Is College Worth It? What do you think?

LargeSide

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I probably can't fully say whether or not it was worth it yet, because I am still in my undergrad, but I think it will be worth it for me. Of course, it depends on the field that you want to go in to. Other than the learning experiences in the classroom, experiences outside of the classroom have certainly shaped who I am.

I am not the type of person who would succeed at too much physical labor... I would certainly fail at that. In order to get a job that will make me happy in the long run and allow me to make a modest salary, I think schooling is required. I would never be able to get the job I'm hoping for without schooling. Nowadays, it is true that just a bachelors degree is not enough, so I plan on furthering my education after this, to at least get my masters.
 
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223790

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In my case absolutely yes. I worked at a job I detested for minimum wage. I was going nowhere and I was thoroughly miserable. My university years were the best years of my life. I met so many interesting people, had amazing experiences, and got to do a lot of travelling. Since graduating, my income has only increased year after year. I'm earning way more now than I ever dreamed possible as a student. Aside from better earnings, I think I also became a better person my opening my mind and learning new things. I still remember an old expression that was common on campuses across the country when I was a student, "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." So true.

It wasn't easy, but I persevered. Even the first few years after graduating were tough, but things got better. I think the problem with the younger generation today is that they expect instant success the day they graduate. I remember the news doing a story on kids having unrealistic expectations after graduating from high school let alone post-secondary. They thought that they would be earning one hundred grand a year, only have to work 8 hours a day, and would have their pick of jobs. Absolutely ludicrous! I wasn't disappointed because I was reasonable in my expectations. I knew it would take awhile to build experience and get a well paying stable job. I even did some volunteer work to get experience. I'm satisfied with what I have because I earn almost double the national average income, have benefits and a good pension plan, but I have to hold down 2 jobs in my field to earn such a good income.
 
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breeze

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I told this before. I ran across a friend on bart { bay area subway system } who almost got a phd from berkeley{stats}. He said its all bullshit. I think a lot of the arts are but not the sciences. Unless you have connections or get lucky what exactly does a BA{liberal arts} qualify you for? {except for teaching which does pay well here} I've known berkeley , vassar , stanford and harvard graduates around here by the boatload who haven't found decent jobs. {i'm talking about liberal arts graduates} Once in awhile i find someone who got lucky. Its a different ballgame with technical degrees.
If the cost is cheap there's nothing wrong with learning. But now the top colleges are very expensive for the most part and the amount of student loans is approaching 1 trillion dollars. Some say its the next financial crisis except its all government funded so its not. But if you don' major in a technical field or get in a medical school etc a liberal art degree probably will make it easier to get a job just not a great job. Stem sounds right.
engineering grads ask " how do i built one ?"
science grads ask " how does it work?"
accounting { now that's a good field supposely } grads ask" how much does it cost"
Liberal Arts grads ask {for real} " do you want fries with that ?" {read the pew studies}
 

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Oh hell yes a college degree is important. But do decide on a major first. Sure the general ed is pretty much the same but your major is the guts of your career goal. Many colleges also offer vocational degrees or specialized certificates. My advice, make an appointment with a college counselor in the admissions office.
 

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In my case, NO! I've been a waiter. I was very good at it, and made good money! I even opened a restaurant with some friends after getting a two year degree in healthcare. I later tried to get into healthcare, they told me that I did not have experience. Maybe I did not have everything planned out or maybe it's because the economy is soo bad that employers can be as picky as they want.
 

Drifterwood

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Yes it's worth it. Just don't get a degree in art or you'll end up on LPSG arguing about tofu.

:biggrin1:

I was able to enjoy college as part of my life rather than a stepping stone. It is a shame (fucking disaster IMO) that the expense today makes this a difficult option and changes the attitude to education and personal growth for so many.

The only way to enjoy tofu is braised. :tongue:
 

nudeyorker

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:biggrin1:

I was able to enjoy college as part of my life rather than a stepping stone. It is a shame (fucking disaster IMO) that the expense today makes this a difficult option and changes the attitude to education and personal growth for so many.

The only way to enjoy tofu is braised. :tongue:

This is something that I really overlooked discussing when I posted earlier. My undergraduate years were some of the best of my life. I also enjoyed getting my masters degree and had some precious and few enjoyable minutes in law school. Each experience gave me a priceless education in and out of the classroom.

