Monday, September 16, 2013

Class and Education.

I worked at a stock company as an intern during the last winter vacation. It was the first experience of my social life. Mostly, my role was to assist other workers. I helped not only the simple work like receiving customers, issuing a card, scanning, copying, but also the computer works like making powerpoint or excel.

I have been treated well in there. I was the youngest so all workers kindly taught me how to behave well and work efficiently. They provided meals, a heater, and other useful things for me. Also, sometimes they took me to their office dinners and gave me good advises for my future. In a familial atmosphere, I could adapt relatively fast to new environment.

My education level mattered for this work. So before I get this work, I was interviewed at my school because my university made a contract with the company to offer internships. Interviewers wanted to know about my level of computer skills, related experiences, and some certificates. Actually, in my thinking, it doesn't really necessary, because the work I did is very simple and anyone can do easily, except using computers. However, sometimes my education level was very helpful for working.

I agree that the level of education a worker has should determine the respect and pay that worker receives to some extent. The work that requires a high level of education is not for anyone because it is based on certain knowledge and specialized skills from the educational courses.  Also, I think the level of education means their effort. People who have a high level of education also try to invest their time, money, and effort for getting it. Therefore, it is natural that we compensate for their effort by expressing respect or much more paying. Of course, the level of education is not the only one determinant of the respect and paying that worker receives. However, the level of education is also important.

3 comments:

  1. Nahye,
    I enjoyed reading your post. I agree that education is important, but do you think that every job requires education? Some people are very good at their jobs but get no respect for doing them. What do you think?
    Eileen

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    Replies
    1. Some jobs don't require education, like Barbara Ehrenreich in the book. I just wanted to say the level of education can be one of the indicators of showing people's ability. So they can get respect and paying much more than others.
      And, if some people do their work much better than the people who has highter level of educaton, they should be treated equally as well.
      But in case of works that don't need education, I think the reason why they don't get respect,even if they are good at their work, is that their work can be easily replaced by someone else. In contrast, works that require education can't be replaced well. So their ability is regarded as more respectable. But I know that all workers are respectable.

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  2. Hello Nahye,
    It was a pleasure reading your post. I also agree that education is important for ones pay scale, but respect should also be received and given as well. You wrote "Therefore, it is natural that we compensate for their effort by expressing respect or much more paying." what if that person with that education is a "jerk" or has respect only for others in his/her class, do you think they deserve your respect?

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