Do you feel that college is shoved down people's throats?

[TechHead87]

Because honestly...I do. The end result is financial security, which can be obtained without spending $50,000+ on a piece of paper that MIGHT get you further in life than someone without it.

I also think that most people go for all the wrong reasons. A lot of the college grads that I know personally have no idea what they're gonna do in the upcoming months, because their degrees are in fields that they really dont care about. They went to college "to get a degree to get a job in a field to make a lot of money".

Me, on the other hand, found a decent job through networking with local businesspeople. I dropped out of college due to this job, and now has 3 years of experience that my ex-college classmates dont have. Now, this is not to say that they wont have good enjoyable jobs in the future...i realize that they are probably going to be making more $ than me 10 years from now (if I dont go back to college).

I just feel that college is way too force-fed these days. More money for our oh-so-needy government IMO.

 

[axelfox]

Well, not many people have the maturity and the sensibility to go out and network like you have (or the timing).

I think it is well documented that college grads earn much a much higher income over the same lifetime than a person with a high school degree. And college isn't just about the degree itself; the journey to the end is just as important. College is emphasized, I think, because of the ability to earn a much higher income (which is probably related to financial security somewhere).

But, to each his own.

 

[Glavinsolo]

Originally posted by: TechHead87
Because honestly...I do. The end result is financial security, which can be obtained without spending $50,000+ on a piece of paper that MIGHT get you further in life than someone without it.

I also think that most people go for all the wrong reasons. A lot of the college grads that I know personally have no idea what they're gonna do in the upcoming months, because their degrees are in fields that they really dont care about. They went to college "to get a degree to get a job in a field to make a lot of money".

Me, on the other hand, found a decent job through networking with local businesspeople. I dropped out of college due to this job, and now has 3 years of experience that my ex-college classmates dont have. Now, this is not to say that they wont have good enjoyable jobs in the future...i realize that they are probably going to be making more $ than me 10 years from now (if I dont go back to college).

I just feel that college is way too force-fed these days. More money for our oh-so-needy government IMO.

Oh so needy government? What about pelt grants and subsidized loans? Going to college for free has never been easier. Also School + Coop = success. I suggest not doing college in 4years but in 5 or 6 and while you are there take free time when you need it and get a coop during your school years. The only improvement I could see is a government mandated high school course in how to successfully go through college. Something that starts you off with a career assesment test and then shows you what your future classes will be and takes you down the track of your future college years.

 

[Glavinsolo]

A college degree shows two things to people who are going to hire you. 1) you know a little bit about what you majored in 2) you have the maturity and will power to follow through and get that so called 50,000 piece of paper

 

[Arschloch]

To sort of piggy-back on what Glavinsolo wrote...

College doesn't have to be JUST about getting that piece of paper or getting a better job. Some people, like me, value education for the sake of education. I learned things as an undergraduate that I never would have picked up anywhere else. Furthermore, it taught me a lot of critical thinking skills that, in my own personal experience, my business experience has not taught me.

College is a mind-expanding experience in many ways. And no, I'm not just referring to drugs.

But take this with a boulder of salt. I have 7 years of higher education since I finished HS, so I'm not the most unbiased source.

 

[mchammer]

Originally posted by: Glavinsolo

Originally posted by: TechHead87
Because honestly...I do. The end result is financial security, which can be obtained without spending $50,000+ on a piece of paper that MIGHT get you further in life than someone without it.

I also think that most people go for all the wrong reasons. A lot of the college grads that I know personally have no idea what they're gonna do in the upcoming months, because their degrees are in fields that they really dont care about. They went to college "to get a degree to get a job in a field to make a lot of money".

Me, on the other hand, found a decent job through networking with local businesspeople. I dropped out of college due to this job, and now has 3 years of experience that my ex-college classmates dont have. Now, this is not to say that they wont have good enjoyable jobs in the future...i realize that they are probably going to be making more $ than me 10 years from now (if I dont go back to college).

I just feel that college is way too force-fed these days. More money for our oh-so-needy government IMO.

Oh so needy government? What about pelt grants and subsidized loans? Going to college for free has never been easier. Also School + Coop = success. I suggest not doing college in 4years but in 5 or 6 and while you are there take free time when you need it and get a coop during your school years. The only improvement I could see is a government mandated high school course in how to successfully go through college. Something that starts you off with a career assesment test and then shows you what your future classes will be and takes you down the track of your future college years.

Some good ideas here.

Is a co-op the same as an internship??

