[whatshisface]

Why not hire a customer representative whose main qualification would be diligent attention to detail? You shouldn't have specialized engineers spend their time dealing with issues that are not only one-off, but that also don't require any advanced qualifications. There aren't eight hours a day of check shredding to do, but there is a level of capability between "can only shred checks for eight hours a day," and "spent ten years getting a PhD in computer science."

[JumpCrisscross]

> * a customer representative whose main qualification would be diligent attention to detail?*

Flexible problem solvers with attention to detail and solid communications skills are about as expensive as engineers.

[whatshisface]

What about those rumored thousands who are graduating with "unemployable degrees?" If the market for capable individuals was the same as the market for specialized knowledge then STEM would not be so much more economically attractive to students.

[JumpCrisscross]

> If the market for capable individuals was the same as the market for specialized knowledge then STEM would not be so much more economically attractive to students

Most people, including those with advanced qualifications in STEM, could not be described as flexible problem solvers with attention to detail and solid communication skills. This confluence, essential for quality customer support, is exceedingly rare, and tends to describe those whom our societies remunerate most richly.

[jjeaff]

I don't know many customer service reps making 150-250k a year.

[JumpCrisscross]

They aren’t called customer service reps. They’re account executives, investment bankers and CEOs. That skillset—socially-aware problem solvers—is ridiculously rare.