Tofu? I can deal with it in Japan for some reason but have no taste for it otherwise.
 
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223790

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I told this before. I ran across a friend on bart { bay area subway system } who almost got a phd from berkeley{stats}. He said its all bullshit. I think a lot of the arts are but not the sciences. Unless you have connections or get lucky what exactly does a BA{liberal arts} qualify you for? {except for teaching which does pay well here} I've known berkeley , vassar , stanford and harvard graduates around here by the boatload who haven't found decent jobs. {i'm talking about liberal arts graduates} Once in awhile i find someone who got lucky. Its a different ballgame with technical degrees.
If the cost is cheap there's nothing wrong with learning. But now the top colleges are very expensive for the most part and the amount of student loans is approaching 1 trillion dollars. Some say its the next financial crisis except its all government funded so its not. But if you don' major in a technical field or get in a medical school etc a liberal art degree probably will make it easier to get a job just not a great job. Stem sounds right.
engineering grads ask " how do i built one ?"
science grads ask " how does it work?"
accounting { now that's a good field supposely } grads ask" how much does it cost"
Liberal Arts grads ask {for real} " do you want fries with that ?" {read the pew studies}

That's a common, but untrue myth here in Canada as well. I know that the U.S. has fared worse than Canada with the global recession, so maybe that is why it's harder for liberal arts grads to find good jobs. I have an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree, and the opportunities that were open to me with that degree were endless. You do have to specialize in something after your degree (like I did), but once you have, the opportunities are limitless. The fields that I could have entered with my degree were teaching (as you mentioned), law, public service, broadcasting, publishing, etc.

The reason I delayed going to university was because so many people had told me that "If you can't do science or math, you can't go to university". That's such a load, and I believed it (hence the reason I remained stuck in my crappy job for years before deciding that I had nothing to lose by continuing my education). Not everyone is good in the areas of math and science. It doesn't mean that there is nothing else a person can do though. I also heard the same stories that if you get a B.A., you will be pumping gas or working in fast food. It may be true that SOME people lacking ambition may end up doing those jobs for good, but it's only because they gave up and didn't keep trying. As I mentioned in my previous post, I had to do a crappy job after I finished my education to pay the bills until I gained enough experience through volunteering and working many short term contract jobs in my field (that the more established didn't want to do), so I could get a full-time good paying job in my field. I happened to have the miserable luck of graduating from my post degree program the year when my field was in a tail spin from the Asian currency crisis that hit in the late 90s. It took me a couple of years to get a good job in my field, but I absolutely refused to give up. I also moved to a different province where the job opportunities in my field were more plentiful. Once I did that, I actually had to turn work away in my field because I had so many job offers. To this day, I still turn work away in my field. I have now been in my field for 14 years (12 years full time).

As I also mentioned in my previous post, the younger generation has unrealistic expectations of instanst success the day they graduate, and when they don't get it, they complain. We all have to pay our dues in life. I certainly paid mine in full. Those who refuse to do so, get no sympathy from me.

I'm reminded of another expression, "No one is good at everything, but everyone is good at something". Also, so very true. If you do what you like, the money will (eventually) follow. You just have to persevere and be determined. :smile:
 
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breeze

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That's a common, but untrue myth here in Canada as well. I know that the U.S. has fared worse than Canada with the global recession, so maybe that is why it's harder for liberal arts grads to find good jobs. I have an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree, and the opportunities that were open to me with that degree were endless. You do have to specialize in something after your degree (like I did), but once you have, the opportunities are limitless. The fields that I could have entered with my degree were teaching (as you mentioned), law, public service, broadcasting, publishing, etc.

The reason I delayed going to university was because so many people had told me that "If you can't do science or math, you can't go to university". That's such a load, and I believed it (hence the reason I remained stuck in my crappy job for years before deciding that I had nothing to lose by continuing my education). Not everyone is good in the areas of math and science. It doesn't mean that there is nothing else a person can do though. I also heard the same stories that if you get a B.A., you will be pumping gas or working in fast food. It may be true that SOME people lacking ambition may end up doing those jobs for good, but it's only because they gave up and didn't keep trying. As I mentioned in my previous post, I had to do a crappy job after I finished my education to pay the bills until I gained enough experience through volunteering and working many short term contract jobs in my field (that the more established didn't want to do), so I could get a full-time good paying job in my field. I happened to have the miserable luck of graduating from my post degree program the year when my field was in a tail spin from the Asian currency crisis that hit in the late 90s. It took me a couple of years to get a good job in my field, but I absolutely refused to give up. I also moved to a different province where the job opportunities in my field were more plentiful. Once I did that, I actually had to turn work away in my field because I had so many job offers. To this day, I still turn work away in my field. I have now been in my field for 14 years (12 years full time).

