[quote=no idea]or go ahead sister? speak it brother? you ain't never lied?[/quote]

Throw out those clocks and watches, we're on Holy Ghost time now!

One of the problems with the formally educated is the arrogance it breeds. Like telling someone without a degree that they should be driving a UPS truck. Snobbery at its worst.

I agree that a degree is or will soon be a minimum requirement. Is it really necessary to succeed in this career? In a word, no. However, the gate keepers, most of whom are very similar to the chair warmers Meno speaks of, will make it so.

What I find interesting is the incredible disconnect between education and the real world. Of course much of this can be attributed to the fact that many, if not most educators have never worked in the real world. This neatly explains why they encourage young men and woman to spend their parent's hard earned money pursuing degrees in art, or music. Or to obtain an equally useless under grad in psychology or marine biology. Of course these are all worthy advocations but, go to four years of school for any of these, and by no means is this the complete list, and you can get a job folding jeans at the Gap. A few will go on for the post grad, and some will find work at social agencies, and some will go on to that great bastion of the useless without PhD degrees, State Government. Where they will fit quite nicely into a career of the 35 hour work week trying to hide from the new incoming governor every four years but, most will be working at Walmart scratching their heads thinking I thought I was smarter than this.

tjc45–do you have a degree?

[quote=NASD Newbie]

Whatever, I ask again.  How many of you who were bright enough to understand that getting a degree is important in life figure that yours is/are nothing more than pieces of paper indicating that you wasted four or more years of your life?

If you have a degree do you figure that you wasted those years even though an elementary school drop out can qualify for your job?

[/quote]

I got hired at a "top 3" firm w/o a college degree and no industry experience.  Conventional learning options (college) were not much of an option to me (for reasons I don't care to go into).  I can say unequivocally that I am glad I chose not to go to college because it would have been a waste of four years FOR ME.  Different people have different learning approaches and life circumstances.

I for one put a lot more value in a persons actual aptitudes, qualities and achievements (which college is only one of many potential life achievements) not some f*ckin' piece of paper.  Being young (just turned 29) and living in a college town, I have a lot of very smart friends in college and I think that although it is a valuable experience for many, there is sooooo much BS that goes on, I have a hard time of understanding WHY employers really care at all. 

I think entering the workforce and paying bills and 'growing up' during those 4 years was a far better direction to go, plus I saved my self from the temptation to 'get lost' in all the college trappings of binge drinking and drugs.  In fact, in talking with my friends and seeing what there up to I have concluded that college is actually a tremendous distraction for the majority of students. 

For anyone familiar with the REALITY of college life, NASD's comments sound very nieve and ideal.  The truth is that college is a place to party for 4 years and learn some stuff....for most.

The request is not for yet another person who didn't have what it takes to finish to step up and scream, "Stop talking about me...."

What I'm looking for is somebody who did have what it takes to complete their education to step up and claim that those were wasted years.

[quote=tjc45]

One of the problems with the formally educated is the arrogance it breeds. Like telling someone without a degree that they should be driving a UPS truck. Snobbery at its worst.

[/quote]

Nicely said tjc. I have two cousins. Both of whom went to very good schools, one has degrees in Finance & Business Management, series 7, 6, 63 & 66 licensed. The other is a CFP, CFA, ChLU, Accountant & Registered Principal (with all according securities licenses).

When I announced at a family gathering 7 years ago that I would be joining my Rep as a BOA at Edward Jones, both cousins sneered & patrionizingly patted me on the head. Cousin #1 had just taken an intern's position at TCW/Cowen. Cousin #2 was endeavoring into "high stakes aquisitions & mergers". 

In the last 7 years, Cousin #1 has not managed to stay on more than 6 months at any place he has worked, and currently works as an order taker from day traders.  Cousin #2 managed to do well for himself, though spent money like a drunk monkey -- was fired one year ago, and has not gone back to work since, because he refuses to start from scratch.

Not the best use of a degree, I'd say.

By the way -- I did go to college. I am not doing what I set out to do in college.

I studied Early Childhood Education. I did work as a teacher in the early years of my marriage, before we had children and needed money to survive.

