Is it the same thing?

For a number or reasons this week I have had cause to think about the value of higher education, do we discriminate against people without degrees, and in fact do I regret the choices I made.

Replying to a post on LinkedIn I offered the following:

I have been (probably more times than I know!) precluded from roles purely because I don’t have a degree. In fact having started programming at 14, and published (got paid for) my first programme (we didn’t call them ‘apps’ in those days 😂 ) when I was 15, I couldn’t see any value wasting more time sitting at school when I could be earning. 

I sometimes reflect on whether I regret that. Overall I think not.

Had the opportunity been available to go to an exclusive private school and then an elite university, I think that would have been a different kettle of fish. Not because of the educational value, but purely because of the networking opportunity and the doors that would have been left ajar for me as a result. 

Unfair opportunity? Absolutely and I would have shamelessly grasped it with both hands (and teeth probably!!!). But as for staying in “standard class” education and then doing some meaningless degree… Not for me. I see that as a bullet missed.