As I also mentioned in my previous post, the younger generation has unrealistic expectations of instanst success the day they graduate, and when they don't get it, they complain. We all have to pay our dues in life. I certainly paid mine in full. Those who refuse to do so, get no sympathy from me.

I'm reminded of another expression, "No one is good at everything, but everyone is good at something". Also, so very true. If you do what you like, the money will (eventually) follow. You just have to persevere and be determined. :smile:
" We encourage students to major in the liberal arts. "
AT&T Chairman
Number of liberal art graduates hired by at&t over a 20 year period. 0

What's your field ? Everyone should follow your example. It certainly helps if you want to relocate. I didn't want to leave the bay area. I would be homeless if i relied on my berkeley degree. I made my million selling and buying collectibles.{on paper anyway}
But what general data is there that supports the notion that there are plenty of good/high paying jobs for liberal art graduates. Different studies reach different conclusions. The PEW studies stated that college degrees , unless in technical fields , offered no financial advantages. None of the fields you mentioned except maybe public service/government/teaching have a lot of jobs to offer. The demand for liberal art graduates/college graduates may vary by location. There are billions and billions of them in the bay area. I believe at least 50% of bay area residents have college degrees. The bank of america in sf used the word " hordes" to describe the number of applications it receives.
And its one thing if the cost of college is relatively inexpensive. Its another if you go to stanford and pay 75,000 a year for lets say 5 years. If its out of your own pocket it may cripple you for life if you can't pay it back. It goes on your credit record and in the united states that means having a harder time finding a job or even an apartment. I believe the default rates in the states are high so the government is making adjustments. Not to mention your parents' life saving which was earned with blood and sweat may be down a toilet. Its a complicated matter. No easy answers.
 

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I think that a college education is important but if you can't get one. Educate yourself somehow.

EVEN THOUGH, my college experiences weren't great. (I did graduate but no SUMMA CUM LAUDE or MAGNA CUM LAUDE like I was striving for.) But I did make the DEAN'S LIST one semester.:smile:

I was disappointed because I was taking ALL these classes...studying...and four particular college professors had issue with me and my work. I ended up with a blah GPA. (You mess up a few classes and your GPA gets mucked.) Mind you, I wasn't EVEN a party student. I didn't even have any social or a romantic life at all either at the time.


One problem I have with college is the GPA concept. When you mess up in a class...the grades shouldn't fuck up all your other classes and good grades. I felt really bad because I felt like a dumbass and I am not.


After graduating, I decided to learn stuff on my own. I don't think that I would go for a Masters degree at all. I am tired of people mucking about with GPA and if you don't do good in their eyes...the world thinks that you aren't up to no good.

 

greekperv

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Dude College is worth every penny! Just a Liberal Arts degree which is 2years of college is better than nothing.

What are you interested in or what keeps you interested? Focus on that and go for. College is also about NET WORKING. Get to know a lot of people in the industry your going for. Its all about WHO you know and having some form of knowledge.

College offers free tudors too.

Just having a degree increases your pay. A degree says a lot!

Go for it man! 2 years will fly by
 

Mr_Ri0t

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Education should be its own Reward

I think this is very well said. :) it's all very personal. You can go in and just plow through courses to get to a career, or you can morph yourself into a sponge and let the block of your life dedicated to college be the most fruitful learning experience possible. In the end, you WILL be better if you take it seriously and don't quit.

If you go, make sure you attend any workshops, meetings, and orientations that you can. FAMILIARIZE yourself with your school's resources, educate yourself about scholarships and grants, and be the most diligent student you possibly can. Be prepared to sacrifice a fraction of your social activities!! It's miserable for me, when I can't play music with my friends all the time, but I recently had to learn how to draw that line. :/
 

Redwyvre

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Based on your personal experience- what do you think?

cost:benefit

Going to college in the US is very expensive and time-consuming. If you're sitting on the fence trying to decide whether or not to go, get some counseling first. I went to a place called Career Vision in suburban Chicago and it was worth every cent. This was years ago. I spent an entire day being evaluated and taking tests. It was an exhausting experience, but they were being very thorough. Next day went back and talked with a counselor who went over my results. Her insights were amazingly insightful and accurate. Not a bit of fortune-telling hooey. Has helped me ever since. Good luck to you!!
 

