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  So I was in a school meeting the other day to advocate for a child I am humbly working to serve as part of my day job in the social service/non profit industry, and one of the staff of the school started talking about what his niece or something wanted to do in the industry, and he asked if there was any way she could obtain the job without having a Masters degree.  He looked over at me at one point and said, "So, all of you have a masters degree, correct ?"  When I said no, he seemed to have a puzzled look on his face.  It wasn't that he expected, and/or demanded, that such a person have this higher level of education.  He brought up the question, because, he said to me, "oh, well I just assumed that you were on that level based on the way you are communicating with us today and discussing the needs of the child in such an eloquent manner......blah blah blah".  Now, this isn't the first time I have heard this during my 8+ years working in this field.  Some ask as a way to feel me out and see if I'm smart enough to have to listen to and accept ideas from.  Others do it out of pure curiosity and because they know someone who wishes to be in the field and wants to know how hard it is.  
    Well, how about this for you geniuses out there.  Outside of being called a smart ass, no-filter talking, take charge kind of attitude that has gotten me many a write-up at work, I have at the same time been praised, acknowledged, and rewarded for excellent work at every job I have ever worked in this field.  And you know what?  Along with not having a f*cking masters degree, I also don't even have a Bachelor's Degree in the field that I am working in. (My degree is in Criminal Justice, and I did that because they had the coolest classes/subjects to study)  
    Here is why I bring this up.  Has anyone ever read up on any information regarding the social services/non profit industry.  If so, then you would know that is year after year considered one of the lowest paid professions in the country.  So, obviously, here is my question to you:  Why the hell do you need such a high level of education to work in one of the lowest paid industries there are out there?  In the corporate and entertainment industry, it seems to be all about who you know.  In the social service industry, it seems to be about what you know and what you have studied.  Interesting.  Especially since High School diploma having Lebron James is worth millions, Brad Pitt can make $20 million a film, and a college dropout can become the richest man in the United States of America with something called "Microsoft". 
    What does a diploma, degree, or doctorate have to do with what you as an individual can contribute to this society.  What does an "A" in Math or Science have to do with creating an idea that will truly change the world as we know it.  Maybe we do want the person preforming our surgery to have as much knowledge as possible about the human body, but if you asked me whether I would rather be  Dr. Smith, who currently works double shits at the hospital to help pay off the $150K in student loans, hoping and praying that knowone sues him for malpractice, or instead be Joey from Brooklyn, who dropped out of high school to start a web design business, social network or search engine idea that he later sells for $4 billion to somebody, I think i will take option 2 for $4 billion Alex.