vc318

Overlooking the huge job loss that people have experienced over the past few years, I've always wondered what people thought mattered most in obtaining a job: was it the person's experience, their level of education or the language they spoke? I guess it varies as to where one lives but in Florida, it seems that language is the factor most important in getting a job. For example, if one was able to speak Spanish over one who could only speak English, the Spanish-speaking individual would be hired for the job.

So, are these factors important to employers or are they too much of a big deal? As tuition goes up, is obtaining a college degree really a sure guarantee for a job anymore? Please share your thoughts.

Jen Jaree

I think it depends on where you live and what the main language is. In Canada our national languages are English and French. French is usually spoken is eastern Canada. I live in western Canada. I live in the Vancouver area and we have a large Asian (particulary Chinese) and South Asian population. Not very many jobs here require speaking soley Mandrian, Cantonese, or Punjabi. Being able to speak those languages is an asset but not required. I know in Ontario and Quebec a lot of jobs require being billingual in English and French.

But on weither education, experience, or languages is the most important I think it depends what the job is. I came from a town where there were no entry level jobs other than McDonalds. Sometimes education and experience don't matter as long as you have a positive attitude.

sunnykerr

I, too, think it depends on the job. Certain fields require a specific basic set of skill that you can only get through education. Well, that take far less time to acquire through education.

I think experience is probably the most important factor overall, but in order to get your foot in the door, education is required. For instance, you have a better chance at getting experience in the journalism field if you have a journalism degree. But you may have had experience in a related field (law, business, etc.) that would allow you to be hired as a journalist specializing in that field. Even then, though, it's hard getting law experience without some sort of law degree to begin with.

And I do think that, as the world is getting "smaller," language is crucial. If for nothing else than to reflect an open mind and a willingness to learn new things. Which is, of course, incredibly easy for me to say since I can speak more than one language.

vc318

I think once you learn the trade, the opportunity to earn money is there whether you get the degree or not. Of course, only certain professions allow this.
For example, you'd be surprised how well plumbers and auto mechanics get paid with little to no degree requirement. Also, their job is more secured than most professions out there. A plumber can charge as much as they want if they have to get out of their bed to take care of a job.

sunnykerr

That's true enough. But there are also a lot of fields where you wouldn't even get in the door (unless, you know, you scammed your way in, which I don't recommend) without some education somewhere. Nurses, doctors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, teachers, translators, library technicians, dental hygienist, dentist, and so on and so forth.

With trades (carpentry, plumbing, electrician, mechanic, etc.), there's a real opportunity to learn on the job. But, even then, I would hope that the people who pursue those fields take the time to educate themselves on the basics (code requirements and so forth).