It has been my experience that people who fall into the non-college smarts generally end up being more intelligent than the college smarts people because the non-college smart people tend to be involved in the most practical areas of the workforce. They’re either in areas of business, or areas of health, or areas of operations and so on, areas that call for their demand (granted they can’t in turn demand much without a degree, but at least they have a constant job that pays decently). For example I know one person who never went to college but instead started his own successful business that caters to installing home entertainment systems for average-to-rich people. And he’s been making some pretty good money out of it. See how he found a practical demand out there that he filled the need for.

Conversely I have not one, not two, but three college friends that come to mind, who by picking some of the most inane majors for their degrees are constantly experiencing the headache of either not finding work or being in a career that doesn’t end up paying good. I mean come on, with an Anthopological studies degree (which one friend had) or an English Literature degree (which another friend had) or a Psychology degree (which the other friend had) you’re just asking to have a harder time in your career due to the inherent impracticality of these degrees. (Sure there is a demand somewhere for these degrees, but I would imagine that it’s limited and already oversaturated with all the other graduates out there with these degrees). These are prime examples of how some very smart people (most of them Honors grads too) ended up picking not-so-very smart paths in their life, and will more than likely end up falling into the 90% ratio of college grads being in a completely different career 10 years after they’ve graduated.

But of course there are also college smart people who picked very practical degrees such as in business, or in accounting, or in medicine, or in engineering and so forth. (I recently graduated with a major in Finance). That would be the best (IMO) position for one person to be in, to be both smart and intelligent enough to have a college degree that puts the person in great demand.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, someone came up with the idea that everyone should get a college degree, even though only 20% or so of the jobs in our economy require a college education. As a result, a lot of employers use a college degree as a general sign of intelligence and dedication, even when hiring for jobs where a good high school education is sufficient. There are a lot of people with degrees who didn’t really learn anything in college and aren’t very intelligent, especially if they’re under about 40 years old.

There are also plenty of good jobs in skilled manual labor (e.g. plumbing, carpentry, etc.) that pay extremely well right now, because almost everyone with the level of intelligence and personal responsibility to do them has been convinced they have to go to college to be a success.

If you’re talking about older people, there are a lot of them who didn’t go to college who are very intelligent. Financial aid packages weren’t as good in the past, and, since it was easier to get a good job with just good grades in high school, a lot of people who were from poorer backgrounds went straight into the workplace. This still happens sometimes, but not as much as it used to.

You said it yourself. Some people. That is not all people.

It depends on the careers and stuff. Quite a few college students do make a terrible assumption that a college degree guarantees a good job.

These days a lot people get the shaft in the work force. No matter if you go to college or not or a business or engineer major, you have to take upon yourself market yourself to secure a job and be able to get a back up if it does not work out.

Back in the day you could work for the same company and make a good living and get a good retirement. Now that is your hands.

I believe you’re comparing book smarts to street smarts. These are different types of smarts and each has their own advantages. You can’t really compare them, as it may just be comparing apples to oranges. However, usually those with book smarts are the ones that get the job because they show a commitment and responsibility of getting an education…but of course you gotta major in something practical…not like Design…or friggin History.

cool ur goin 2 nova, dats n fort lauderddale rite…i wanna go dere or FU 4 dentistry…but umm yea u sound like the type of guy, girls like but u seem like ur making ur self too perfect the way u wrote it kinda

It varies….Everyone is smart in their own way

i think you are being a smart-***.