Would you date someone who didn't have a college degree?

[fortyninethousand322]

What does that mean? Would he have a job (??), a college degree and is smart? Yes, that might be fine, under specific circumstances, if he was secure with himself and I wouldn't need to prop his ego constantly.

 

A job, but not an important one. Like maybe he works in retail sales. Or something not so lucrative or cool. Like not wearing a suit and tie to work everyday.

 

It's hard to describe what I'm saying.

[BluEyeL]

A job, but not an important one. Like maybe he works in retail sales. Or something not so lucrative or cool. Like not wearing a suit and tie to work everyday.

 

It's hard to describe what I'm saying.

 

I guess I'm dating someone sort of like that right now. Has a Ph.D. he's not actually using, has a good/stable job, but not Ph.D. level and doesn't pay a lot. He is very creative, intelligent and kind. So I love him, I'll keep him as long as he keeps me. Hope ego doesn't get in the way in the long run, although of course you never know, always a gamble.

[amaysngrace]

Haha this thread cracks me up!!

 

My friends own a business and she graduated college and he never stepped foot in one. They own two homes in NJ, one is a block from the beach that they rent out. They have four stores on the Ocean City boardwalk and they work three months of a year.

 

In winter they go on trips. Last year it was Marco Island and the Caymans.

 

They have a lot of investments.

 

They can retire in four years.

 

College doesn't necessarily equate to intelligence.

[BluEyeL]

Haha this thread cracks me up!!

 

My friends own a business and she graduated college and he never stepped foot in one. They own two homes in NJ, one is a block from the beach that they rent out. They have four stores on the Ocean City boardwalk and they work three months of a year.

 

In winter they go on trips. Last year it was Marco Island and the Caymans.

 

They have a lot of investments.

 

They can retire in four years.

 

College doesn't necessarily equate to intelligence.

And intelligence doesn't always equate success. With comparable levels of inteligence, it's more determination, tenacity, courage, action-oriented personality, and social skills that make the difference.

[Knoxpwns]

All college is, is spending countless thousands of dollars to get a piece of paper that you can hand to a future boss that says "I am a victim of a monopoly on information!"

 

I was never cut out for school. I teach myself far better than someone else can teach me. It's not easy -- a tiring process of trial and error, but my mind is wired that way.

 

There are a lot of options out there that can be VERY lucrative in terms of income that don't require a minute of college. They are incredibly difficult to find at times, but they are there.

 

So it comes down to me, more of a "would you date someone who has the initiative to build a good life for themselves regardless of education"

[amaysngrace]

And intelligence doesn't always equate success. With comparable levels of inteligence, it's more determination, tenacity, courage, action-oriented personality, and social skills that make the difference.

 

You're exactly right. He's the driving force behind every decision they've made. He started out by blowing up balloons on the amusement pier and saving his money because he saw the potential.

 

But she is every bit as driven as he is and works hard for their money too.

 

She is also one of the best shoppers I have ever met. Nobody ever will get a better sale price than she will. They're very smart.

 

Ambition is just as, if not more, important as education.

[soccerrprp]

I am a little dismayed at the over-all tenor of this conversation. The original question was whether 'one would date someone who didn't have a college degree?' Not how much they made. Those are two different questions.

 

So, for some of you, a degree AND how much they make makes a difference. Another interesting question would be, what is more important to you, the money someone makes or the degree itself?

 

If I have a social-worker degree, would you date me? Knowing that I would have limited earning potential?

[BluEyeL]

I am a little dismayed at the over-all tenor of this conversation. The original question was whether 'one would date someone who didn't have a college degree?' Not how much they made. Those are two different questions.

 

So, for some of you, a degree AND how much they make makes a difference. Another interesting question would be, what is more important to you, the money someone makes or the degree itself?

 

If I have a social-worker degree, would you date me? Knowing that I would have limited earning potential?

Yeah, I'd date you, as long as it doesn't bother you that I make six figures AND you are not trying to take advantage of me at the same time. If you had no degree and was working in the fast food industry too, no.

