Reflections

Reflections

Well, this month has certainly been eventful. My last ramblings came as a result of the impending examinations – so it seemed only appropriate that my next post should come after discovering the results. And naturally – having not done as well as I had anticipated feeling slightly dejected and as if the last year of my life was for nothing; I got to thinking about the true “value” of a qualification.

Society as a whole, judges an individual’s worth on how many slips of paper, or splodges of ink they have to their name. And once again as this has become the accepted “norm” no one thinks to question it any further. So, when applying for jobs – that you may be perfect for, you are rejected simply because another candidate knew how to answer that particular exam question on one exam paper that little bit better than you – or could remember how to spell that key word correctly.

What employers fail to realize is that in fact, just because an individual has an A in that exam – it does not mean that their overall knowledge of the subject is more rounded, or in depth than someone who only got a C in the exam because the questions didn’t fall in their favour – or because they were nervous in the examination environment. For all they know, their favoured choice could have studied that subject for two years of their life, and then forgotten about it altogether. They are then thrown in at the deep end – whereas the lower graded candidate could have immersed themselves in that field, and have a comprehensive knowledge. But still, they would not be chosen; because statistics take precedence over people.

I personally find it astonishing how so many fantastic minds are regularly passed over for jobs that they would be perfectly suited for simply because of a piece of paper – that is essentially worthless. It seems that we as a society have forgotten how to simply take a leap of faith. The world as we know it has become a place of carefully calculated risk – that is all about the physical and financial repercussions – rather than the lives that will be affected (both for better and for worse).  When was the last time you gave someone the benefit of the doubt – and not because you were in a position that meant you HAD to - but because you WANTED too?

If you are anything like me, then you will be ashamed to admit that you had to think long and hard to answer that question – if you could answer it at all. It seems increasingly obvious that many of society (myself included at times) act in a specific way at a certain time simply to fit in, or to maximise the chances of getting ahead. There was once a time where such tactical decisions would have been frowned upon – where they would have labelled you as fake or untruthful. However, in today’s times, you are expected to behave in this way – in fact, if you should choose not to conform, the consequences can be devastating. Employers need to realise that it is not the number of qualifications that you have to your name, you can have all the qualifications under the sun – but if there is no interest in the field, or a dedicated work ethic present then they are not going to last long. And then of course there is “experience” – that old chestnut.

It astounds me that even once you have all the qualifications that are necessary – and all the other traits to be the perfect candidate there is always something missing.  Why as a society has it become accepted for us to judge a persons’ worth on a piece of paper. How has it become so common-place for peoples motives to be purely selfish (again, more often than I would like, if I scratch below the surface my actions have a motive of personal gain). 

More Soon,
Amber 
xxx