Is College Degree Worthless? (education, graduate, computer, year)

[tigerwoodsyall]

Originally Posted by censusdata

If I didn't have $60,000 (that's 4 zeros) in student loan debt I wouldn't finish college. At this point my only options are
1. Finish school and hopefully get a job in the $40/50,000 range so I can afford a 1 bedroom apartment and my loan payments or

2. Have my credit ruined and possibly be put in jail

I think when you consider how much loan payments cost a job paying $30,000 from a 1 year degree (like LPA or RN) is worth as much as making $50,000 as a Social Worker with $10,000 in loan payments per year.

What is your major? I had to take out $15,000 in student loans for mine.. . You are right though you already invested too much time and def. money to just walk away when your so close.

[killer2021]

That depends - if one simply looks at it as the sole path to getting a job - then it definitely is. What it's supposed to be is a representation of the knowledge, learning, and work you put into that makes you a better person. That, with other attributes is what gets you the job.

You can easily get that by just going to the library and picking out the appropriate text book and applying what you learn in those books to the real world.

I do not want to be a CPA as public accounting doesn't interest me.

A CPA license doesn't necessary mean you have to work in public accounting. If you ever want to start your own business a CPA license will definitely show people you know what you are talking about.

Most of the jobs that require degrees also require experience

Yea, that is what everyone DOESN'T tell you. What they say is get your degree first. In reality it should be get an entry-level job in something and if it requires a degree that is when you to go to college.

[Braunwyn]

Originally Posted by killer2021

You can easily get that by just going to the library and picking out the appropriate text book and applying what you learn in those books to the real world.

I never seem to be able to complete the same amount of work required in an average class on my own. I always plan to, but I don't.

Yea, that is what everyone DOESN'T tell you. What they say is get your degree first. In reality it should be get an entry-level job in something and if it requires a degree that is when you to go to college.

College does offer opportunity for work experience. A student has to be savy and creative though. OTOH, I was a non-trad student so maybe life experience gave me a heads up on that end.

[Rei]

2. Have my credit ruined and possibly be put in jail

I don't think they would put you in jail for not paying student loan..... if any, the ones they should put in jail are the irresponsible borrowers who created this mortgage meltdown....

even if they do,... you could always study, get a couple of advanced degrees, and run away to another country where they value education....

[censusdata]

Originally Posted by tigerwoodsyall

What is your major? I had to take out $15,000 in student loans for mine.. . You are right though you already invested too much time and def. money to just walk away when your so close.

I went for 3 years intending to be a Geography major. The problem with that is it requires pre calculus and I struggle to pass Algebra. After testing into remedial math course upon entering school I probably took 3 freaking remedial classes to the tune of $4,000.

I want to go back to school I want to change my major to sociology (most of my geography classes will transfer into Soc requirements) and then get into a grad school for Social Work. I really think SW would be a more rewarding career than sitting at a computer desk all day. More importantly I think it is important to recognize here in 2009 that the American economy has changed. The most important thing is having a job that 100% can NOT be outsourced. SW and other medical related fields are the most secure jobs in that regard

[MittenDweller82]

Originally Posted by censusdata

I went for 3 years intending to be a Geography major. The problem with that is it requires pre calculus and I struggle to pass Algebra. After testing into remedial math course upon entering school I probably took 3 freaking remedial classes to the tune of $4,000.

I want to go back to school I want to change my major to sociology (most of my geography classes will transfer into Soc requirements) and then get into a grad school for Social Work. I really think SW would be a more rewarding career than sitting at a computer desk all day. More importantly I think it is important to recognize here in 2009 that the American economy has changed. The most important thing is having a job that 100% can NOT be outsourced. SW and other medical related fields are the most secure jobs in that regard

I get tired of those who say sociology is a "useless" degree, even at the Bachelors level many higher paying jobs can be found in marketing, research, or counseling at the corporate level. Yes your opportunities open up when you receive your MS degree, but either way your pay is going to be higher than it would without the Bachelor degree. Sociology is a field that can be applied to many jobs, and can be adapted into the medical field. Good luck

[artsyguy]

is you making tons o' money?

Originally Posted by Sociologist

I get tired of those who say sociology is a "useless" degree, even at the Bachelors level many higher paying jobs can be found in marketing, research, or counseling at the corporate level. Yes your opportunities open up when you receive your MS degree, but either way your pay is going to be higher than it would without the Bachelor degree. Sociology is a field that can be applied to many jobs, and can be adapted into the medical field. Good luck

[chicagogirl2009]

To the original poster who lamenting his/her pre-law studies -- at least you're not in debt for an additional $100,000 for a law degree. There needs to be more awareness of how over-satured the legal field has become. Check out the following WSJ article written well before the finanical meltdown and resulting layoffs at law firms nationwide:

Moderator cut: please post a LINK to the article and not the entire copyrighted article.

[chicagogirl2009]

Please see:

Divorcing Law Grads, Stressed Over $190K in Debt, Victims of ‘Education Hoax’ | ABA Journal - Law News Now

Law Dean Says Schools ‘Exploiting’ Students Who Don’t Succeed | ABA Journal - Law News Now

Hard Case: Job Market Wanes for U.S. Lawyers - WSJ.com

The Great College Hoax - Forbes.com

Recession Batters Law Firms, Triggering Layoffs, Closings - WSJ.com

Legal Aid Groups Losing Money, Cutting Lawyers and Practicing Client Triage | ABA Journal - Law News Now

[DailyJournalist]

Learn a trade like plumber, electrician, auto mechanic, HVAC, etc, where you can make some real money. Most college degrees are useless these days. I wish I would have studied a trade instead.