An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
suven
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An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
Do you ever feel superior to someone else simply because you have an advanced degree?
for example, let's say you have to work with someone who is about the same age as you, but has a slightly higher position/ or a tiny bit more authority than you.
When things aren't working out well, do you think to yourself, 'I can't believe I have to put up with this garbage. I have a ______degree and s/he is ignorant'
Or, something along those lines?
Jax430
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
I never feel superior just b/c of my degree. However, I have to admit that I do get frustrated when I feel that I am more intelligent than my superiors. For example, when I was 17, I had a retail job in the mall. My managers were not the brightest in the world, and I had a very difficult time taking instruction from them. However, I came to realize that while I may have been more intelligent, I was lousy at retail, while it was a talent for them.
I don't think people without advanced degrees are ignorant at all. There are plenty of people without common sense who have doctorates and very intelligent people who never went to college.
Preshy7
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
my opinion?
i have my masters. big wop! im no better.
sweetadeline
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
I very rarely feel superior to anyone, knowledge-wise. There are certain subjects that I've studied, so I know a lot about those subjects. I know very little about other topics, though. Even in my field, I'd gladly defer to someone else's knowledge or ideas.
Also, I find that a lot of people have sharper 'street smarts' and common sense than I do. I have a lot of respect for those people.
Anniegrl
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
Nope - never feel that way at all. There are so many people that I know who don't have an advanced degree that are way smarter than me.
matron
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
While I don't feel above certain people, per se, I do find myself saying, 'Why am I doing this crappy job that a 5 yr old can do when I have a freaking masters?' or 'Why am I getting pd $X when XYZ didn't even graduate HS and is getting pd $X more.' But, I honestly believe my degree is just a piece of paper and have met MANY people who are much smarter than me with much less education. My grandfather, for examle, never finished hs and was the smartest man I've met. He could answer every question on Jeopardy (seriously) and do NY TImes crosswords in like 2 minutes flat.
TwoBugs
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
I don't feel superior to anyone for any reason.
I'm not better than anyone just because I have a PhD, and the fact that I know a ton of stuff about my ridiculously narrow dissertation topic, which has absolutely no utility in the real world, isn't something most people are impressed by.
Of course, I'm very proud of what I have accomplished. But it doesn't automatically make me 'better' or smarter than anyone else...
palebride
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
Nah. I only have my masters because my job requires it - doesn't make me any smarter than anyone else.
Honestly, it bothers me a lot when people have a feeling of superiority over other because of their level of education. Going to college and getting a degree gives you different information - that's about it
RedHead
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
Posted by TwoBugs
Of course, I'm very proud of what I have accomplished. But it doesn't automatically make me 'better' or smarter than anyone else...
WELL PUT.. i have my masters and i am proud of that and the university i got it from but does that make me superior
NO!
TracyInQueens
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
No, because nearly everyone I work with has a masters. And truth be told, many of them are morons.
The only time I do feel occasionally superior is when I am dealing with brand-new teachers. I have worked in a 'mentor' capacity for the past three summers with an organization that recruits top college grads and trains them to teach in inner city schools, and some of them think they know it all. But it's my experience, not my education, that makes me feel superior. And that's an isolated situation.
FireIslandLove
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
I will be graduating next year with my Master's. I don't think that my opinions are superior, but I sometimes think some of the work I do is ridiculous. I'll say sarcastically (out loud of course ) 'I'm so glad I'm getting my Master's - it's really coming in handy.' I work with a lot of people who have their Master's so I would never assume that I know more than anyone. And just because I am more educated than someone doesn't mean that they don't know more than me.
halloweenbride04
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
I don't feel superior because I have a M.S. and it makes me feel awkward when I talk about something I've accomplished at work and they say 'well you DO have a M.S. degree' what the hell does that mean? I will admit that sometimes at work I'll be pitching in with stuffing envelopes or something menial and I'll say something like 'I'm glad I spent all that time and money to get a M.S. degree to stuff envelopes!' But then I feel bad for saying it because I feel fortunate that I was able to pursue my educational goals.
ETA: I dated a guy with a doctorate and he was a real moron!
nov04LIbride
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
Everyone I work with pretty much has a Master's (and a Master's is getting so common now) that I don't think it is a big deal. Working on my doctorate in the area in which I work, I do often feel like I know more about the theories/principles behind what I do than my co-workers. In meetings instead of saying 'I feel' I can say 'I know x and y studied this and found that this way is best.' I think nearly anyone can get a master's or a doctorate nowadays, so the paper itself does not prove much. I am more proud of my bachelor's degree at a school where I worked my @ss off every day for it, than my master's from Stony Brook which was cake and my doctorate.
Diane
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
Posted by RedHead
Posted by TwoBugs
Of course, I'm very proud of what I have accomplished. But it doesn't automatically make me 'better' or smarter than anyone else...
WELL PUT.. i have my masters and i am proud of that and the university i got it from but does that make me superior
NO!
same here and I agree
skew
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
as someone else mentioned, a masters degree is so common. many fields will not hire someone that hasn't earned a master's degree. so no, i do not and never have felt superior to others w/o a masters.
Goldi1021
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
Posted by skew
as someone else mentioned, a masters degree is so common. many fields will not hire someone that hasn't earned a master's degree. so no, i do not and never have felt superior to others w/o a masters.
I agree. I am a teacher and by law, I have to have my Master's for permanent certification. I am simply glad I finished my coursework and got my certifications before 'recertification.' came into effect. WHEW!
NPbride
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
I have a master's and I'm usually the least educated in my field! So, no I never feel superior! The only time I have ever felt slightly 'superior' than someone was when someone in FI's said that all he needs to do is an associate's and he'll make $100+ in his field (so he thinks!) and it's a waste to complete a bachelor's if all that is required of him is an associate's. I felt that it was such an ignorant comment that I admit I felt a little superior (he irritates me for other reasons but that incident is appropriate to the thread!)
ETA: 12 people said yes. I'm curious as to their explanations!
Boop2704
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
I don't per se feel I am better than anyone, however I went to school and was trained in a certain area and when someone tries to pretend their a know it all in my specialty, when they have no clue what they are talking about, I definitely think to myself how I have a MS degree in this area and she doesn't. Its not that I feel I am superior, but I know for a fact from what I was trained to do that I know more than a certain person that pretends they know it all. Does this make sense?? I would never come out and tell someone I am better than them because of my degree because I know I am not, but in my specialty I know I am better than a specific person imparticular who thinks they know it all!!
beautyq115
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
My Masters was the biggest joke and waste of money....I could never feel superior to anyone after that education
princess99
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Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)
I have a masters and certifications beyond my masters.... big deal, it did not get me anywhere! Except a student loan!