[BluEyeL]

Bottom line, for me, is, you need to accomplish "something". A degree means you went thorough the schooling and finished it. If no degree, you need something else to replace it and show that you did something with your time besides playing videogames. That the degree is in a field that didn't offer so many opportunities for financial gain, well, it can be forgiven, maybe you followed your passion. But no ambition of any kind, is a turn off.

[xpaperxcutx]

i can't tell you how many people i know who dropped out of college, who wished they had went back when they could to get their degrees. Learning happens when a person is younger because their ability to absorb information is easier at a younger age. My boyfriend left one of the top city colleges due to financial reasons, and even now he's been regretting his past decision.

 

The fact is, nobody's forcing you to be a doctor or even a lawyer, and given the fact you were missing 4 credits to a degree, why aren't you pushing yourself just to obtain that degree. Even with an associates, having a degree is a testament of your achievements. Especially with the current job environment, no boss or interviewer is willing to hear about you dropping out of college just to spend two years playing video games.

 

I dropped out of high school to work when i was 17, and am only just now getting my associates in business management and am applying for a 4 year college this coming Spring. I have work experience but I also know that work experience can only get me so far, without a good degree.

[Knoxpwns]

I am a little dismayed at the over-all tenor of this conversation. The original question was whether 'one would date someone who didn't have a college degree?' Not how much they made. Those are two different questions.

 

So, for some of you, a degree AND how much they make makes a difference. Another interesting question would be, what is more important to you, the money someone makes or the degree itself?

 

If I have a social-worker degree, would you date me? Knowing that I would have limited earning potential?

 

Do you like that career? To me, I have much more respect for someone who does something that drives them, that they are passionate about, more over someone who gets a ballin' paycheck.

 

I'd take "making it" with a girl I love over "well off" with a gold digger/trophy wife.

 

But to others, money and happiness walk hand in hand.

[xpaperxcutx]

I am a little dismayed at the over-all tenor of this conversation. The original question was whether 'one would date someone who didn't have a college degree?' Not how much they made. Those are two different questions.

 

So, for some of you, a degree AND how much they make makes a difference. Another interesting question would be, what is more important to you, the money someone makes or the degree itself?

 

If I have a social-worker degree, would you date me? Knowing that I would have limited earning potential?

 

I know people with 4 year degrees that doesn't even apply to their current job occupations. A friend of mine graduated with a BS in Psychology is now a real estate agent in Manhattan. A college education is just proof one's dedication to higher learning. It also shows committment and ambition to make something out of oneself.

[soccerrprp]

Yeah, I'd date you, as long as it doesn't bother you that I make six figures AND you are not trying to take advantage of me at the same time. If you had no degree and was working in the fast food industry too, no.

 

BlueEyeL,

 

Shoot, I would have no problems dating you, honey! It wouldn't bother me a bit that you make six-figures! How can we get together?

 

BTW, I have a few degrees and would want to date you b/c you're a classy, elegant woman, not b/c of your salary potential....well, a little b/c of that too.

[MissBee]

I did well in highschool, I didn't have any extracurricular activities but I had a good GPA(3.4), took a few AP(US government and history) classes and got into all of the state schools I applied to(Colorado state university and University of Colorado) as well as a few smaller liberal arts colleges. I ultimately decided not to go to any of them and spent two years playing video games, working odd jobs and taking a class here and there. I finally transferred to another junior college and while I completed the coursework, this past summer I failed my final class, I was 4 credits away from a degree. This was a month ago I decided not to go back and re-try. I hated college, I hated going to lectures, and I hated programming and math. I only chose my major based on earning potential(Computer science). My gpa was abysmal(2.5 and has probably gone down due to the failed class).

