Switch accounts from where? What are you even talking about?

Even better. I don’t think community colleges get enough positive credit. But I love them.

Yeah, that’s awesome for you! What school did you go to?

Yep, I was wondering if you were in tech. That seems to be a fairly common story in tech. Tho I heard that’s changing for the upcoming generation of hiring.

I personally think it should just be based on experience. But I’ve talked my son into going to a low-cost school, and to do it without borrowing money, because I think the job market is getting more difficult these days.

I still don’t agree with going to college if it means a shit-ton of debt though. Community colleges and low-cost pay as you go school is the way to do it.

I agree. But that’s how the job market it going. I was pissed when it happened. But now I see it at as a good thing, cuz it spurred me to finish my degree. And I did it debt-free, so I’m happy about it. But man, at the time, I wanted to lose my mind. lol

Really? Can I ask why you think that?

To be honest, I thought that way my whole life, and for a long time, it worked. My career was built on the strength of my resume, interview skills, and experience—until about five years ago when I hit a huge roadblock. Suddenly, HR departments wouldn’t even consider me because I didn’t have a degree.

The real eye-opener came when a former boss—someone I had worked with before—wanted to hire me at her new company. She interviewed me, told me I was her top choice, and said she was excited to work with me again. The next day, she called to confirm her team had chosen me. But the day after that, she called back with bad news: HR and upper management refused to approve the hire because I didn’t have a degree—even though I had 15+ years of experience in the exact role.

So while I used to agree with the idea that a degree wasn’t necessary, I can’t say that anymore. My advice now? Go to college—but do it as inexpensively as possible. I went back and got my degree (from Pierpont Community and Technical College), and eventually, I was able to land a job with that same boss who couldn’t hire me before.

Maybe things are different in fields like programming, but in many industries, I’m seeing firsthand that a degree is becoming a non-negotiable requirement—regardless of skill or experience. I don’t agree with it, but that’s the reality.

I recently retired, and now I am going for my bachelor’s degree. For no other reason that I just want it. :)

You guys are awesome and do such great work! Thank you!

Eww!

Meh, not a fan of this vid. I wanted to like it though!

Interesting note. Thanks for this! :)

I go back and forth with my thoughts on this. I mean, if someone actually started the community, I sorta think it’s theirs. But if you just have a bunch of mods, and the original founder is gone, then I think it’s the community.

I have very small communities that I mod. And as of now, I am in charge of what goes there and what doesn’t because no one posts. If it grew, I’d still like to think I was in charge (under instance admin of course)

I mean are the posters of an instance in charge of the instance or is the admin who set it up?

Thanks!

These are some great points. To be honest, before reading this conversation I was in the group of: “it’s their community, they can do what they want with it. Start your own if you disagree”

After reading about all the 196 stuff, I’m definitely rethinking my views. Thank you!

This is a really good way to look at it.

haha, awesome. Thanks!

Thank you!

This is so sweet! Congrats.

My girl is moving in with me this summer. She actually moved to a different state right after we started dating (job-related). But she’s worked hard to transfer back here, and it worked.

Hope things are great with you two!

Agreed!

I’m new to the conversation, but may I ask what the number “196” means in this context? Does it signify something important to the transgender community?