Mr_Ri0t

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To add, I finished high school in '04, I've struggled with major depression, dead end jobs, professional and psychological burnout. For me, college is another chance to develop the skills we're supposed to be able to pickup K-12, as well as a chance to further myself as a scientist and artist, and learn how to be an adult. :S

We need scientists, engineers, and science communicators. :)
 

breeze

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I haven't read the posts that carefully but why is it that those graduates in liberal arts who claim to be successful { and obviously there are some who are very successful with just a liberal art degree for a number of reasons / i'm not saying there aren't any but they are the exception and not the rule } speak in such general terms{no problem finding a good job} instead of telling us exactly what they do so we can get a better idea what works ?
 

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Based on your personal experience- what do you think?

cost:benefit

Absolutely. Worth it.

For me, the cost was minimum for undergrad. It was way worth it. I think I learned as much from my classmates as I did from the courses I took -- I went to an all women's college up in New England. Loved it. Absolutely worth the move across country and the snow, and the WORK! After that experience, working full time was almost easy. I went on for grad school for better pay, but not as much of an impact on me as my undergrad degree.

Both have increased my income and because I did my grad degree while working, my work picked up the bill for most of it. I still have student loans, but that was my own fault. I couldn't make up my mind on what career path to follow. But all in all, college was and still is something I'm pretty sure changed my life for the better.
 
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223790

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" We encourage students to major in the liberal arts. "
AT&T Chairman
Number of liberal art graduates hired by at&t over a 20 year period. 0

What's your field ? Everyone should follow your example. It certainly helps if you want to relocate. I didn't want to leave the bay area. I would be homeless if i relied on my berkeley degree. I made my million selling and buying collectibles.{on paper anyway}
But what general data is there that supports the notion that there are plenty of good/high paying jobs for liberal art graduates. Different studies reach different conclusions. The PEW studies stated that college degrees , unless in technical fields , offered no financial advantages. None of the fields you mentioned except maybe public service/government/teaching have a lot of jobs to offer. The demand for liberal art graduates/college graduates may vary by location. There are billions and billions of them in the bay area. I believe at least 50% of bay area residents have college degrees. The bank of america in sf used the word " hordes" to describe the number of applications it receives.
And its one thing if the cost of college is relatively inexpensive. Its another if you go to stanford and pay 75,000 a year for lets say 5 years. If its out of your own pocket it may cripple you for life if you can't pay it back. It goes on your credit record and in the united states that means having a harder time finding a job or even an apartment. I believe the default rates in the states are high so the government is making adjustments. Not to mention your parents' life saving which was earned with blood and sweat may be down a toilet. Its a complicated matter. No easy answers.

My original plan was to be a journalist (which my B.A. would have helped me achieve had I decided to stick with it), but in the end I ended up working in the field of specialized adult education. Again, I can't comment on what the situation is like in the U.S. In Canada, it seems that there is more opportunity, but again it varies greatly (especially in my field) on the province that you live in. The funny thing is that I fell into my field. It was never my plan to work in specialized adult education until after I had finished my degree, but my B.A. gave me the flexibility to do so. I am now looking at getting into film production as a "second career" because it's something I'm very fascinated by. I have been toying with the idea of going back to university. If I decide to do it, my B.A. offers me the flexibility to do so. I had the student loan burden when I finished my degree as well. It took me 9 years to pay it back. I didn't take out student loans when I did my post degree studies because I decided not to go down that road again so I worked full time and studied part time to finish it. It took longer, but I graduated debt free from my post-degree studies. That's always an option as well. If I had to do my degree again, I would work full-time and study part-time. There's nothing fun about student debt. Good luck! :smile:
 

rbkwp

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Looks like you should be off to College OP
hope all this info has not overwhelmed you?

In my early days LPSG i used to be an ignorant shit, re Intellectuals & education
still am ... an ignorant shit
(esp if i post after a few beers)
but
having seen how my families kids have achieved well with education, in there era
i am ALL for education, further and beyond.