UPDATE: Better off without college?

Given that most current Minnesota job vacancies require only a high school diploma, we asked this morning if job seekers in Minnesota were better off without a college degree.

Well, don't leave school just yet.

Trend data we got this afternoon from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development showÂ the percentage of job vacancies requiring at least a two year college degree rising steadily over the decade.

It still surprises me that more than half the vacancies in a deep recession don't require a college degree. Seems incongruous when national data show the unemployment rate for those with a college degree is half the rate for people with only a high school degree (4.7% vs. 9.4%).

If anyone has any thoughts on this please post below or drop me an email.

UPDATE: Monte Hanson with the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development forwarded these thoughts from Steve Hine, the department's top labor economist:

27 percent of all the open jobs in the job vacancy survey are for temporary positions and 41 percent are for part-time positions. Given those factors, it would make sense that more than half (56 percent) of the available jobs don't require anything beyond a high school degree.

Comments: 4

Tim Nelson Sep 1, 2009, 4:44pm UTC

According to Education Minnesota:

Minnesota ranks seventh at 43.9 percent adults ages 25 to 64 with a 2- or 4-year postsecondary degree according to Education Week's 2006 "Quality Counts" report.

Minnesota also ranks seventh at 54.9 percent of young adults enrolled in postsecondary education or with a degree.

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Tim Nelson Sep 1, 2009, 4:53pm UTC

Also, no one is willing to train, as I had to do for each new coworker during the 80's, and had to do myself when analog became digital.

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Kingston Kaprinski Sep 1, 2009, 5:15pm UTC

Personal and anecdotally, I have to say that in order to secure a job in which one would be structurally under-employed, that is, working at a job in which you are over-qualified for, you should not disclose in full your educational background. In other words, if you want a part-time job as a clerk or as a service industry worker your chances of getting hired are better if you don't tell the company you went to graduate school. In some cases, it might even be best for a college graduate not to indicate that level of education. Perhaps such lack of full disclosure is dishonest, but it also shows humility and a willingness to accept the job that is available.

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Jeff S. Sep 3, 2009, 5:14pm UTC

I know that having a bachelors degree is no guaranty of landing in a enjoyable and lucrative career. On the other hand, I know some folks who have a Master's degree who can't find a job for months. At the same time not every enjoyable and lucrative career requires a degree. I would say the key factor is motivation (flexibility does not hurt either). If you set out to be someone that others look up to, you have to have information and wisdom other do not have. Inspiration and innovation and communication/relationship skills are also very important. These are not taught but acquired through patience, endurance, education, and discipline. These are the stuff that make a pro a pro.

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UPDATE: Better off without college?

Comments: 4

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