Degrees, Professional Certification and Social Recognition

Post Reply New Topic

I am right now working towards becoming a Certified Bookkeeper. I am in the accounting field.

My perspective is that if I become professionally certified in my field and able to fit in with the professional community, you will be able to put some of your autism childhood difficulties behind you.

I would feel rightfully entitled to take my place in terms of social standing, networking, and social acceptance along with everybody else. That I have finally achieved where my peers are. I also used to feel that way when I was working towards my bachelor degree. Yes in the future I also hope to get my CPA.

Do you think that this is an illusion? Does anyone else share this perspective?

I thought that if I got my teaching degree, then people would just get it and accept me as a professional. It didn't happen that way. I haven't been able to get a teaching job. I still don't feel respected and I feel even more like the weird kid in the mix.

I dunno. Some people actually do get a little more respect, I think. But I guess I just thought that as soon as I graduated my whole life would suddenly fall into place and it just wasn't like that. Stupid, I guess.

I hope it works out for you. It just wasn't too great for me. There's lots of successes out there. I wish I'd stayed working third shift in the bank's computer lab. I was very happy there.

I have found it to be an illusion.
Today I found out school classmates who weren't necessarily bright have achieved a lot more than I, in many areas of life, with degrees I was convinced not to study because "I wouldn't find a job afterwards if I did".

So far my degree and education overall have turned me into a mobbing lightning rod and nothing else.
Today, during the entire afternoon, I was convinced I would kill myself as soon as I got home. Why? Because I noticed that yet again I'm failing to sleep; that if I endure one more day at work my heart will explode. Most of the time my breathing is awry and my hands quiver a little when doing things; just like in my pasts jobs when harassment reached it's peak.

During the long time I was unemployed after graduating I was scared as hell I would be bullied yet again as an adult and that that would cripple my progress forcing me into a dead end job just to make ends meet - and that's exactly what is happening.

Those that were once my school or uni peers by now have about 5 years of experience at something actually worthwhile and there's no way I'll ever catch up with them. I'm ashamed to even be spotted by them walking around downtown. If there's one reason I'm a failure to begin with is that I share my workplace with people that think an uni degree or a second language is a good reason to constantly mock me, threaten me, slander me, etc. . .

Being bullied as an adult keeps me the rest of the day and night remembering how similar it is to when I was in middle school. So you get ostracized and sniggered at and then you also get flooded by memories even worse.
That. . . and the constant fear of being blamed for other's violence and fired anytime - with the consequent destruction of whatever remains of my reputation, my career and my health. . . which is no less than what happens when you get mobbed (I didn't make it up).

I feel I should just quit, enjoy some holidays and then die; not sure what's stopping me.
Honestly, I was better off unemployed.

So no. . . the whole perspective sounds like a grim joke.

I'm going to grad school right now, but not because of job security or lack of options, but because I changed fields (slightly) after I graduated . . .

I think it's a question of finding the right field. I'm getting my grad degree in music therapy. Trust me when I say these people are nutty and that I fit right in. I think I will gain respect in this field.

I didn't do anything with my first degree except secretarial work... for about 15 years.

Then I went back to school, got a professional degree, and now I'm pretty happy at work.

While it's false to say "it's never too late", 5 years on is not too late.

And I think it's important for aspies to be educated in something most other people aren't, something that's valuable in the workplace. If you can do something, or if you know something, that people need, they are much more likely to overlook your social deficits.

When all is said and done, it seems like NO such certificate(degree, certification, or social reputation) really means that much. It doesn't mean you really know anything, and certainly doesn't guarantee a job.

Besides, the whole concept is interesting. A person could get a blood clot, or have cheated, and look like a genius one day, and an idiot the next! ALSO, a person could have social problems, or the teachers could be idiots, and they could seem dumber than they are.

SOME people realize this, to a degree, and try to pick people from better colleges with more recent experience(even if only from a college).

From a different perspective, I did a computer degree.
I am now working for a known computer game company doing their in-game customer support, which hardly needs a degree.

However, I did really enjoy college. It was the first time in my life I ever fit in anywhere. I found a Club/Society that was all about my own little obsession, and no one there even noticed there was anything different about me. They were all obsessed. It was wonderful. I met my husband there, and we are now happily expecting our first baby after getting married last June.
Going to college was the best thing I ever did.

And aside from that I enjoyed the mental challenge. I really miss learning, and I hope to go back sometime to study something with more science and less computers.

College is worth going to whether you use the degree/qualification or not, and in most cases a qualification looks great on a CV even if it is for a different field, as it shows dedication and perseverance.

Education is important to your specific interest, your specific and chosen field.

I don't think it's going to increase your ability to socialize; if you feel it'll bring confidence (i.e., make you feel better), I guess it's worth a try, but I've yet to see any education other than social therapy at an ASD specialist that'll help you socialize (they do it at Attwood's). With all knowledge, it can help build some of the bridge for you to interact with people, a subject that you know for example, and if you can use said knowledge to perhaps form relationships with people who're interested in the same thing, cool.

Speaking subjectively here: I'm sure you'll receive recognition for your accomplishments, the question is, doesn't it kinda defeat the reason for education to gain social status from such? The pursuit of knowledge for example. To me, it's kinda like people liking you for what you have, rather than what you are.

no.

Sorry... no..

We don't fit in and no piece of paper will make it happen.

Get certified if you want a better opportunity for a job. Don't get certified to try and fit in.

Associate of Arts, English-1985
Bachelor of Arts, English-1987
Master of Arts, English-1991
Associate of Occupational Science, Legal Office Systems, 2004

I am currently working at my local public library. I would like to take library courses on the Internet, with a view to getting a full time job.