@Charles
What do “good” and “good paying”, and “better” mean?
“good”: It means something different to everyone. But I guess, generally speaking, a job you can enjoy; or one that at least compensates you adequately to counter a lack of enjoyment. Also “good” jobs, by my definition, usually entail something that provides you insurance and other benefits (401k/profit sharing/sufficient amount of paid holidays/sick time). A job you can be proud of.
“good paying”: Sufficient pay to live a life of reasonable comfort and interest by one’s own standards. In short, if you can afford all your expenses most of the time, and still have some left over. If you can afford to live on your own, without roommates (not that you must, but that you CAN). If you could afford a family. In California, I would say about $50,000 a year or higher is a reasonable marker for these things (give or take depending on lifestyle).
“better”: If you were a hiring manager for a job that stated “BA/BS required” on the job listing, and you only received 2 resumes, one of which outlined 5 years of applicable experience but no degree, and the other of which outlined education culminating in a degree, but no work experience, which would you see more fit for the job?
(...and I say 5 years instead of 4 because most people don’t finish college in 4 years; and those who don’t go to college are also usually the same people who are in the job market around 10th grade (6 years prior to when their fellow students who focused solely on school would graduate college, if they did it in 4 years.)