[quote=Devoted SA]

I have two cousins. Both of whom went to very good schools, one has degrees in Finance & Business Management, series 7, 6, 63 & 66 licensed. The other is a CFP, CFA, ChLU, Accountant & Registered Principal (with all according securities licenses).

[/quote]

Why would your cousin have a Series 6 and a Series 7?

Your cousin--with all those degrees and licenses--has been barred fom the business and simply cannot admit it to the family.

I had a series 6 and 63 first (worked as an intern at a WELL KNOWN insurnace company), then got 7 later, along with 66.

Put...shut up.

[quote=BankFC]

I had a series 6 and 63 first (worked as an intern at a WELL KNOWN insurnace company), then got 7 later, along with 66.

Put...shut up.

[/quote]

Tell me, genius, do you have a Series 6 and a Series 7?

I have a 6 & 7. First got 6 when I was a bank officer and they wanted us to be able to talk about the banks mutual funds. They blew up a nicely a few years down the road.

I don't question NASD. He's not the same person I grew up wanting to be like.

He's a jet set LA "kid" (even though he's nearly 40 & still lives like a frat boy) and whenever you ask him about his job and what he's doing -- you never get a straight answer. It's..."I'm puttin some feelers out there." "We're out there eatin a little bit of whatever we kill". ....

Mr. Fancy Pants he thinks he is. I'll just keep pluggin away.

[quote=NASD Newbie]

[quote=Devoted SA]

I have two cousins. Both of whom went to very good schools, one has degrees in Finance & Business Management, series 7, 6, 63 & 66 licensed. The other is a CFP, CFA, ChLU, Accountant & Registered Principal (with all according securities licenses).

[/quote]

Why would your cousin have a Series 6 and a Series 7?

Your cousin--with all those degrees and licenses--has been barred fom the business and simply cannot admit it to the family.

[/quote]

You would have a series 6 and series 7 if you obtained the 6 first and then obtained the 7.  Obviously, the series 6 is not needed when you then have the 7, but you still have it, nevertheless. 

So your premise is that a degree in anything from any school makes a person a better financial advisor.  How about a degree in Landscape Design, Medieval Art History, Mesoamerican Archeology (which I have), Women's Studies, Underwater Basket Weaving? How about someone who has obtained their degree on line through the University of Phoenix?  How do these examples make a person more qualified to construct a portfolio of investments?  I suppose you wouldn't hire Bill Gates and automatically relegate him to the cubby hole in your mind of loser.

Some of the most stupid people I have ever met are college graduates. They are elitist snobs, who haven' the slightest idea on how the real world works.  Some of the smartest and savviest business men I know haven't obtained degrees from an institute of "higher" learning.  Given the declining educational system that we have in this country (and I know you agree with me on this) the dubious quality of education and subsequent diploma is hardly what I would call a "gold standard".  (A cultural reference of which 90% of your college graduates are competely ignorant. I would be willing to bet big bucks if I were the gambling type.)  Many college students have graduated from 4 to 6 years of time wasting classes, political indoctrination from far left leaning clueless professors and having taken the easiest classes available just to get by and keep the GPA at a higher level.  They graduate without any real knowledge and certainly few job skills.

http://www.nas.org/print/pressreleases/hqnas/releas_18dec02. htm

http://www.freecongress.org/commentaries/2006/060202.asp

http://www.makestupidityhistory.org/2005/12/16/new-study-75- of-college-graduates-are-stupid/

This whole thread reminds me of the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz.  If he only has a piece of paper from he thinks he will suddenly become brilliant. He was smart all along.  Unfortunately for us, as a society, the determination that a piece of paper makes a person some how "better" than another is just another way to continue to create a permanent subclass of people.  Also is a way to reinforce the false presumption that there is a smart elite class that has the right to rule the sub-elites. 

Babs…if there were a way to combine a course of study in mesoamerican archeology & underwater basketweaving, which would then require a semester or six abroad – you wouldn’t find a more dedicated pupil than I.

