Living in the Real World

Alyssa Dare in Elkridge, Maryland, writes:

I have a friend with a Ph.D. and a day job, who wanted to earn some extra money in the evenings. He applied for a job at one of the major chain stores. Part of the job application was a multiple-choice test about situations and problems that might arise while working at the store, and what the employee would do to resolve them. My friend failed the test! Why might a person with a Ph.D. fail a test about working at a store, when people with far less education often pass it?

Marilyn responds:

Because education doesn’t prepare you for the real world! To know how to deal with people and handle everyday situations in a reasonable, practical manner requires experience and a bit of street smarts.