Why college? Why Bother?

[jacobschndr]

OK, so I've been working at blue collar jobs since I was 16. And the job I'm at now, come to find out, pays just as much as some jobs that require degrees to get into. With so many jobs out there that need little or if anything a GED to get,the question is why bother with post-high school education when theres jobs out there that pay just as well?

Look I don't mean to be skeptical or whatever to those looking to pursue college for a better education. But these days, unless the career you're going into pays well its not going to be worth it in the long run. Take for instance a career in medicine. Everyone I met who is in school for medicine is in it for the money, not because they like it. They know if they get into a field that they like it will never be able to pay the bills. Same as for me, I went to college got an associates in construction technology only to find out places like the tire making plant and the dog food plant make more annually than any job I could get with my education and the people who work there don't even have a high school diploma! I realize I just went through two years of school (no make it 14 counting all school), thousands of dollars in debt to school loans, and the only real chance I had to learn what I wanted to learn in college, but no I was stupid and wasted the chance and money, time on a bad career choice.

Now I work in a warehouse finding out this job pays me more than anyone else in my family and most of them have Bacholar degrees!

Bottom line: Go to school for what you want to learn, not What pays more. Because your probably going to work at a job like mine to pay the bills and use your education for a hobby.

P.S. sorry for making it kinda long, I ramble on sometimes. Comments?

 

[wolfy098]

ummmmmm......

"you could have convinced an Urgal to become a farmer tonight."?

 

[jacobschndr]

ummmmmm......

"you could have convinced an Urgal to become a farmer tonight."?

success!

 

[wolfy098]

ummmmmm......

"you could have convinced an Urgal to become a farmer tonight."?

success!

exactly

Now cookies to those get the reference.....

 

[Danny Ocean]

the question is why bother with post-high school education when theres jobs out there that pay just as well?

The job your in now, is it the top of your career path?
How does it compare to the tops of the career paths that require degrees?

Bottom line: Go to school for what you want to learn, not What pays more.

This is correct. Besides, if you're really keen on what you're being taught you'll do it that much better. You'll be better at your job if you're lucky enough to get one that utilizes the subject you love, and you'll do better and be happier in the long run.

But hey, I'm just 16, what do I know?

 

[Fbuh]

Well, if you are happy and content in what you are doing, and feel that you are successful enough to support yourself throughout your entire life (not to mention any future family), then go ahead and keep doing what you are doing. However, I need to go to college in order to get into the field I want to do, so it all boils down to whether you really want to or not.

 

[CompanionCube]

ummmmmm......

"you could have convinced an Urgal to become a farmer tonight."?

success!

exactly

Now cookies to those get the reference.....

Eragon

/thread

 

[Disaster Button]

College is kind of meh. Mine is. I honestly could not care less.

But then I am about to be kicked of my college so let that little fun fact influence my comment however you like.

 

[similar.squirrel]

There's the chance you'll get lucky and acquire the qualifications to work in an area that interests you.
Unless you're doing Arts. >,>

 

[wolfy098]

ummmmmm......

"you could have convinced an Urgal to become a farmer tonight."?

success!

exactly

Now cookies to those get the reference.....

Eragon

/thread

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

I'm already planning on getting degrees in political science and philosophy. those don't do shit, so yeah.

I'm cool with what you said.

 

[Aunel]

to do what you want to of course

but hey, my dads rich, so I'll just inherit my fortune.

 

[mikecoulter]

I like your idea. It's also what I recently planned to do.

 

[Cherry Cola]

You're right, you should do what you want and not what you need. If you want to make the big bucks, be a complete failure like 50 cent or Paris Hilton. If you want to be satisfied with your life, just get a job good enough to buy you internet.

Oh Escapist magazine, what would we do without you?

 

[bodyklok]

Now I work in a warehouse finding out this job pays me more than anyone else in my family and most of them have Bacholar degrees!

Bottom line: Go to school for what you want to learn, not What pays more. Because your probably going to work at a job like mine to pay the bills and use your education for a hobby.

This is pretty much true, it doesn't require years of training to make money, you could leave school tomorrow and become an entrepreneur; all it takes is hard work and making smart business investments.

The thing is though, working in a warehouse, with the exception of racing around in forklifts, sounds really boring. As does being an entrepreneur, for me anyway, but I basically except I think education, and what job you so, should have more to do with what you want to do and what you enjoy. Rather than what's simply the most practical choice, cos that sounds dull.

 

[Valate_v1legacy]

I'm not even going to college. No time, I just need to get from high school straight to working on my inventions and massive global corporation that makes Microsoft look like a family store. You didn't see anything.

 

[shadowstriker86]

thats why im getting a degree in english and a teaching credential while learning how to speak japanese, so i can be an english teacher in japan

 

[ghalkhsdkssakgh]

I know I'm going to go to college. Probably Philosophy and Maths. And then after all that I aim to become a writer. So why college? Because I really enjoy those two subjects. And because a maths degree is pretty damn useful.
It all depends on the job, the college and the subject. An arts degree from Scunthorpe probably won't open too many doors, whereas a Maths degree from Cambridge (fingers crossed) will definitely be an asset. So yeah. Go whichever way you want to go.

There's a handy site set up to help those who aren't applying for uni. Here:

http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/

 

[Twilight_guy]

Um... okay. I know that in the long run its generally better to just take what ever you would have spent on college and go out into the world and run with it but college still helps in more ways then just a job. How many high school kids are ready to go out immediately after school as compared to college kids? the maturity level is different and people's ideas on what the world is about change very quickly once they leave home. Having some time to still be in school makes that time more valuable rather then being forced into getting a job.

 

[olicon]

the question is why bother with post-high school education when theres jobs out there that pay just as well?

The job your in now, is it the top of your career path?
How does it compare to the tops of the career paths that require degrees?

Bottom line: Go to school for what you want to learn, not What pays more.

The best thing about blue collar job is some of them (handyman and stuff) are really resistant to the economic cycle. On the other hand, pick a wrong job and you're the first one out the door.
But like Danny Ocean says, it's about where you see yourself in the future. Jobs that requires a degree could get you a lot of places, although this is not guaranteed either.

I think ultimately, pride comes into play as well. The world tends to treat that guy walking down the street in a suit better than the ones in bowling shirt, even if in reality the suits is totally in debt, and the bowling shirt guy is loaded.

Money doesn't matter too much though. You'll have lots of legs up on the college guys by at least 7 or 8 years in income (college + repaying student loan), so invest, invest, invest!

Also, it's true that you do get a very different experience going to college. You are exposed to a lot more people. If you have the energy, taking some non-career related part time courses at uni (community college doesn't give nearly as much experience in this area as the big uni, where people from all over the world congregate) will make you a much more well-rounded person.