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Old 06-03-2010, 11:37 AM
 
Location: The Chatterdome in La La Land, CaliFUNia
39,031 posts, read 22,979,784 times
Reputation: 36027

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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcb1025 View Post
This is his answer to everything. He obviously doesn't understand economics. My guess: Huckleberry hound never went to college. Who do you think makes up the majority of unemployed? It's not degree holders, friend. It's high school educated people who worked in factories that were off shored. Yeah, some white collar folks were thrown into the mix. But when GM and Ford were laying off 30,000 people each month, they were laying off factory workers.

He sound like ancient samurai warrior though when he dish out advice. I guess that's why he has a rep of over 21,000.
I agree ... In this economy, it is unwise to forgo that college education as employers would screen out applicants simply because they do not have a college degree. Also, nursing ain't for everyone and the waiting lists to enter a nursing program is long. The so-called LVN crossover program DOES still require a student to complete science prerequisites and not everyone has the brain for science nor the stomach for the gory stuff that nurses are exposed to on a daily basis. Nothing wrong with pursuing a trade to gain immediate employment while working on that bachelors degree but don't think that the technical training would be all to carry you through if the industry changes.
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Old 06-03-2010, 11:42 AM
 
Location: The Chatterdome in La La Land, CaliFUNia
39,031 posts, read 22,979,784 times
Reputation: 36027
Quote:
Originally Posted by iwonderwhy2124 View Post
I am not bashing a college education, but I have some serious beefs with the industry. Why has the cost of tuition gone up so much faster than inflation? Why are there so many university degree programs that will never get one a job? My advise to any kid is to be an informed consumer before going down any path. College is an investment. You are taking on a lot of debt all with the hopes that you will make more money in the long run.

A bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary religious studies is not going to get you anywhere. Neither is a bachelor's in philosophy or psychology. Yet, schools are pumping these kids out left and right. They know that they will never get jobs...and that is a crime. At least if you get a degree in business or hard science kind of stuff you have a chance.

Also, the economy has changed in a lot of ways. A lot of high skilled jobs are now being offshored (just like the low-skilled jobs were). Even engineering is becoming a crap-shoot nowadays.

College used to always be worth it. Now it is worth it maybe 50% of the time. Be careful and plan things out as an informed consumer. Higher education has become a bubble....just like tech in the late 90's and real estate of a few years ago.
I agree that the cost of education needs to be brought down to avoid students graduating with more debt than they can handle. I also agree that students who are NOT planning to pursue advanced degrees need to be more selective of their major in terms of helping them gain employment after graduation. Even more so, students should not expect the degree to carry them right into a dream job - if the student's degree program does not require an internship, the student should still obtain work experience via volunteering, internships or paid employment in the field that they are trying to enter. Once you graduate, keep your skills up to date with continuous training in your industry to stay current.
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Old 06-03-2010, 11:49 AM
 
Location: Southern Minnesota
5,984 posts, read 13,379,006 times
Reputation: 3370
I can't speak for everyone, but for me, college was worthless. The only job I could find after spending $50,000 plus at an in-state school for an aviation degree was working in a call center for $12 an hour, and that was after searching for a year and moving across the country. I could have gotten the same job at 18 after graduating from high school and I'd probably be a manager by now. Maybe I'm just naturally unemployable, maybe it works out for other people, I don't know. In my OPINION, unless you're going into a very specialized field (engineering, medicine, law) college is absolutely pointless and just a waste of time and money. Just go get a minimum wage job out of high school and get experience, that's all employers care about, anyway. If you hit the glass ceiling you can always go back to school after you're established in your career and more financially secure.
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Old 06-03-2010, 11:51 AM
FBJ
 
Location: Tall Building down by the river
39,605 posts, read 58,885,035 times
Reputation: 9451
The cost each year for the college I attended was $24,000 a year in the mid 90's. I guess now it's probably $35,000 a year

Ridiculous.
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Old 06-03-2010, 11:53 AM
 
Location: Pacific Northwest
2,992 posts, read 3,400,626 times
Reputation: 4944
Quote:
Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy View Post
The cost each year for the college I attended was $24,000 a year in the mid 90's. I guess now it's probably $35,000 a year

Ridiculous.
Um, that's not so ridiculous. Assuming 3% annual inflation for 15 years, that $24,000 in 1995 is $37,300 in 2010. And according to CPI for the past 15 years (which understates price inflation), that $24,000 in 1995 is $34,300 in 2010.

What's ridiculous is for-profit online chain schools like University of Phoenix charging that amount, and that after four years of college people can't calculate compound interest.

Last edited by Guineas; 06-03-2010 at 12:07 PM..
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Old 06-03-2010, 12:01 PM
 
Location: southern california
61,289 posts, read 87,234,203 times
Reputation: 55556
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guineas View Post
Your point? Surgeons at my hospital make $280,000 to $420,000, double to triple the number on the chart for professional degrees and 10x that of high school grads. Their jobs can't be outsourced either.

