College

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: JungleMan1
I'm with BigJ. Here's a bright idea: Figure out what you want to do, then spend money and time on a degree. Get a degree that you can get a job with, too. Programming and chemistry are both good, but some of these music and arts majors ramble on all day about how they want to "do what they love" but usually end up waiting tables out of college. I dont think that's what they had in mind.

Also, often times the degree is not so much about what you majored in but the fact that you're smart/dedicated enough to make it through college. That's why so many people end up doing stuff that isn't really related to what they studied.

so what do you do if you can't figure out what you want to do?

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: RelaxTheMind
If your not crafty or witty enough (and lucky) to have what it takes to be a successful entrapenuar. go to college and get experience under your belt.

Treat people below you like the scum they are and always step over people to get to the top.

ah, the ATOT mantra

 

[JungleMan1]

Originally posted by: pontifex
so what do you do if you can't figure out what you want to do?

You don't have to know exactly what you want to do; most people really don't, and most people end up holding a variety of jobs throughout their career. What you need to ask yourself is, what are your skills, what are you interested in, and what field of education would best help you in teaching you specialized skills that can translate into a decent-paying job.

For example, I'm getting a BSBA in Marketing and probably Finance (I'm double-majoring). I chose Marketing because I discovered (in high school and college) my fascination with the topic, my creativity, and natural people skills. I'm thinking of choosing Finance as a second major because I've always been very interested in investing and financial markets, and I'm good with numbers and analytical thinking.

That's the beauty of it, I am/will be equipped with the specialized skills which I can apply to a variety of different jobs and industries. Am I investing time, and money both in the form of expenses and opportunity cost to obtain this? Absolutely. But I think it will be worth it, I understand the "system" and I know it's a lot more than a piece of paper.

 

[zebano]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: JungleMan1
I'm with BigJ. Here's a bright idea: Figure out what you want to do, then spend money and time on a degree. Get a degree that you can get a job with, too. Programming and chemistry are both good, but some of these music and arts majors ramble on all day about how they want to "do what they love" but usually end up waiting tables out of college. I dont think that's what they had in mind.

Also, often times the degree is not so much about what you majored in but the fact that you're smart/dedicated enough to make it through college. That's why so many people end up doing stuff that isn't really related to what they studied.

so what do you do if you can't figure out what you want to do?

Just find something interesting and do it until it's boring. Then do it another 2-10 years while doing some minimal studying to jump into a new field. Keep learning and change your surroundings. If you're lucky, you'll fall into something you're willing to do the rest of your life. If not, you'll end up knowing a fair amount about a lot of different things.

Edit: Note that college is you starting point as I can't imagine stocking shelves for more than the time it takes to earn a degree (unless you're working for yourself).

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Pwnbroker
Anybody else here spend 30k+ to find out that what they went to school for just isn't what they want to do? I'm on the verge of graduating with an associates degree in programming, and I think what I want to do is be a chemist instead. What should I do? Work a programming job for a couple of years and make enough money to pay off my student loans then go back to school?

I'm thinking the purpose of school is to propel you through a career in a field so you can burn out early and go into a totally different field before you're 30. College is only there to hasten the end result. What's your thoughts?

You spent $30k to get an associates degree...in programming?

 

[Mo0o]

I spent quite a bit more than $30K but i've made the most of out of college and im going on to medical school. well worth it.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: Pwnbroker
Anybody else here spend 30k+ to find out that what they went to school for just isn't what they want to do? I'm on the verge of graduating with an associates degree in programming, and I think what I want to do is be a chemist instead. What should I do? Work a programming job for a couple of years and make enough money to pay off my student loans then go back to school?

I'm thinking the purpose of school is to propel you through a career in a field so you can burn out early and go into a totally different field before you're 30. College is only there to hasten the end result. What's your thoughts?

You spent $30k to get an associates degree...in programming?

you didn't read the whole thread i take it?

 

[Zolty]

The Roomy got a Chem E degree and he is doing programming work. Doesn't matter what your major is sometimes.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: JungleMan1
I'm with BigJ. Here's a bright idea: Figure out what you want to do, then spend money and time on a degree. Get a degree that you can get a job with, too. Programming and chemistry are both good, but some of these music and arts majors ramble on all day about how they want to "do what they love" but usually end up waiting tables out of college. I dont think that's what they had in mind.

Also, often times the degree is not so much about what you majored in but the fact that you're smart/dedicated enough to make it through college. That's why so many people end up doing stuff that isn't really related to what they studied.

so what do you do if you can't figure out what you want to do?

You need to make up your mind, or you're going to be spending the rest of your life doing something you don't want to do.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: Pwnbroker
Anybody else here spend 30k+ to find out that what they went to school for just isn't what they want to do? I'm on the verge of graduating with an associates degree in programming, and I think what I want to do is be a chemist instead. What should I do? Work a programming job for a couple of years and make enough money to pay off my student loans then go back to school?

I'm thinking the purpose of school is to propel you through a career in a field so you can burn out early and go into a totally different field before you're 30. College is only there to hasten the end result. What's your thoughts?

