Opportunities and Success
What kind of world do we live in where an individual with a qualified Masters degree ends up working at a low-paying job with sub-standard benefits, as opposed to someone without qualifications ends up making $80 to 90-thousand dollars a year with solid benefits? It seems to me that certain aspects of culture can incur backwards results.
This thought spurred from conversations I’ve had with people who’ve earned their degrees and yet either haven’t applied themselves, or their luck hasn’t struck a successful chord. It’s an interesting conundrum and certainly merits an explanation. As I’ve gotten older and wiser I’m beginning to notice the whole picture (or the whole enchilada), details start to emerge and explanations for certain unexplainable events surface.
In this instance it seems that for most of the population “success” is measured by who you know. Moreover the connections you form and how they work for you in the business world, which as a result can lead you to a high paying position, if that’s what you’re looking for that is. For some, success might have different conotations and while having a high-paying corporate job is the ideal dream, for many having a degree (be it an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, etc.) doesn’t necessarily pave the way for your success.
Getting the degree is the first step, applying your skills and yourself is the most important in this process. From those I’ve talked to, this can be difficult and because of age restraints in the business world, you’re guaranteed to lose a lucrative position to a younger person who equals your qualifications. It’s a sad fact but it is reality, and many times as I’ve mentioned, it’s who you know and not just what you know.
There are no magic beans. You can’t always expect a beanstalk to grow and lead you to higher ground. However, what you can do is believe in yourself and improve your skills on a daily basis — refrain from becoming stale — and watch as new opportunities lay themselves before you. Just remember one thing; do this for yourself.
As Bill Cosby once said:
I don’t know the keys to success, but the first step to failure is trying to please everyone.
6 Comments, Comment or Ping
Jeff
Wonderful post! I spose maybe I’ll stay in school for a couple more semesters…
May 17th, 2004
beto
Some words of truth in here. I’ve always said “It’s not about what you know, but who you know”, and year after year of hard-learned lessons through life experience have solidified this statement. I finished my master’s degree at college only to find out that, outside the Government and academic circles, college degrees aren’t worth shit - luckily I had a lot of work experience already before leaving college.
I think about the “menace of the youngest” situation from time to time - about the only way you can get around this IMHO is to save up and start rolling your own business, so no one is going to fire you when you are 40… of course, the catch is that when things go worng, you have no one else to blame for yourself.
But it is pretty much worth it. I’m looking forward to it.
May 17th, 2004
beto
Last post should say “wrong” and “blame but yourself” respectively.
I cant spel corectly when I am void of my evning cofee.
May 17th, 2004
Todd
A very lucid, honest and inspiring post.
This has been something that has always perplexed me and like you, as I get older, I’m starting to see things clearly. You just have to keep plugging away and working hard and hopefully you will be rewarded.
May 17th, 2004
Max
Nice post. It really is who you know, and it will suck when you get right out of school. However, sticking with it will get you attention eventually in your chosen profession. I’m getting introduced into another professional sphere slowly but surely, and getting established for a second time I can say it is from doing the work as best I can. People notice eventually and they become contacts, and contacts really do want to help you succeed. Basic human nature.
I know it sounds lame and it is frustrating, but patience is a virtue in this case.
May 20th, 2004
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