 

[LordMorpheus]

There are plenty of jobs that anyone without an engineering degree wouldn't have a hope in hell of getting. An engineering degree is much more than a peice of paper . .

 

[acemcmac]

College is a waste of time. That's why I graduated in 3 instead of 4 years. I wanted the next year of my life back.

 

[astrocase]

I think College is great but people need to be honest about it. Unless you have a clear objective, a career that needs you to have that piece of paper, then there really is no need for it other than to have a good time. Many people can get by with just a two year degree. In many cases work experience is worth a lot more. My friends with military experience are all doing very well.

I never used my college education but I'm glad I did it. It gave me a sense of pride. Nonetheless, if I was smart I would have dropped out and started working sooner.

I guess it's important to point out that of my friends that went to college one of three things happened. Either they didn't use it, they got a 2 year certificate/degree and use it, or they are so stuck on the idea that one day their degree will do something for them that they just keep going and going and will still be in college until they're 30.

If you don't have a clear career objective and you're getting a PhD then there's something wrong imop. The most sucessfull people I know either didn't go to college or didn't use their degree. It's kind of ironic. I'm still rooting for a few friends getting their PhD's though.

Now I have family members that got medical and law degrees years ago and they all did very well but I'm talking about people my age. I suppose it's not a done deal though for a few more years until I see what happens with my friends getting their doctorates.

 

[TechHead87]

I think in the end, it all depends on the drive of the person receiving the degree, and what FIELD the degree is in.

If a tech-minded person (much like a lot of us on anandtech) got an engineering or comp sci degree, we could do more good than a couch potato with a liberal arts degree.

 

[Mrvile]

There was a discussion on this a while ago but I can't seem to find the thread. There was actually a lot of interesting stuff posted and a lot of realization too. Is it all worth it? Hmm. Same thing goes for standardized testing and hell, even school in general. Damn, wish I could find that thread.

 

[iamaelephant]

Depends what field you are going into. I intend to pursue a career in science, where a degree is absolutely necessary.

 

[NatePo717]

Originally posted by: mchammer

Is a co-op the same as an internship??

Somewhat. Co-ops recieve a wages while internships may or may not. I go to a school wich requires about a year and a quarter of co-op time before you can graduate. I've done half a year so far and am going back on co-op this summer/fall. It's a good way to make back the money you spend on school. I no longer have to take any more loans since I make enough working part time for the same place to pay for housing and food.

 

[astrocase]

Originally posted by: Falcon39
Depends what field you are going into. I intend to pursue a career in science, where a degree is absolutely necessary.

Right, but I got a couple degrees in science and then realized that the end game wasn't so fun. There's a difference between being fascinated by science and wanting to work in a lab doing data reduction all day long, writing grant proposals, or working in a factory having the techs do your bidding. They never explain that to you when you're 17 or a freshman.

It's only necessary if you have a clear career objective. Just saying you want to be an engineer or a physicist is a waste of time. The problem is that it's really hard to know ahead of time exactly what you're going to be doing or at least getting a rough sense. For me it was at least.

 

[Arschloch]

Originally posted by: astrocase
It's only necessary if you have a clear career objective.

Again, this assumes that your only interest in college is to further your career. That's perfectly fine, but not everyone cares only about that.

 

[astrocase]

Fair enough. I would agree with that. I love learning. How many years though is appropriate to just be in college for the sake of it? I personally think you can learn a lot more by getting a good book and reading it while travelling the world. A frat party can't touch Rio de Janeiro Carnival and I can learn more about Art History during a one week trip to Europe than I can in a whole semester class.

 

[The Batt?sai]

Originally posted by: TechHead87
Because honestly...I do. The end result is financial security, which can be obtained without spending $50,000+ on a piece of paper that MIGHT get you further in life than someone without it.

I also think that most people go for all the wrong reasons. A lot of the college grads that I know personally have no idea what they're gonna do in the upcoming months, because their degrees are in fields that they really dont care about. They went to college "to get a degree to get a job in a field to make a lot of money".

Me, on the other hand, found a decent job through networking with local businesspeople. I dropped out of college due to this job, and now has 3 years of experience that my ex-college classmates dont have. Now, this is not to say that they wont have good enjoyable jobs in the future...i realize that they are probably going to be making more $ than me 10 years from now (if I dont go back to college).

I just feel that college is way too force-fed these days. More money for our oh-so-needy government IMO.

thumbs up all around :thumbsup:

 

[aswedc]

Well, first of all, college is necessary because the level of achievement in high school is so poor.

