Over the past month or so, several media outlets have made a big deal about the fact that
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's education does not include a bachelor's degree, and have speculated on how this could affect a potential 2016 presidential run.
Some have taken to the media to defend him, claiming that "many college degrees don't signify much besides a limited ability to show up on time," or that having a degree does not "necessarily even produce a leg up economically."
Vox stated that some of Walker's characteristics, like his academic past, may help him in a presidential campaign because he is seen "as a Midwestern-everyman."
As of 2009, almost 28 percent of all Americans 25 and older had a bachelor's degree or higher, while almost 65 percent did not have a formal college degree of any kind. It appears that Walker does typify the average American, something that could be useful if he decides to run in 2016.
However, Americans are actually more likely to purse an advanced education today than they were in the past. Fifteen years ago, less than 25 percent of people 25 and older had a bachelor's degree or higher. This is not a significantly low number compared to 2009's, but a lower number nonetheless.
The average American that Walker exemplifies may be slowly disappearing.
But there is another potential positive to all of this for Walker. He could return to school to finish out his degree and become an inspirational figure to those who have struggled to obtain theirs. Of course, some might see this as conceding to his critics, putting him in a difficult position.
The point of mentioning all of this is not to say that those without college degrees cannot be successful. Clearly Walker's experience has been the exact opposite.
Rather, this information simply highlights why some Americans might be surprised when they come across his education experience coupled with the success he has obtained.
Education level is usually a significant characteristic of anyone looking to find a job; so even if it may not be a must-have for the position, it should be expected that some will pay closer attention to this aspect of a person if he or she is running for the highest political office in the land.
Of course, such concern doesn't appear to be having too much of an effect since Walker is in first place in Iowa, according to a recent Republican poll. Even though his education may play a large role in the election, it certainly does not appear to be an overriding factor.