Dear Kate & Dale: I graduated from high school early and am ready to go to college. I don’t like the atmosphere of a traditional state university, so I’m considering going to a career college. How seriously do employers take those degrees? Are they considered legitimate? – Cristyn

Dale: My initial reaction was that colleges are “brand names” that reflect on their owners’ reputations, or at least our view of their self-image. I would have said that there are a handful of “Lexus schools,” then the “GM schools,” with various levels of quality, like state universities, and finally the career colleges, which would be the “Kia schools.”

Kate: I assume there’s a reason you said all that in the past tense.

Dale: Now I’m not as certain. I double-checked with one of the most impressive HR people I know, who told me that while the Harvards and Stanfords have special weight, most colleges are “not differentiated.” He did point out, however, “It makes some difference in getting your first jobs, but after that, a degree is just another box to check off.” He also explained that if your degree is from a state school, like the University of Utah, or from a private school meant for working people, like the University of Phoenix, your work experience will be of far more consequence than your school. He also wanted me to pass on another consideration: Some colleges, like Notre Dame and the University of Southern California, have great alumni associations that can help you all the days of your career.

Kate: So, in terms of getting jobs, it matters for the first job and may matter later. But there’s something else to consider. I sought out the opinions of Richard Bayer, The Five O’Clock Club’s chief operations officer, who’s a former college professor with strong convictions about education. He gave me an article of his that included this passage, arguing that a highly specialized education “creates highly skilled but not truly civilized people; it does not contribute as it ought to their personal development or to the common good. Today’s economy requires workers with a broad view, who are flexible, who see the connections between different areas of knowledge, and persons who understand their humanity and that of others.” He’s right. Whatever technical field you study now will be out-of-date in 10 to 20 years. Those courses are transient, while the basic liberal-arts education is permanent. It makes you into a different kind of person, and, eventually, a better professional.

¢ Dear Kate & Dale: I wanted to let you know what happened with my severance package.

I got an eight-month package, including keeping me on the health plan for the whole time. They let me pick my own day to leave, and let me write the message that went out to the company. But best of all: I got another job a week later, one that will mean a whole new lease on life, using my capabilities in a new way. I am jazzed about the prospects. – Elton

Dale: This letter is a follow-up to one we published recently from Elton, a 60-year-old who wanted advice in negotiating severance. Departing executives at his company had gotten a six-month package, but he wanted to know if it was “reasonable” to ask for more. We suggested that a case could be made for nine months, plus benefits.

Kate: We love to share stories that include being “jazzed.” A good severance package helped, I’m sure. You weren’t tempted to feel rushed or discouraged, and went to interviews fresh from the success of your negotiation. We wish that all employers would help their departing employees, and that all departing employees would help employers to see the wisdom of being generous.