We Don't Need No Stinking Badges

....or diplomas. When a product (college) costs more and delivers less value (jobs), young people may well become discouraged about their prospects of achieving the American dream. Fortunately, in the recovering tech economy college is not the only path to a good job. Employers are hiring workers with aptitude in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics (STEM). [bold added].

A new report, "The Hidden STEM Economy," reveals that a university degree is not required for 27.5 percent of all jobs in the San Jose area in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. The number is even higher -- 36 percent -- in San Francisco and the East Bay. [snip]

Drawing from high schools, vocational schools and community colleges, these jobs pay annual salaries averaging $73,000 [note: the national average is $53,000]-- less than positions requiring a university degree, but $30,000 a year more than those in fields outside science, technology, engineering and math.

It won't be easy, one may have to defer one's "real" calling, and one may have to swallow some pride initially because of lower pay and status, but after a few months on the job most co-workers won't care about where or even if one went to college. In the pay-for-performance economy it's remarkable how many people succeed once they get in the door.