Has anyone working in a specialized field noticed the trend of hiring less educated and less qualified staff for what can only be IMO to pay them less?
I went on an interview today where they advertised they were hiring an MSW (Master's level Social Worker) and it was a group interview and only 2 of us had our MSW. Some were still working on it, some had only a degree in Psychology, some had a degree in Education. Also there were 10 of us at the interview and about half were not even LIVING in NYC at this time.
I walked out of there feeling very discouraged. I feel like I wasted close to 80K getting a degree for a job that people with a BA or less are being given, or people who are not even a Social Worker are being given. I am feeling like the more education and experience I get, the less opportunities are available

I am not feeling very happy right now. I know it's not just me either because many of my colleagues are feeling the same way

Also, it is really upsetting that I have been living in NYC since 1999 and I am extremely knowledgeable of the areas and services available and I have to compete with people who are not even living here and may or may not have the same level of knowledge in this area
I have no idea whether or not I got the job.....................
Does this happen in other fields? How do you keep yourself from getting discouraged?