[quote=NASD Newbie]

The request is not for yet another person who didn't have what it takes to finish to step up and scream, "Stop talking about me...."

What I'm looking for is somebody who did have what it takes to complete their education to step up and claim that those were wasted years.

[/quote]

NASD, do you have any grasp on the idea that people are different?  To you, the world should be one of conformist standardized lemmings marching to the beat of the hubristic (do you know what that word means?  Many of my college friends don't ) ideals of old white men.  In reading your posts, I have found that your grammar, sentence structure and ability to articulate concepts contradicts with the standards you set for others.  In essence...you are a hypocrite. 

I didn't go to college and I'd eat your lunch if it came to a contest of wit, intellect and ability to articulate (not that I'm a God of the written word or anything).  I certainly wipe my ass with my college friends when it comes to these atributes and you can't even compete with them.  They come to ME for help with their homework projects.  How could a lowly non-college graduate be of any good to these vastly superior human beings?  Guess what, if I was a business owner I'd probably hire the simpleton 'idiots' that developed a real work ethic by having to go to work everyday and manage their lives so they could be reliable employees...... instead of learning a pattern of distraction and partying then cramming last second for their finals before going back to the pattern of partying and ultimately hanging out, which in my experience is EXACTLY what college is all about (for the majority, which is what we should be addressing in this thread).  Yes there are exceptions to the rule but then.......that would just make my point stronger that IT'S THE INDIVIDUAL STOOOOPID.  No degree can verify, validate or provide proof that the individual is an exceptional person;  life experiences can though......and college isn't the only provider of life experience.

[quote=babbling looney]

I suppose you wouldn't hire Bill Gates and automatically relegate him to the cubby hole in your mind of loser.

[/quote]

Bill Gates is often tossed up--he never submitted a resume, but if he had he would have found most doors closed to him.

I get bored with everybody screaming, "Stop talking about me!!!" as they launch into the mind numbing litany of how unimportant having a college education is.

I have not read every comment but as of this moment I'm still waiting for somebody who did have what it takes to not quit to come along and say that they consider their efforts to have been as useless as those who don't have what it takes to accomplish a goal keep telling each other.

I had a great time in college. So much so that I extended it out for a few extra semesters. Was it wasted time? No, but looking back I sure wish I’d finished it faster. The best learning experience I ever had was living in a foreign country.

I wish there was a way to pull my last post....I'm such a sucker for these trolls.  Babbling Looney, the /ignore idea is a great one for sure!

You see.....NASD has actually provided some great insights and 'nuggets' of wisdom that demonstrate a nuanced understanding of our industry.  Some of his posts have been helpful for me, but this repetitive, regurgitated crap is getting on my nerves.  I am a sucker to even get involved anymore.

I don't understand how someone so foolish, ignorant and cheesy ever had any measure of success in this industry.  My experience of the succesful individuals in this business are nothing like NASD.  They may have gargantuan egos, a dose of arrogance and other undesirable traits, but they definitely have an understanding of the value of their time and don't waste other's time.  They focus mostly on themselves and ignore what others are doing.  In addition they have had one trait that is definitley missing in NASD's posts.......an clear understanding of what EFFECTIVE behavior is.....what produces meaningful results, not what strokes their ego.  They would choose to ignore (or keep reply's brief) those who are obviously not up to par. 

Doesn't match up.

[quote=NASD Newbie]tjc45--do you have a degree?[/quote]

College degree? No

I became disillusioned with the industrial- educational complex as a troubled young man and walked out of a very good school. I proceeded to go on to make several million dollars in my early and mid twenties only to lose all of it by my late twenties. I often wonder if the degree I was pursuing in Architecture would have changed that? We only know the road we travel, so that answer is unknowable.

I may go for a degree when I retire. Maybe one of the arts. My sister inlaw did that, graduated with triple majors in history, literature and art. She was sixty when she got her degree. I always thought that was cool.

I respect education but disrepect the way it is abused.

[quote=tjc45]

I proceeded to go on to make several million dollars in my early and mid twenties only to lose all of it by my late twenties.

[/quote]

Don't you hate it when that happens.  That's my story too.