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I've got a BS in Business Administration - Accounting. An RN makes more money then I do...considering changing careers. Something that's not physically demanding....
I see you're in San Diego. Where did you go to school? SDSU?
So I'm wondering, how is your degree serving you? What was your major? Are you in your chosen field?
BA in English + MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science)
I've been working in my chosen field, as a public librarian, since literally a few weeks after earning the MLIS in 2006 - and aside from a few short periods of time towards the beginning, have always been gainfully and happily employed in the field. I bounced around a little at first, just trying to find my niche, but have been in my current job for almost 6 years now. So I'd say it is serving me quite well!
I am a rarity, though, as someone who graduated with zero debt. I was fortunate enough to have parents who could afford to pay the tuition, in full every semester/year, which I appreciate much more now than I did at the time... not that I was ungrateful, mind you, but as a "real adult" I know what a gift that was.
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Importantly, do you believe you'd have been better off learning a trade and becoming a journeyman in those years it took to get your degree (and your debt load)?
Nope. But again, I have no debt load from school. I also make a fairly good living, doing something I sincerely enjoy, and feel good about at the end of the day. And given my physical limitations (various chronic issues), there are very few "trades" I could have done anyway. Librarianship can be intellectually and mentally draining at times, but physically it is only as difficult as I want it to be... if I'm tired or achy I can sit, and if I'm restless I can move around as needed. Perfect for me!
My degree qualified me for the profession I worked in for 34 years. It was a specialty, so no way to attack it any other way. There was no alternative route to the work I wanted to do, so had to face facts.
Yep, same situation for me... you can't get a public librarian job without the MLIS, so it was not an option for this career. Good thing was that I ended up really liking graduate school! Seriously, it was pretty fun for the most part.
I hear so much today about college grads leaving school with a boatload of loan debt ending up as barristers.
So I'm wondering, how is your degree serving you? What was your major? Are you in your chosen field?
Importantly, do you believe you'd have been better off learning a trade and becoming a journeyman in those years it took to get your degree (and your debt load)?
Barristers are lawyers. I think you meant "Barristas" - eg Starbucks coffee-pourers.
I noticed a trend here. People with STEM degrees or skilled degrees (accounting) thought it was worth it. People with soft degrees (English, liberal arts) don't. A huge part of this is WHAT degree you get.
I noticed a trend here. People with STEM degrees or skilled degrees (accounting) thought it was worth it. People with soft degrees (English, liberal arts) don't. A huge part of this is WHAT degree you get.
100%
I graduated with my degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2007 and got a job at a sought after company right out of school (and worked there for 9 years) and then moved in 2016 to take a new position at a smaller firm in Dallas. Even taking out loans for everything (4 years at a good state school for engineering - NC State), I paid it all back in 6ish years. Thus, I've been sitting with a combination of no debt and a six figure salary for almost 5 years.
Sure I worked hard in school and I think I put myself in the right position. But some of it is certainly a bit of 'luck' that engineering was something I was interested in and I graduated at the right time - engineering firms in my area were not hiring much for the next 2 years after that.
I noticed a trend here. People with STEM degrees or skilled degrees (accounting) thought it was worth it. People with soft degrees (English, liberal arts) don't. A huge part of this is WHAT degree you get.
That would seem to be axiomatic. Unfortunately, many just don’t get it.
That would seem to be axiomatic. Unfortunately, many just don’t get it.
Well, part of it is that employers need to 'get it' as well or something has to change. Unless you're going to be a completely autonomous, true artist (which is not reliable for a huge portion of the population) most employers hiring require degrees even for positions that don't necessarily require it. I'm always amazed at how many people require 4 year degrees for graphic design, marketing, etc. positions etc. when they're missing out on lots of talented people who are autodidacts in that kind of field. Yes, there are skills that people acquire in college that are useful to these people from a business standpoint, but still. A lot of companies have really made it tricky, requiring 4 year degrees for lots of positions that don't necessarily require it naturally. Thus, it's become the norm that you 'need' a college degree just to get considered unless youre going to go into the trades, retail, start your own business, etc.
Well, part of it is that employers need to 'get it' as well or something has to change. Unless you're going to be a completely autonomous, true artist (which is not reliable for a huge portion of the population) most employers hiring require degrees even for positions that don't necessarily require it. I'm always amazed at how many people require 4 year degrees for graphic design, marketing, etc. positions etc. when they're missing out on lots of talented people who are autodidacts in that kind of field. Yes, there are skills that people acquire in college that are useful to these people from a business standpoint, but still. A lot of companies have really made it tricky, requiring 4 year degrees for lots of positions that don't necessarily require it naturally. Thus, it's become the norm that you 'need' a college degree just to get considered unless youre going to go into the trades, retail, start your own business, etc.
Employers DO get it. If the requirements set by employers are reasonable, the market will reward the company. If the requirements are unreasonable, the market will punish he company. It is a self-correcting situation that is resolved my market forces, rather than by those don’t own the companies making demands on what companies should do.
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