should you go to college?
- Thread starter cyberwaste
- Start date
You get out what you put in. The end result of a career only happens if you put in the effort to make contacts and gain references. Its not all grades and GPA nonsense like it so often seems. Don't forget its also the experience that you get no where else, and don't live with regrets down the road.
I have a bachelors degree in a field that i absolutely love. But am not, and may never use my degree for employment. I have gone in different directions, but do not regret it in the slightest. I have a solid education in something i like, and made tons of new friendships. The only person that can make the decision is you, there seems to be a big battle between the educated and uneducated. The educated say its the only way, while the uneducated tend to criticize it and tell you not to.
I have a bachelors degree in a field that i absolutely love. But am not, and may never use my degree for employment. I have gone in different directions, but do not regret it in the slightest. I have a solid education in something i like, and made tons of new friendships. The only person that can make the decision is you, there seems to be a big battle between the educated and uneducated. The educated say its the only way, while the uneducated tend to criticize it and tell you not to.
I have three degrees.
The first is an Associate's Degree in Forestry. I have never worked in the field, because upon graduation I got a job as a plumber that made considerably more money than a forestry job would have. Still, I don't regret the time and money I spent to get the degree.
My second degree is a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish Literature. It cost me a lot of money and got me a job as an ESL assistant making $12/hour... Not a great return, however it was a necessary step towards my final goal.
My third degree is a Master's Degree in Education. To teach public school in Oregon you need a Master's Degree (private school teachers don't have any education requirements), so I really did need this degree to get me where I am today. Teaching pays very little considering the level of education required, but the benefits are nice and it can be a very rewarding career.
In my experience it is rare to hear college-educated people say they regret the decision to continue their education, even when they don't work in the field they studied.
The first is an Associate's Degree in Forestry. I have never worked in the field, because upon graduation I got a job as a plumber that made considerably more money than a forestry job would have. Still, I don't regret the time and money I spent to get the degree.
My second degree is a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish Literature. It cost me a lot of money and got me a job as an ESL assistant making $12/hour... Not a great return, however it was a necessary step towards my final goal.
My third degree is a Master's Degree in Education. To teach public school in Oregon you need a Master's Degree (private school teachers don't have any education requirements), so I really did need this degree to get me where I am today. Teaching pays very little considering the level of education required, but the benefits are nice and it can be a very rewarding career.
In my experience it is rare to hear college-educated people say they regret the decision to continue their education, even when they don't work in the field they studied.
Depends on the individual, I have a bs in accounting and worked in the field for 8 years before I accepted I hate being in an office and became an electrician.
the problem is more that people go to college and get a degree in because they think they want to do it, or it pays well. While in high school student should job shadow and volunteer or intern in the career they are interested in. We require it at my school in order to graduate. Often kids are attract by money or what they are told, they go to school switch majors, stay a few extra years, that it the problem.
My high school also cover tuition for student to take core classes for dual credit at local community college to get a jump start. We have 3 students getting associates this year. Our grad class is only 41 students. We have a large number who will have save by taking their credits with them. Our state schools have also worked out an agreement so that most of the credits, if not all will transfer.
In the middle of undergrad (1994-1995), I decided to sit out a year and work full-time. I got a job at a small factory in my town, earned $6/hr, and got about 10-15 hours of OT/week. Of my group of 5 best friends, 3 worked there with me. We loaded and unloaded 4x4 transfer cases and Northstar engine blocks in baskets for a Locktite impregnation machine. It was probably my favorite job of all time. I was 20 years old, made decent money for the time, got to work with my friends all day, and rode motorcycles all night. Great times.
After a year, I decided it was time to get serious about school. I finished undergrad (BS in Economics and Marketing) and for the past 12 years I have worked for an integrated health care system. In 2004-2005, I earned a Masters in Business Administration. I have been a Financial Analyst, Finance Manager, Budget Manager, and Controller. Even after controlling for inflation, I make multiple times more money now.....but I hate it. Corporate life is horrible.
Money isn't everything, but it definitely matters. A college degree doesn't mean you will have a great salary, but it helps. It doesn't mean you will have a job, but it helps. Take a look at the unemployment rate in relation to education level. You all know someone that makes a great living w/o an education, but let's be honest.....most do not.
After a year, I decided it was time to get serious about school. I finished undergrad (BS in Economics and Marketing) and for the past 12 years I have worked for an integrated health care system. In 2004-2005, I earned a Masters in Business Administration. I have been a Financial Analyst, Finance Manager, Budget Manager, and Controller. Even after controlling for inflation, I make multiple times more money now.....but I hate it. Corporate life is horrible.
Money isn't everything, but it definitely matters. A college degree doesn't mean you will have a great salary, but it helps. It doesn't mean you will have a job, but it helps. Take a look at the unemployment rate in relation to education level. You all know someone that makes a great living w/o an education, but let's be honest.....most do not.
I have asked this before too.
I know the facts in front of me, it doesn't seem to matter that I am college educated.
Nobody cares and nobody is willing to pay me more for being college educated.
The demand in the economy here is almost always for non skilled lower paid work.
I applied for work in my field in the past and nobody was interested. I'm not even qualified it's been so long now. So even if the demand came back, I now couldn't get in anymore.
Going back to my pursuit of a P.h.d would only seem to do one thing, personal satisfaction. Then I could go back to some minimual wage job if I am lucky enough to get one of those in the first place.
I know the facts in front of me, it doesn't seem to matter that I am college educated.
Nobody cares and nobody is willing to pay me more for being college educated.
The demand in the economy here is almost always for non skilled lower paid work.
I applied for work in my field in the past and nobody was interested. I'm not even qualified it's been so long now. So even if the demand came back, I now couldn't get in anymore.
Going back to my pursuit of a P.h.d would only seem to do one thing, personal satisfaction. Then I could go back to some minimual wage job if I am lucky enough to get one of those in the first place.
