For all the talk of diversity in the USA, there is very little when it comes to educational options.
I hire and fire people for my job and I prefer to hire kids as interns then train them up. I will also hire a college level first or second chair musician for any position. And older workers are great as well if they know their stuff as they are 100% dependable and bring a ton of experience. I also like quirky people as long as they get stuff done.
Most of the HR departments in the US prefer to hire a specific type of person with a degree and x years of experience who look clean cut and say the right things, etc. These people for the most part lack imagination and grit and are boring to be around.
A great number of people do not meet the "sweet spot" for HR and they are a gold mine for those who take the time to look for them.
