[qwikz28]

Originally Posted by ****OnWheels

Imagine I'm an employer. I have 2 candidates with equal work histories, just one has a PhD and one has a Masters. The PhD is asking for $20k more per year than the MA. The big boss is worried about profit. Everything else being equal, which would I pick? The one I can pay less to, so my boss is happy, no doubt.

It happens all the time. My dad tried to get his friend into his company...the friend was told he was overqualified for the position and wouldn't hire him. And he only had a BA I believe, but a ton of experience.

Go take a look at graduate school application statistics. There are often 200 applicants for 3 spots at many universities just to study there. Assume those at least 100 of those people actually have a decent application to be considered, and those 100 do find a placement somewhere. You know have 100 graduates in a few years time looking for work, of which exists only a few spots in academia. Multiply that by the number of schools in the US for that program, and you see the problem.

Having a BA will open more doors than a HS diploma or GED will. We've established that. Often, an MA will open more doors than a BA. But a PhD is not always going to open more doors than an MA. A good degree will NOT ensure you a good place in life. It could, and more often than not probably will. But it is not the only thing that will get you anywhere.

Still don't believe me, go to the LiveJournal community applyingtograd and ask about job prospects for certain fields. Or look at the memories as I believe there have been many posts about it (I'm a member, I used it to help me when I applied to grad school and I continue to help when I can).

There are a few professions where the competition isn't as rough. In school psychology (my field), the baby boomers will be retiring soon, and there is a dire need in many areas of the country for school psychs. Not many people want to work in the schools, so there aren't many people in grad school for this position (must have a grad degree to be a school psych). That's the only profession I'm sure of though, since I"m living through it now. And yes, other professions will have the baby boomers retiring shortly, but many of those professions already have an influx of competent replacements, often too many for a relatively small number of positions.

we're arguing the same point. only i am adding the variable that those said "overqualified" applicants who are asking for more money will eventually accept a less paying job because of the abundance of applicants... now answer me this, for the same salary, would you rather have a PhD or a masters applicant? in this instance, having a higher degree will come to your benefit.