Career Tear

Posing the question “Does a College Degree Define Your Value in Society?”

I read an intriguing article on Forbes.com highlighting the importance of networking within the feminine circle. I instantaneously agreed with the wonderful ideas presented until I explored tip #4 – “Go Beyond Facebook” which focused on peer-powered networking.

A recommended group to join was a prestigious women empowerment group Immediately I thought “If it is good enough for Forbes then it is great enough for me!”  I was redirected to their online  site and applied my online researching skills to good use.

To my astonishment, I saw an example of unblemished diversity among a blemished minority.  The premise is to connect and motivate women “who have graduated college or are current undergraduate students” with “women who have graduated college or are current undergraduate students.”  How perfect!  Wait, what about if I attended college, does that count?  What if I was a stay at home mom?  What if I am an entrepreneur? Most importantly what if I was a Dreamer?

I did not chose the traditional path of college and corporate.  Instead I created my own path of dream and purpose.  At the age of 17, I did not know what I wanted to do in life, but I carried a torch of passion within my spirit. I loved the structure of corporate America and at the age of 21 I worked my way up the ladder.  By the age of 24, I questioned my contribution to life and set out to do more with the talents graced to me by God.  I moved to Atlanta by age 25 and started my own company within months of stepping foot on Georgia soil. I began with Resume Writing, graduated to Career Consulting and have sprouted in the direction of Corporate Training and Career Development. I am living beyond the infancy of a dream.  To this date my torch still emits a flare of creativity and vision.

To ignore a woman’s societal contributions through the process of scrutiny and inclusion by collegiate standing is amplifying the very discrimination that you are attempting to eliminate. I support the execution of any organization that promotes the achievements, celebrates the bond and reinforces the dedication of women in corporate America.  I still wonder is there any room for a Dreamer?

Emotions aside, this group is not the target of my soapbox annoyance. I salute the dedication of any goal setter who has invested four plus years of sacrifice and prioritization to emerge a better person through a college degree.  It is amazing the value of learning that an institution adds to the quality of one’s life. I shall never discourage nor minimize the significance of learning and education.  With high importance, I promote avenues of continuous professional development and long term self-development. To praise degreed professionals yet slight the contributions of tassel-less dreamers is discouraging.

Let’s break down the demographic success of the group as reflected on the organization’s website.

Level of Education
38% – Bachelor’s Degree Only
51% – MBA
10% – Master’s
1%  – PhD
100% – Where is there room for a dreamer?

The organizations hand selected elite originate from a pedigree of Fortune 500 corporations and international business conglomerates.   I, however, emerge from a leading class of women who have blazed trails, spearheaded change, invoked thought, connected societies, created empires, lead teams, nursed generations [thanks to stay at home moms!], cheered leaders [thanks to soccer moms!], motivated groups, inspired souls, celebrated love, encouraged diversity, shattered glass ceilings and put roofs on fire.

Perhaps I am ignorant to the essence of the organization.  Perhaps I am lacking in facts.  Perhaps my emotions are misdirected.  Perhaps I am wrong. What is the worse that could happen? Being wrong just simply means there is room for Dreamers.

Stephanie Robertson is an Executive Career Consultant and Corporate Trainer for Career Tier of Atlanta.  She is heralded for her strengths to promote honest corporate dialogue and is passionate about workplace elevation.