According to social theorist randall collins, getting a "piece of paper" is more important to many than actually having the knowledge to do a job. he calls the undue priority placed on formal education:

The answer is credentialism. These are any of a number of connected development involving amplified demands for formal educational experience, and the deflation of these qualifications. In Western society, there have been rising requirements for formal qualifications or certification for jobs, a procedure called credentialism that is not easily differentiated from professionalization.