Do you ever feel self conscious about the undergrad school you went to? I used to be pretty proud of it, since it’s an ok school (think UCLA, Berkeley, UMich) and was great for my program, but running in bigger circles (especially the pre-MBA crowd) and seeing how much value people place on brand name has me feeling weird.

likefunny
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It’s what you do with the degree that matters. People flex the degree when they can’t flex their job and know it’s enough

likesmart

Those are all great schools, not okay schools. Let's have some perspective. We're looking at the top 0.5% vs. the top 1% or something. Why not take a step back to appreciate where you are?

The school you went to for undergrad is indicative who you were and what resources you had access to as a 15-17 year old. That's hardly indicative of someone's merit.

likesmart

This is a great perspective to have in life, especially the second paragraph.

likeuplifting
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Think I have you beat. Went to Arizona State. Have definitely seen peoples eyes glaze over when I’ve mentioned that especially with no MBA. I just laugh because I drank and partied my way through school and yet graduated with two degrees with honors and now have the same job making the same money as them. And most of them had to go get their MBA and spend several $100k (have to account for opportunity cost which they always seem to forget) at top MBA programs to get where I am and I am actually younger at my rank than most of them. Just laugh it off that you were more capable them without the extra brand name help.

likesmart

Forks up!

uplifting

Wait, you are embarrassed about going to schools like UCLA and UC Berkley? 🤯

likefunny

Bruh Berkeley has a global reputation on par with Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, etc. what are you talking about

likefunny

I could have given an arm and leg to get into Berkley Comp Science program

likeuplifting

When I encounter people like that, it more makes me glad that I’m not that insufferable.

likefunny

You're self conscious about Berkeley and not about ACN??? (No disrespect intended to ACN, they are great)

likefunny

Oh there are layers don’t worry

funnylikesmart

Dawg no one cares. I went to state school and am very proud of the fact that I kicked it for 4 years + had a normal childhood and ended up at the same place as people who spent their whole lives optimizing for success.

likehelpful

Thanks for that! This is a really uplifting way of changing perspectives.

Working-class kid, state educated and the first person in my family ever to graduate from university here.

Somehow landed this gig, still, made SM in the minimum amount of time possible, still terrified they'll all find out I don't actually belong among them!

But the way you tell the story, it's actually vaguely inspirational.

likeuplifting

Lol I went to the university of houston and now I manage kids from UPenn Harvard etc. just cause you started from behind doesn’t mean you will stay there. I also have a college classmate who was a college drop out who’s now a crypto millionaire.

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Don’t be. So long as we get paid we’re all the same

like

Hey, not a dig on other schools but think about it this way - you didn’t go to one of those “elite brand” schools and still ended up in the same place with these people that did, that’s something to be proud of!!

like

Lol Berkeley and UCLA are great schools what are u even saying. The fact that you’re self conscious about this says a lot about how you might judge other ppl too

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Literally don't understand the "brand" schools stuff.. went to a local state school (no where near reputation of Berkeley or ucla) but got full ride which was way more important than what school I went to.. got accepted into Harvard for masters but chose Georgia tech for money reasons (tech was still a great school especially for cs) and still ended up at BCG on consultant track... don't regret my choices at all.. 0 student debt.. I feel I keep up with my peers or exceed them even though they went to ivys... 🤷‍♂️

like

My take is undergrad is essentially irrelevant (unless applying for top mba) after a few years of experience at a somewhat notable firm. No need to be self conscious

like

But the trick is, a top undergrad is correlated with getting into a notable firm. Agree that if you can get in, the undergrad matters less and less each year.

Hahahahhahahaha, my degree is from an online school and I still made SM at D.

likefunny

Dude I went to an average state school, that’s all my family could afford. I think it’s more about what you do with the opportunities you are given and the ones you create for yourself. Degrees are door openers, once you’re in, you’re on an equal footing with everyone else. From here on it’s your hard work and skill sets that will give you recognition.

Not to mention, sounds like you went to one of the better schools. Definitely nothing to feel weird about.

like

My boss’ boss - University of Alabama
My boss - Ohio State
Me - UCLA
My direct report - Chicago Booth

Moral of the story - Lesser the reputation, better the title in B4 😅

likefunny

McK 3 - That is so true. In fact Alabama guys mostly promote mediocre Alabama alumni because they all hangout and do tailgate parties every season.

like

I know amazing leaders who never went to college and I know terrible leaders who went to some of the best colleges.

In the words of the famous poet T. Durden-
“You're not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You're not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You're not your f***ing khakis. You're the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world”

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:)

Comparison is the thief of joy

like

Opposite for me. I was in a fraternity at a SEC school. I laugh at kids who gloat about their Ivy League education because I’m confident I had a lot more fun with football tailgates, going out to bars, and date functions. Wouldn’t trade those experiences for Ivy League - especially when we’re doing the same job at ACN

like

Your school only comes up for the first few years with your peers…then it’s about what you’ve done

like

I disagree, someone brings up my school every other week it seems… like in conversation.

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