Sure, many jobs done by college graduates could easily be done by intelligent and motivated high school students. But, as an employer, there is no way to measure that aptitude without college! In the US, it is so simple to get a high GPA and receive a high school diploma. And anyone can come in and interview well. But who wants to spend thousands to bring in and train someone who might show up late every day or quit in two weeks? College proves the same thing experience does for mid career workers.

One solution would be a more advanced and difficult high school curriculum. But I think the college system is fine the way it is. You can get a four year degree working about eight hours a day for one year - and all under 15k. I should know, I did it. For people who are motivated the current education system allows for alternatives while still getting the all important bachelors degree. It's not that unreasonable to expect people to complete a 13th grade before entering the skilled workforce.

So who is really at fault for students spending four years and 50k without direction? Not the education system. Not employers. Blame it on the parents and kids.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

College isn't right for some people. There are artists, builders, drivers, and others who just don't have the goal of sitting down and reading for hours a day for four years.

I am of the opinion that for most people, college does open doors. But that doesn't mean it is *right* for everyone (or even most people).

I think one reason parents push kids to get a college degree at 17-18 is because it can be a lot harder to go back at 21 or 25 and say OK now I want a degree. Truth is, most people only have one or two chances to get a degree, and at least one of those chances is right when you get out of HS. So if you are interested in any of the doors college opens, it does make a lot of sense to get it over with.

Also, unless you HATE studying, college can be a lot of fun (and it is much more than studying too).

 

[dfi]

I am under the impression that most college bound kids have no idea what they want to do, which makes it difficult to answer why they're going to a specific college, or why they're going to college at all. Vague notions of a better future/job seems to be a popular fallback for both college bound students and the counselors that advise them. It's no wonder to me why some many people never work in the field they majored in.

 

[misle]

College isn't for everyone and a lot of people can make a lot of money without spending the $50k on school.

For example, I work for a Utility company as an Engineer (BSEE). I make about $50k per year and we have a lineman who is 1 year older than me and he pulls over $100k with overtime. He didn't go thru school, he got an apprenticeship and worked hard.

 

[PingSpike]

It is sort of shoved down your throat, I'll agree. I think its a wise decision these days, since a high school diploma won't get your anywhere most of the time. However, its billed as this 'solution'. You just go to college, do well and you'll make plenty of money. Maybe that was somewhat true in the past...but it just doesn't mean a hell of a lot anymore. You aren't handed a good job just because you graduated college.

Some of the richest people dropped out of college though. Lets face it, I didn't exactly learn a whole lot of sh|t I put to daily use while I was there. Most of its fun for conversation and thats about it.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: aswedc
Well, first of all, college is necessary because the level of achievement in high school is so poor.

Sure, many jobs done by college graduates could easily be done by intelligent and motivated high school students. But, as an employer, there is no way to measure that aptitude without college! In the US, it is so simple to get a high GPA and receive a high school diploma. And anyone can come in and interview well. But who wants to spend thousands to bring in and train someone who might show up late every day or quit in two weeks? College proves the same thing experience does for mid career workers.

One solution would be a more advanced and difficult high school curriculum. But I think the college system is fine the way it is. You can get a four year degree working about eight hours a day for one year - and all under 15k. I should know, I did it. For people who are motivated the current education system allows for alternatives while still getting the all important bachelors degree. It's not that unreasonable to expect people to complete a 13th grade before entering the skilled workforce.

So who is really at fault for students spending four years and 50k without direction? Not the education system. Not employers. Blame it on the parents and kids.

I agree that the primary reason people need a college degree is that the high schools generally do a lousy job. IMHO high schools could have taught what people go to college to learn (in many fields, not all). I serve on an advisory committee for a city school system in their Vocational Education area, and believe me, their grads aren't ready for a real job because the requirements have been dumbed down so far, they get a diploma while having a middle school education.

We have our meetings at different high schools, and in one school they had posters up of the various coins in use, showing that two dimes and a nickel is equal to a quarter, etc. In a high school! I was stunned, but one teacher told me those posters are there because the kids need to know that stuff. I agree, but perhaps 4th grade would have been the right time to learn that.

 

[JDrake]

no

 

[IMaN00BieGF]

Where I grew up everyone goes to college. Studies that have been done show that people that go to college tend to earn more money, but also need a couple of more years before there ready for the real world. Even though I've had a job since I was 16 compared to some of my friends that have had 1 job and are in there second year of college, I still don't quite feel ready for the real world yet.