Career Advice #4

Because I missed yesterday's update (cleaning blood stains from ceiling tiles is a real challenge), we'll be cutting the Career Advice series short at four installments. I know you're heartbroken, but try to pull yourself together.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, my advice to you: Education matters.

As a high school student in Utah I was told that local schools provided the same quality education as any university in the world. I was also told that my name was not unusual, but we're only focusing on the first falsehood right now. Let me be blunt -- there is a high correlation between the quality of your education and your hire-ability. My post-secondary education represents a wide spectrum of quality: mediocre public university undergraduate, Ivy League MBA. I've been part of the student body at both institutions, observed the relative career developments of graduates, and assessed candidates from both worlds as a recruiter. Anyone who tells you there is not a substantial difference in the quality of graduates from good schools versus everywhere else is either ignorant or a liar.

This is not to say that you must be educated at elite institutions. It does mean you should get the best possible education from the best school that will admit you. It also means that job seekers must be aware of the obstacles they face if their educational experiences are not the best. No one cares if you graduate cum laude if your university is outside the top twenty; I know from experience. If you want to compete at the top levels of business or break into a Wall Street career you're better off being #300 at Penn than #3 at Podunk State. We may not like or agree with this situation, but it is reality.

If you are an LDS parent, particularly one in the western US, don't perpetuate education lies. You're not doing your children any favors by telling them that BYU is a top tier school. And for heavens sake, if you or your children are as stupid as me and end up at the U, start studying for graduate school entrance exams now.