An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)

Original post by suven

Apr 27, 2005 05:23 PM

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?

nov04LIbride Posted: Apr 27, 2005 08:22 PM

Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)

Posted by NPbride
ETA: 12 people said yes. I'm curious as to there explanations!

I said yes, my opinion is 'better' (I never would phrase it like this--I would say my opinion of areas in my field in which I work is usually backed by research and studies, coupled with my 5 years work experience in the field, whereas other workers may just have a gut feeling or feelings based on previous experience). Never would I say my opinion on all matters is 'better' because of my schooling...My IQ would be the same had I not gone to college, but working on a doctorate in that subject area (and born into a family with 2 parents with advanced degrees--and a father with the same doctorate...) has definitely helped me become more learned in that particular subject area. By the end of my dissertation (which is a topic with little research) I may know more about this particular area than anyone else in the country.

mrswask Posted: Apr 27, 2005 08:25 PM

Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)

I don't think I'm better than anyone but I think that I'm better than the jobs I've had lately and it's frustrating that I'm not using my Master's that I worked so hard to get!

suven Posted: Apr 27, 2005 09:05 PM

Re: An honesty poll for those with Master's, Doctorate (or other post grad degrees)

I said yes. But, in the context that I have a coworker with no HR education. Often, she will suggest things that are not legal, or not a good idea for other reasons. Her lack of knowledge in the HR field could be costly for her clients. When I disagree with her, it's based on the info that I learned while persuing my Master's in HR.

So, in this context- work related to my field of study, I rated my opinion better as a result of my education.

edited to add: in NO way am I making a generalization that my opinion is better than someone else's simply because I have a master's degree. I am sticking to my field of study here.