[allbusiness]

I don't know anyone who thinks like the original poster does any more

[magellan]

Originally Posted by scarabchuck

Yeah , unfortunately most jobs require one now a day's. I actually saw a job posting that paid $15-17 an hour that required a degree. Now for those that spent the money to get a degree.. that is a slap in the face. I hate to get in a debate about "degreed vs non" but it seems there is a huge divide developing ...

That's about $34,000/year. That's pretty typical for a recent college grad with a general bachelor's degree.

And I agree with allbusiness. I don't hear a lot of people saying that anymore (I haven't heard it in 25 years actually). But we should also accept the reality that not everyone should have a BA/BS degree. There's a lot of technical training that can be acquired that doesn't cost nearly as much as a 4 year college degree.

[jsejcm]

I think some of you misunderstood the first post. I took it to mean people outside of Michigan feel this way about Michiganders and he/she doesn't understand why. If I am wrong I guess somebody will correct me.

[taconis]

I think it depends on the era when you graduated from high school. In my graduating class only 2 or 3 of us went on to college. The rest went into the factories becase that was where the money was. This was 30 years ago. So my reference point is a lot different then the actions of today.

[Ivorytickler]

Originally Posted by cbmsu01

Why does the idea that people growing up in Michigan feel that they don't need to go to college because they can get a job with the Big 3 keep getting perpetuated? It hasn't been like that since the 1970s, and I don't think many residents seem to feel that way either. Most young people seemed to at least try college from what I'm aware of, but still, it seems like a lot of commentators continue the stereotype.

What do you think?

I wish most young people tried college. I don't think even half of our kids go. The last numbers I looked at (and they're old) had about 35% trying college and less than half of them graduating. Makes me wonder what they all do for a living. Even in it'e heyday, there were only so many jobs in the auto industry.

[cbmsu01]

Originally Posted by jsejcm

I think some of you misunderstood the first post. I took it to mean people outside of Michigan feel this way about Michiganders and he/she doesn't understand why. If I am wrong I guess somebody will correct me.

Yeah, that's pretty close to it. Basically, I was referring to commentators (both inside and outside of Michigan) who say that in order for Michigan to improve, young people need to stop thinking they don't need college, technical school, or some other sort of specialized training because they can get a job in the auto industry, when in fact, that line of thinking doesn't really exist anymore.

[Ivorytickler]

Originally Posted by cbmsu01

Yeah, that's pretty close to it. Basically, I was referring to commentators (both inside and outside of Michigan) who say that in order for Michigan to improve, young people need to stop thinking they don't need college, technical school, or some other sort of specialized training because they can get a job in the auto industry, when in fact, that line of thinking doesn't really exist anymore.

Unfortunately, that will not fix Michigan's woes. One of our biggest exports right now is educated people. There are few jobs to keep them here once they graduate. So, there are no jobs for the educated or the uneducated. The educated, however, can leave and do well elsewhere but that doesn't help Michigan.

[flyingwriter]

Why go into debt and spend thousands on a degree that probably wont get you a job, and if it does it's a job that barely pays a livable wage? It's not a wise investment from a financial perspective.

Go to college because you want to, not because you think it will get you a better job (because it won't).

[jsejcm]

Because you can't get a job without one. Employers can cherry pick now. They have so many applicants for one job that you can't even get an interview unless you have a degree. What you get a degree in, is the important part. People need to do more research into starting wages, experienced wages and where the jobs are before they settle on a career choice. I just read a study that said 70% of kids AND their parents don't bother to weigh the cost of getting the education, with how much their selected field of study will pay when they graduate.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by cbmsu01

Yeah, that's pretty close to it. Basically, I was referring to commentators (both inside and outside of Michigan) who say that in order for Michigan to improve, young people need to stop thinking they don't need college, technical school, or some other sort of specialized training because they can get a job in the auto industry, when in fact, that line of thinking doesn't really exist anymore.

I see what you're saying cbmsu01. I misread your first post.

I have heard a few national talking heads put out that claim, and it does make Michiganians sound stupid. I've given up hope that any of the national media is going to say anything good about Michigan, or the entire "rust belt flyover country" for that matter.