You spent $30k to get an associates degree...in programming?

you didn't read the whole thread i take it?

Just finished.

Looks like OP is just trying to justify himself being lazy/complacent. Bottom line is that the college path is the *best* way to rate people on a mass scale. You may not actually learn much in college (especially with a social science degree) but it does show that you are willing to "excel" and be competitive by taking the SAT, doing well in HS, then investing time and money to go to college to get the "degree." It is practically the only way to rate people pre-professional workforce.

If you were some kind of programming genius, you wouldn't need a college degree to be "successful." But college is where you meet other like minded people who were willing to "invest" money and time so they can enter the workforce and it gives you an advantage over people who merely graduated HS and decided to go flip burgers.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: JungleMan1
I'm with BigJ. Here's a bright idea: Figure out what you want to do, then spend money and time on a degree. Get a degree that you can get a job with, too. Programming and chemistry are both good, but some of these music and arts majors ramble on all day about how they want to "do what they love" but usually end up waiting tables out of college. I dont think that's what they had in mind.

Also, often times the degree is not so much about what you majored in but the fact that you're smart/dedicated enough to make it through college. That's why so many people end up doing stuff that isn't really related to what they studied.

so what do you do if you can't figure out what you want to do?

You need to make up your mind, or you're going to be spending the rest of your life doing something you don't want to do.

i have a feeling thats what i am gonna end up doing whether i decide or not.

 

[Reckoner]

Why do you think they call it a BS degree?

 

[Canai]

Uh, isn't the purpose of college to get drunk and sleep through class?

Just kidding (or am I )

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: Pwnbroker
Anybody else here spend 30k+ to find out that what they went to school for just isn't what they want to do? I'm on the verge of graduating with an associates degree in programming, and I think what I want to do is be a chemist instead. What should I do? Work a programming job for a couple of years and make enough money to pay off my student loans then go back to school?

I'm thinking the purpose of school is to propel you through a career in a field so you can burn out early and go into a totally different field before you're 30. College is only there to hasten the end result. What's your thoughts?

It has two purposes. You can go to college to become a professional in a specific field: doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc. You can go to college for a general education to make you a more capable, rounded, and (in my opinion) better person.

Job issues evolved seperately from college issues. Changing careers and all that is a relatively new phenomenon (say, 40 years tops).

 

[jae]

that is surprising.. most business courses are just seem like basic knowledge. not knocking your major but i mean i been in classes with business students who've said ".. oh so we're suppose to have target market for the products/services we supply?" I just shook my head.

 

[dbk]

You get what you put into it. It's not impossible to achieve your dream without going to college, but it's just that much damn tougher.

 

[IAteYourMother]

pathetic.

 

[Wreckem]

Why was this bumped?

 

[jae]

..because I searched for something involving school, seen this topic, and couldn't resist commenting. Not like this is a year old thread with someone asking how to fix something thats already been solved.

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: jae
..because I searched for something involving school, seen this topic, and couldn't resist commenting. Not like this is a year old thread with someone asking how to fix something thats already been solved.

I was just wondering. At first I didnt realize it was an old thread. Posted near the exact same post I did a year ago.

 

[jae]

Originally posted by: Wreckem

Originally posted by: jae
..because I searched for something involving school, seen this topic, and couldn't resist commenting. Not like this is a year old thread with someone asking how to fix something thats already been solved.

I was just wondering. At first I didnt realize it was an old thread. Posted near the exact same post I did a year ago.

actually i didnt notice this was from a year ago either lol.. nor did i notice it was almost a year from this very date lol but i wanted to comment as i go thru my "skip school; im getting tired of this shi; i feel like droppin out" stages

 

[Eeezee]

College is meant to further your education. If you take it as such, you'll find it's much more rewarding than if you seek to make as much money as possible (just go into finance if that's the case, become an investment banker, make 6 digits/year and join the ranks of a job with one of the highest suicide rates).

College actually helped me decide that I wanted to go to grad school. College life is great - you don't make much money (I've been riding by on scholarship and grant/fellowship money), and the hours can suck at some times (first year of grad school and third year of undergrad in my case). However, there is very little responsibility, you get student discounts, and your schedule is usually fairly flexible. Some weeks I can head down to the beach and read there instead of hanging around my office. I can't think of many jobs that would let me do that. Ahhh college life, it's hard to beat (especially when the economy gets bad - no chance of getting downsized).

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Why do you think they call it a BS degree?

BS = Bullshit
MS = More of the Same
PhD = Piled Higher and Deeper

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: amdskip
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: shuttleboi
Isn't an Associates degree what you get from a community college (which are usually pretty dirt cheap)?
</blockquote>
Yes, I'd say 3k a semester, no more.

Hehe, that's what I pay at the state university...my community college was about $600-700 per quarter.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
The purpose of an education, especially a college one, is enlightenment, for the benefit of oneself, and the benefit of the whole.

Actually that's pretty much exactly how I feel.