? Is a bachelor's degree worth the time and effort? Should I take a training class in ____?"

Sometimes the question is in the form of "I've worked full time and taken classes for five years and will receive my bachelor's degree soon? How much salary increase is fair under these circumstances?"

These are broad topics for a newsletter format, but here's my quick take.

A bachelor's degree can help in several ways. A degree in computer science, math, engineering, etc. nowadays almost guarantees that a job will be waiting upon graduation or soon thereafter. Corporate recruiters beat a path to the doors of many colleges and universities. It isn't necessarily because a school's bachelor curriculum teaches specifically what the company needs - it rarely does. But because those who earn bachelor degrees from certain schools have proved their ability to grasp technical subjects quickly, and they have a good foundation in the basics.

These graduates also should have learned a lot of other very valuable things, such as how to write clearly, present ideas, as well as apply the basics of accounting, statistics, math. These are just a few of the general skills that will become increasingly useful as their career progresses.

Training courses are useful when we need to learn a particular skill, such as a new operating system, communications protocol, or a network switch. If you are anywhere near the leading edge of technology, these courses are essential - they are designed to provide specific tools for immediate use.

So to answer the question, yes, the time spent to get a bachelor's degree is unquestionably well spent - it provides a quick start and a good beginning box of tools for long-term growth. And, yes, training courses will help - they put specific information at your fingertips and give you invaluable "big picture" insight.

The real value of any kind of education, however, is what we choose to do with it. A bachelor's degree will open a lot of doors, but these doors can swing both ways! Think of your education as a tool that must be taken out of the box and used effectively. The world is full of highly successful people who have little formal education but know how to get things done.

As to the people who have worked for several years, are getting a degree, and want an immediate raise, I'd be careful. For you, the quick-start value of the degree is moot. To get more money for a degree under these circumstances, you usually have to show your employer that you are worth more. Use what you have learned and the raise will come.

Amy Schurr is an editor for Network World's Management Strategies and Features sections. If you have any career topics you'd like her to cover or want to comment on this newsletter, you can reach her at aschurr@nww.com.

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