es of low-status, low-paying jobs, without good benefits, during most of my years while attending college. I feel personally satisfied when I am helping others. I also realize that benefits and job security are very important. Therefore, I know that the B.A. degree is at least a minimum requirement if I want to achieve some security and job mobility. As much as I enjoy helping others, I know that intrinsic job rewards do not put food on the table. In the following interviews, I was always conscious that education was the most important factor determining one's ability to get ahead in any occupation--even outweighing the very real presence of cultural discrimination.
One of my interviewees was a Mexican American male, a supervisor of an airport security company at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. A close friend of mine made arrangements for the interview. This interview brought back some memories for me because I worked for an airport security company at the International Airport several years ago. My close friend is a supervisor for
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