<p>I don’t measure degrees as being superior or inferior to each other. For example, I don’t put engineers on a pedastal and look down upon those that decide to become an artist or Anthropologist or decides to study philosophy or the humanities. I do have a problem with X studies degrees but digress on that subject. </p>
<p>The way I measure the value of a degree is partially utilitarian and partially its intrinsic value over time. Allow me to illustrate what my intentions are concerning utility. Lets say the government and colleges claim that America needs more nurses for example. Lets say that they estimate their will be 100,000 job openings over the next 6 years with starting salaries of $45,000. Many will use that information and attend college with expectations that after 2 or 4 years of college that still holds. What if the government allows the importing of tens of thousands of nurses from the phillipines that are fine with being hired at $30,000 a year since their education costs are much lower. So if 100,000 students graduate with a nursing degree they now have to compete with the tens of thousands imported labor thus reducing the utility value of the degree forcing wages downward. This is simplified of course and only an example.</p>
<p>My intentions on intrinsic value is based upon the value of the degree now compared to the value say in 10 years. One of the problems with a general business degree is the value diminishes over time. Many colleges have resorted to teaching what is popular at that moment and tend to be very short sighted. There are numerous instances that business (and economics) majors were being taught theories and models in relation to the current political and economic climate of the day. When there is a change of the guard there typically is enough change that lowers the intrinsic value of the persons education over time. A business curriculum in the 80’s is going to be much different then one in the 90’s or 2000’s etc. The business community and education realize that proping up and marketing the next big thing creates a bandwagon effect that floods the market with new recruits and oftentimes has the effect of diminished wages. </p>
<p>If you are speaking about ideological differences than I concur. I believe that this country is great because of down to earth creative people who used ingenuity to invent and innovate. Those that did contributed to humanity and the improvements of our everyday lives. I think they are the true unsung heros of US history that I feel is taken for granted today. The businessman had their role which was often a mixed bag and yet is hardly scrutinized these days.</p>
<p>Do I look down on accountants as being inferior…no. That doesn’t mean I am under obligation to respect them either. To me they are only step down from a lawyer in being in a public parasite position and one step up in squareness from an architect. I have more respect for the struggling street artist who actually produced something over a Can’t Produce Anything.</p>