What value
a degree?
A degree is only
worth
what the market
can pay.
Paid from gross national product
a country produces.*
All education is down time... though
a necessary economic luxury.
There is also
credential inflation.**
Redundant technologies
new research techniques
undermining this value.
This is a degrees
financial value.
A degree
is a recognized
level of ignorance.
A measured graded
accounting of markers;
approved component knowledge,
research skills and diction.
Graduate, Honours, Masters, Ph.d.,
in a limited specialized area.
A degree may also
have an egotistical value
be necessary for a career
or needed self esteem.
This is a degrees
intrinsic value.***
If a degree is
necessary to you
it is worth something
essentially valuable
if not a degree
is nothing
but wasted
unfocused effort.
The value of a degree
unspecified unidentified
an approximate amount
expressing time in relation
to specific numbers
qualities opportunities
a phenomenon key
awaiting recipient action.
* In the 1990’s in any developed country at least one third of the population was involved in education annually. This percentage included all students from preschool through to universities, all apprenticeships and technological training or up skilling, research, development and associated dependent industries, and all personal teaching these skills. The cost of all this on going education had to be paid for from the gross national product a country produced.
** This equates to more degrees equals inferior jobs and salaries. An example is the United Kingdom in the 1970’s when 4% of the population obtained a degree compared to the 1990’s when 30% did.
*** Inherent; belonging to the nature of a thing; essential; real.
Copyright © Terence George Craddock
A degree is recognised level of ignorance So very true Yet the world demands pieces of paper
Great piece of work! Yes, who then gives a degree to the inventor who never went to school? ! I love this poem. Thanks for sharing it with us. E.K.L.
a DEGREE can never define someone. A degree maybe can upgrade someone's status but is not useful or meaningful for their life, soul and journey for the final destination. well done.
A thought provoking poem. Know so many that have degrees and cant get a job! Now a trade on the other hand....Well penned friend; D
A truthful episode of thoughtfulness. As always, your writing makes me wonder about life. Once again, amazing
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
I too often question the value of a 'Degree' and the implicit faith everyone seems to have in it...The last two stanzas of your poem aptly focus on its real value...good write