How much of the college education premium is payoff to useful human capital?

[rah]

The people who aren't high on themselves lack the confidence because they've been wrong a lot. It shouldn't surprise you that the people who are usually right, historically, may seem high on themselves if they trust their judgement over people without such a track record.

The key is to be supremely confident and high on yourself without being condescending or arrogant (in the sense that you're not receptive to the input of others). Alpha geeks who know their **** and assume they're right are not a bad thing, it just needs to be controlled. Projecting that confidence though is key, especially in consulting.

Agreed 100%. There is a fine line between projecting confidence and coming off as arrogant. And the best can't hide it 100% but as you say, I wouldn't expect them too.

And if nothing else from hanging here, I've learned that you and KH are the types of talent that I strive to having working for me, because I'd know stuff was getting done without me having to handhold people.

[KrazyHorse]

I doubt you pay enough for me to work for you.

[rah]

Your skill set doesn't match what I manage. I have no doubts that you'd be good at it but it would be below you and yes, while I can offer good amounts, it probably wouldn't meet your expectations.

[KrazyHorse]

[Asher]

I should also point out that I make a pretty mean powerpoint deck these days to convince the CTO to do what I want. I certainly didn't learn that **** in school.

I'm on my 3rd 30+ slide deck this week alone.

[rah]

Presentations skills are taught in schools. Granted it's not going to magically transform a wall flower into a outgoing personality, but they can improve existing skills. Since poli-sci was the path for law school there were quite a few courses that dealt with presentation, debate, and other necessary courtroom skills.

[Asher]

Presentations skills are taught in schools. Granted it's not going to magically transform a wall flower into a outgoing personality, but they can improve existing skills. Since poli-sci was the path for law school there were quite a few courses that dealt with presentation, debate, and other necessary courtroom skills.

Thinking back, in 2nd year I was mandated to take a Technical Writing course which included presentation skills. But I thought it was a waste of time as it all seemed to be common-sense.

They spent a week talking about how to write memos. I took it the same term I had to take a Logic 101 Philosophy course.

I WONDER WHERE I GOT MY CONTEMPT FOR LIBERAL ARTS COURSES?

[rah]

If the course tapes you and let's you view it back it can be real helpful. Mostly for showing you what you do when you're transitioning. If you watch yourself say "uh" 20 times, it gives you something substantial to work on. Yes, I agree that most will seem like common sense to most, but will not be to those that are really inexperienced in that area. Especially since most people rate public speaking as scarier than death.

[KrazyHorse]

Whenever I speak in public I wear a bomb vest on a dead man trigger. It's very helpful to know that at any moment all I have to do is let go of the button to take every bastard in the room with me.

[rah]

That method was never presented in any of my classes.

[DanS]

While I have a vague notion that higher education of any sort is useful for many reasons, I wonder whether the signaling is false more often than not. 75% of the populace has not graduated college and I suspect that the majority of people with good business potential are in that 75%.

Companies may have higher batting averages with college graduates, but they pay a lot more for the at bat. Hiring liberal arts college grads may be a good way to pay a little less for the at bat.

Of course, there are some specialties that require degrees as a matter of credentials -- e.g., accountants, lawyers, etc. The requirements seem to continue to creep up.

[KrazyHorse]

Dan, what do you mean by "good businesspeople"? People with ownership of a profitable business?

Even by that metric, I doubt what you say is true (assuming you correct for demographic skew toward older people)

[KrazyHorse]

That method was never presented in any of my classes.

I think outside the box.

[rah]

Like I said, in most cases it's just an entry ticket.

Look in the paper and see how many jobs say the require a degree but really don't.

I've worked at many companies and for developers and programmers there were years where the companies required a degree and years where it wasn't required and I probably couldn't tell the difference of those we hired, quality wise, in the long run.

[rah]

I think outside the box.

I guess that method is better than the pretend everyone is naked method.