 

I just can't get motivated, my parents are both educated(my mom has an associates degree, my dad has a masters) I grew up in a solid middle class home and never wanted for anything. In fact, I didn't qualify for any financial aid because my parents made too much, so being from a poor background isn't the issue in my case. I am 22 and I still do not know what I want to do with my life

 

I moved back in with my parents(who financed my education) and have decided to focus on finding a job, fixing my stress and social anxiety problems, my chronic depression. Over the last two years I have gained 50lbs and my health(physical and mental) has gone downhill. I feel like a pig, I went from 5'9 and 130lbs to 180lbs. I can't believe I let myself go like this.

 

I have never been on a date, I have never been kissed. I don't believe in premarital sex or co-habitation. I am 22, I would like to be married by 26(my mom got married at 23 and has been married to my father for more than 30 years, my father was 30 and divorced for a year when they married). I started a diet and exercise regimen today, and I am looking for a job that I can use my programming skills with, but I am just very depressed. One of my classmates said an educated man would not look twice at me(she had a bachelors and was changing careers). One guy even lost interest when he found out I had no plans to transfer. Going back to college is just not in any of my plans for the near future, I just need a break.

 

 

Many people date people without college degrees and some don't have any themselves. That is not a marer of your worth. I'm at the highest level of education you can get and I've dated men without college degrees; however, they were doing well for themselves in a path of their choosing and were intelligent, well-read and didn't lack anything besides that paper.

 

I don't think you should be worried about dating though, if you're suffering from depression and are in poor health, those things will put a damper on your dating life more than not having a degree. I would suggest you focus on getting yourself together and healthy mentally and physically, finding a job, and figuring out your life and allow a relationship to fall into that versus not having ANY of that in place but expecting to find a husband.

[stillafool]

I don't know if you are being sarcastic or not.

 

No, I was quite serious. I didn't know my post came across that way because you sound like a great catch. I know alot of young women who would love a man like you.

[SugarLips72]

Since I dont have a college degree, I could care less if a guy has one or not. What matters is that he has a job, has good work ethic, makes a decent living.

 

I make a very decent living considering I have no degree. In fact neither one of my sisters has one either and we all make middle class. I work in my sister has worked for the state for almost 20 years so she has a killer pension set up and great benefits. My other sister has her series 7 has has been a banker for 15 years and works in wealth mgmt.

 

I know several people with degrees that cannot keep a job. So it is all relative.

[stillafool]

Now I'm defenitley sure you are being sarcastic. I haven't said anything that would suggest I'm a good catch, for all you know I might be a bad catch.

 

Infact I'm pretty sure that's what you are insinuating.... And considering I've never had a girlfriend you might even be right.

 

Oh God, okay so you can't take a compliment. I had no idea you have never had a gf nor do I know anything about your personal life. I liked your idea of going into mining and that you were looking for a girl who did not have a degree. Where I live there are lots of young women who want a man like you. That's all there was to it. If I had known my compliment would piss you off I would have kept it to myself.

[stillafool]

Okay, sorry for thinking you were being sarcastic. Hard to tell sometimes on the internet.

 

My original point was just that some people on here have the idea that people who don't have college degrees are "unsuccesful" and work minimum wage jobs flipping burgers or similar. That's why I brought up the mining thing to prove that that's not the case. Alot of trades people earn pretty good.

 

I can understand if somebody only want to date college educated people because they view them as more compatible in personality or whatever.

 

But it annoys me when people think no college = failure at life.

 

Me too.

 

No problem. I like men who work outdoors and many women consider it a turn on. Especially what you're trying to do. I wish you luck.

[ThaWholigan]

I don't have a degree myself (maybe someday) so I do not have any problem at all dating someone without a college education. Some of the smartest people I've known have never been to college.

[FitChick]

I've dated men without college degrees but they were very successful. They were also very intelligent and insatiably curious, continuing their education on their own by reading everything they could get their hands on and attending cultural events like opera and theater. They were better informed and more sophisticated than men with "official" degrees.

 

I wouldn't date someone with a degree who was in a dead end job that anyone without a degree could do, or who had no interest in learning new things. Boring!

[hoping2heal]

Like another poster said; some real morons out there with college degrees/advanced education and some very intelligent people who have never been.

