Hi Facepunch. I've been really wondering if it's worth it to go to college. So many people are talking about their degrees being useless and they are stuck in debt forever, and the learning material seems just about as crummy as it is in high school. Is it worth it to go to college? What are your opinions.
It really depends on your major. My sister got into UC Irvine in Political Science and now can't make up her loan payments and is 40k in debt. I am going to UCSD in Pre-Med and got a lower interest rate due to the fact that science majors have a much much higher rate of paying back loans. In short, Only go to college for science or math.
It depends on what majors you take, and what decisions you make.
Some employers tend to value work experience and actually knowing how to get things done more than a piece of paper from some institution. Then again, if you want to become a doctor, lawyer, or be in any science field, having a college degree is pretty much mandatory.
Despite the initial crippling debt, having a college degree increases the chances of getting a nice, secure job that pays a decent wage. Though, you can always just do whatever you enjoy and find a nice, simple job that pays the bills.
Yeah the Tech Schools and Community Colleges, seem to be pretty much just an extension of highschool, I wouldnt reccomend them. You pay the school before you sit in the room, they dont give a shit if you pass or fail, they have their money already, all the professors do is give you the work and the info in their own way. If it doesnt make sense, dont ask them ask a tutor or aide. I find it kind of backwards. I have no personal experience of the four year colleges or universities though. My girlfriend liked it alot, she will be in debt till she is fourty at least.
Depends on what you want to do as a career. If you don't mind just learning a basic skill and going to work to make ends meet then it's not necessary at all but if you have high aspirations as far as careers go, it's a good idea if you can afford it.
If you have career aspirations beyond just paying the bills every month, your going to need something beyond a high school degree, so yes, if you can afford it college is good idea.
It saddens me to see other people pay for education.
It's all free here in Estonia and the Baltics and Scandinavia.
I'm asking myself the same thing.
I'm in community college right now just doing my prerequisites, because it's a lot cheaper and since i don't really know what i want to do. It all seems rather pointless so far, I'm three terms in and haven't learned much of anything. I guess what kinda sucks about a community college is that most of my classes have been full of people in their mid to upper 20's, so I feel like a bit of a black sheep and haven't been able to meet anyone interesting.
If you really know what you want to do, then yes college is a good investment. If not, you should probably just work for a few years until you can get a good career choice in mind.
Well if it's anything like it is over here in the UK, going to college/university will be VERY beneficial in the long run. Not only do you get a B/Sc or a B/A, but it's the experience of it all you come out with at the end too.
However, what I really meant by that opening line is that within the next 10 or 15 years, everyone will have a degree in something or other as the standard of education is constantly improving. Meaning if you have a degree now, you'll get a job without issues. However, if you don't have a degree and you apply for something later on down the line, you'll be less of an 'ideal candidate' for prospective employers and there will be far more competition. In theory, of course.
It's small, but heres a chart (I don't know how accurate it is)
[img]http://media.kval.com/images/100215jobs_chart.jpg[/img]
[QUOTE=pdp;32124055]Hi Facepunch. I've been really wondering if it's worth it to go to college. So many people are talking about their degrees being useless and they are stuck in debt forever, and the learning material seems just about as crummy as it is in high school. Is it worth it to go to college? What are your opinions.[/QUOTE]
you could always justget certifications if you want hands on mechanical labor
I don't know how the system works in the US, but if you want to do things like trade skills, with the option of becoming academically qualified later, apprenticeships are pretty good - you get work and get official qualifications at the same time. The US might have other vocational qualifications as well.
Also, since the US is currently suffering a severe lack of jobs, if you're out of work you might was well look at getting better qualifications - it'll help your job prospects both long and sort term.
I feel sorry for you guys over in the U.S who actually have to take money into account. Here we get money while going to University and so forth.
Get a degree in something that's recession/depression proof. Medics and engineers will always be in demand. Lawyers and fashion designers will not.
Also, don't worry about the debt. If you get a job that pays 60k a year, then you should be able to pay off most or all of your debt in one year. A person only needs about 10k per year to pay bills and live.
Yes you should go, it's not all about the learning. It's about getting out into the world, you meet so many people and do so many things.
My method:
1) Live in California
2) Have a father who served in the military.
3) Have him get a disability, as part of his service (from something as big as losing a leg, to something as small as back problems)
4) Become his dependant.
5) Have California Veteran's Affairs pay for your entire tuition and all your classes.
I don't know how that stuff works in other states, but that's how it is here.
Live in europe
dont have to pay for college
profit
God, it would be so great to not have to pay for college.
[QUOTE=Sergeant STFU;32139698]God, it would be so great to not have to pay for college.[/QUOTE]
Thing is, the places where it's free, you have to get through rather rigorous exams. And if you can't, you'll either have to go somewhere else than where you'd like, or pay even more.
Or you can always bribe your way in, which is cheaper in longer time.
In all reality it depends on the job market. Major in something with job openings, you should be good. But other times, you major in something and just can't get a job in it. My school's lunch lady has a degree in radiology.
It depends on what you want to do, in all honesty.
I've learned that college is simply just not for some people.
On US you have to pay for college?
Danmit.
It [I]really[/I] depends on what you get a degree in. If you get a BS in Engineering, you're going to make your debt back pretty quickly, but a BA in oil painting probably won't be worth it.
Why not answer in the form of a song? :v:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t69UYgeFDvY[/media]
Just starting. About my first week through.
I really don't know what I want to do and I'll be taking classes that can help me get a feel on what it is I like and what I don't like and making a decision about that. But I just want to do what I love. I don't want a degree in a field that I hate just because it pays a lot.
College pays off if you get a useful degree, don't get a degree in a subject that has a bad job market. Also if you work hard in high school you can get grants and scholarships to pay for 99% of the cost
As pretty much everyone else has said, it depends on your degree. Majoring in Art History isn't going to be as beneficial as majoring in Engineering.
Engineers have stayed consistently in-demand, even throughout the economic crisis. Law and medicine are tougher to get into. Art, History, English, and Political majors aren't worth the time and cost.
After working shitty hours for bare minimum wage in a hot pizza shop every day from 5 to 11 I can tell you I am determined to not have to work another shitty job like this.
Go to college, you don't have to spend a shit ton in order to get what you want. I'm lucky enough that my parents set up a rather large college fund for me, so my first 3-4 years are more or less, paid in full. I'll just need to pick up the tab on the very last year or so.
Even community college is great, but don't do nothing, whatever you do. A good field is the medical field. We always need nurses, doctors, pediatricians ect.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.