Have you ever felt embarrassed by your lack of a degree?

[Urbannaja]

Begin rant--

I'm personally not embarrassed but I am pissed I'm being forced to get this silly degree. Basically you are a nobody in today's society unless you have one. I'm talking about getting a decent paying job. I have 24 years in the aircraft industry, the last 12 being in a management position while in the military. However, if I get out, I am "unqualified” because I don't have a 4-year degree. So, here I am, wasting my time getting a BS (a quite fitting acronym) degree in Liberal Studies (What the hell does this mean anyway?). Then after I finish taking all of these CLEP/DSST/ECE tests, I'll be deemed employable by the powers that hire employees. Meanwhile, am I any more qualified to manage, lead, or be more productive? I think not, I feel it just means that I'll have polished my ability to cram for a test I really have no interest in.

Again, I know this opinion won't be too popular here, but it is how I feel. I know there are those who do enjoy school, studying, and learning; more power to them and I wish them nothing but success & happiness. I do enjoy learning too and have completed many high level courses; I just don't like being forced to learn something in which I have no interest in. I have accomplished so much over the years, most of which is character and ability defining, I just don't see how having a general degree makes one a better/more qualified person for a job. It would seem experience would have more relevance in the hiring process, but it appears it doesn't. Regardless, I'll stop my whining and get back to studying for my Adulthood and Aging test, now this exam will make me a winner......To tell people I’m studying for this test, IS something I am embarrassed about.

End rant--

I agree it seems that life experience should be sufficient. The whole reason for completing a degree...especially the crap that has nothing to do with your major...is to give you some rounded academic in many different areas that you may never be exposed to again. Getting that exposure helps you understand people in other fields and backgrounds while telling your employers that you're at least able to do the standard amount of work necessary to complete a 4 year degree. Of course, it sounds like you personally have already gained alot of that experience elsewhere and have proven yourself, but not having that box checked off could still hurt you with unknown employers or when competing against someone who has it already.