 

The lack of education wouldn't be a problem for me so long as they were doing something else. Not everyone wants or does well in the traditional education route but it is necessary for many people if they ever hope to find work and pay the bills. Yeah, there are a ton of articles out right now about unemployed college grads. Pu Pu on that I say, college is not a panacea sure, but it seems like it's always the same majors who graduating and can't find a job after. "What do you mean no one cares I was a theater major?" "I'm not getting much work with my Masters in Photography" etc. "Why doesn't anyone want to hire a history major?" etc.

 

But, if a person chooses not to attend college there are votech schools, certifications a person can get for employment in certain fields, etc. One may not choose to attend college but they should be doing something productive. Of course you mentioned going to work which is fine and nothing wrong with that but chances are you'll be working for very little $$$. Which depending on where you live that would be more or less reasonable for paying for the basics.

[Jon Tenzo]

The hard reality is people are going to judge you for not having a degree. People are going to judge you for being fat. People will judge you for drinking bodega coffee and not Starbucks. People will judge you for the way you walk, talk and anything else they are able to perceive.

 

The judgement does not end because you get your degree. The judgement doesn't end when you lose weight. The judgement does not end because you become a frappuchino addict. It never ends.

 

What you have to ask yourself is what is important to YOU? For me I always equated a good education will lead to a good job which leads to the ability to play video games, drink alcohol and have sex, enjoy all of the material things life has to offer. Of course this is very off from the other part of myself which would like to be above those things.

 

The fact remains is that some things are unfortunately very necessary in life. That is work, taxes and having some command over a finite skill or commodity. My field the demand is higher than the supply so I know very well I am privileged at the moment but that can change at any time. I have to remain open to similar fields as well and be careful to not be silo'ed. If you fall into a silo you are more vulnerable to being obsolete and having your job outsourced or shipped to Mumbai, India or Jakarta, etc.

 

Now in regards to choosing the major with the most money plenty of my classmates did that and either dropped out or switched majors. You can't succeed in a field you aren't passionate about. Fortunately I developed a passion for analysis and data which just happens to be very lucrative right now. If I stick with it I can do well for myself. It's a lot more profitable than the field I originally was going to go into so I can't really complain.

 

Either way long story short you need to focus on either losing weight OR progressing in your studies OR your career. A man is not going to go out of his way to date a woman that is both unmotivated professionally and personally. I know plenty of men that date women that are overweight but who are highly skilled and motivated professionals. So you don't have to do both things at once but you DO have to take care of at least one aspect of your life.

 

When I was unemployed I was in the best shape of my life. Sadly as I have seen the more success you have in your career the more difficult it is to stay in top shape. I still look OK but my endurance levels have dropped below what I consider to be acceptable (even though I can still outrun Mr. Bolt in a 100 meter dash )

[El Brujo]

For once I agree with ThaWholigan. I don't see how getting a college degree would make my blood any redder than the next guy's.

[Raye]

Thanks for all the great responses!

[thefooloftheyear]

So wait a minute!!!!!!!!!!! so some of you that think you dont need a degree

will tell your kids to stay at home and will not push them to get a degree because you think they will make it anyway???????????????? because you did it??

 

IN my case, no...

 

Like I stated earlier in the thread. My college degree did absolutely nothing to get me where I am today(I am fairly wealthy-all accomplished by being self employed, real estate, and the stock market). Am I proud I have my diploma? I suppose so (shrug)...Too bad I nevre used it practically for anything in my life since i earned it.

 

My daughter is at the top of her class..Very smart child. Aside from scholastic achievements, I try to teach her the "common sense" things about life that no school/college will ever prepare her for..I teach her about things like money management and customer service..I have been bringing her with me to my businesses and show her what happens on a daily basis. The good and the bad. She is getting an education no school can ever teach you.

 

I will strongly advise her to attend college and follow through. If she came to me a few years in and with a business idea, Id still tell her to stay with it and finish..I just dont believe all people need a diploma to be succcessful and/or polished. Its been proven a million times over.

 

TFY