My point is that there are boundless opportunities for college grads that are simply not available to blue collar workers short of going the self-employed route. While exceptions are plenty for high school only grads, the upper-end exceptions for college grads are even greater.
the surgeon jobs cant be outresourced? friend do you know any doctors, any? off shoring of medical is happening at rocket speed. all the heart specialists i know at this time are from india.
you are very much misinformed. your profile is blank, so i am guessing where you are coming from-- but traditional teaching on the hood is-- shun the trades and seek advanced degrees.
the blame for this rests with AA leadership which has encouraged targeting the professions instead of the trades. the trade schools in the urban poor areas go empty.
the liberal arts programs are jammed with welfare recipients. a few eddie murphy movies have convinced the people that everybody can get a high level EEOC job with an advanced degree. not so. only in the movies.
however i know alota gals that left the ghetto and had a happy wonderful life as VA nurses.
i have a dream.

Last edited by Huckleberry3911948; 06-03-2010 at 12:13 PM..
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Old 06-03-2010, 12:04 PM
 
Location: Wisconsin
677 posts, read 1,617,305 times
Reputation: 633
Not everyone has sufficient means to attend college. Ending up $30,000+ in debt is not always in a person's best interest, especially for a degree that has no hope of earning them a job they enjoy. Not everyone has a mommy and daddy who can pay their way, nor the years to waste sitting in a classroom.

The biggest problem is that so many 18 year olds enroll in college with no direction and without the slightest idea of what they want to do with their life. They choose a random major, get a crappy job, and end up miserable. Sure, they may make more money, but they may also be living a life that they hate. The blame can be spread between the student's lack of research, the parents' and schools' lack of information, and the college's lack of interest in the student and providing an education that matches their natural talents. The "career exploration" center at an average college is essentially worthless and provides no further resources than a few personality tests and a copy of the school's course listing.

The truth is that there is no "right" way to live life, but high schools seem to love to spread BS that college is the ticket to success. They sell a college education as an easy way out, when really, it's nothing more than a way to put off the real world for most kids who are there.

The only reason to go to college is if a person has the disposable income and wants to learn or has a specific goal in mind for attending. Going to college just to go and hoping to earn more money later is a ridiculous move. But for those people who want to go and enjoy learning, all the more power to them. I think that education is great. The same can be said for those with a specific career goal in mind, who are dedicated and motivated to succeed. Good for them, that's awesome.

Making a blanket statement that college is always a good move shows nothing more than the fact that colleges/high schools/advertising have done their jobs extremely well.

ETA: I also noticed in your OP that you placed a high amount of importance on the amount of money a person makes. If you really think that making a lot of money is the most that a person has to hope for in life, I feel extremely sorry for you.
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Old 06-03-2010, 12:09 PM
 
26,585 posts, read 61,919,848 times
Reputation: 13161
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guineas View Post
Your point? Surgeons at my hospital make $280,000 to $420,000, double to triple the number on the chart for professional degrees and 10x that of high school grads. Their jobs can't be outsourced either.

My point is that there are boundless opportunities for college grads that are simply not available to blue collar workers short of going the self-employed route. While exceptions are plenty for high school only grads, the upper-end exceptions for college grads are even greater.
My point is that many trades which don't require an expensive college degree pay as well, and in many cases more, and don't require self-employment. I GUARANTEE that our lowest paid skilled tradesmen is making more than someone with a Bachelors in Psychology. For tahta matter they are making more than a teacher starts at around here, and 20 years from now they will still be making mroe than a teacher caps out at around here. All with the security of not getting a pink slip, and having a 401K and group health. Oh, and no student loans.
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Old 06-03-2010, 12:12 PM
 
26,585 posts, read 61,919,848 times
Reputation: 13161
Quote:
Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy View Post
The cost each year for the college I attended was $24,000 a year in the mid 90's. I guess now it's probably $35,000 a year

Ridiculous.
Costs for 2010-2011Annual Charges Tuition$28,582 Double Room (Complexes)$7,114 Freshman Exclusive $4,458 Fees$1,270 Total$41,424

Total Cost $41,424Average Financial Aid Award-$23,574* (estimate) Average "out of pocket" expense $17,850**
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Old 06-03-2010, 12:15 PM
 
Location: Wisconsin
677 posts, read 1,617,305 times
Reputation: 633
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcb1025 View Post
This is his answer to everything. He obviously doesn't understand economics. My guess: Huckleberry hound never went to college. Who do you think makes up the majority of unemployed? It's not degree holders, friend. It's high school educated people who worked in factories that were off shored. Yeah, some white collar folks were thrown into the mix. But when GM and Ford were laying off 30,000 people each month, they were laying off factory workers.

He sound like ancient samurai warrior though when he dish out advice. I guess that's why he has a rep of over 21,000.
And you are a great example of how placing such an importance on money often leads to a person becoming condescending and incapable of empathizing with his fellow man.

So what if Huckleberry didn't go to college? Does it matter? Why does it bother you so much that other people enjoy their lives without going to such lengths to make money and follow the cookie cutter lifestyle that's been thrown at them?
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