this post was submitted on 07 Sep 2023
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Going to University means you have a chance at a good paying job. Depending on the job, likely a better chance then someone who didnt go. I make decent money and did not go, however I am incredibly lucky and am not betting on that for any children i have. Trades or University/College is a must.
That being said, how about the Government reduces the cost of post-secondary education, instead of allowing banks to earn off billions of school loans each year. Here, they do reduce it for citizens, however not nearly enough. Additionally, many graduates end up moving to other countries because the pay is lower here.
I'm not from the US, I think I've heard that banks are obligated to give those loans with some characteristics?
It's going to cost much less if getting a student loan becomes much harder, because universities still need people paying.
If anybody can get a loan, the cost becomes inflated.
Just a thought.
The costs HAVE become I flatbed, because everyone can get a loan for a degree, and schools keep raising tuition.
Well, then the solution is abolishing the law making these loans so easy. It will make things easier for students themselves (only after a transient process, though, which itself is going to be hard - but that can be softened by, say, abolishing it gradually, for different categories of students).
Ok, it's true college isn't what it used to be.
A college degree used to be rare, meaning you could get any degree and do any job.
Obviously, it's not like that anymore. Everyone has a degree. You need to get a degree that means something.
If you have rich parents that will support you, great, you can fuck around and graduate after 8 years with an English degree, and you'll be alright.
If your parents aren't rich and can't support you indefinitely, you need a degree in something that is hiring or will be hiring when you graduate. Preferably, with a large paycheck, so paying back the loans is reasonable.
Or, ya know, just don't go to college. Learn to weld or install sattelite dishes, or even better, be a general contractor. You can make a goddamn fortune as a general contractor.
Or, do what Mark Twain did, and mary into wealth. Love is fake anyway!
But, ya know, being 18 and impressionable to romantic ideas, it's tempting to think you don't have to follow this guidance and get an art degree and you'll be fine. Don't fall into that. Be smart.
being 18 and impressionable to romantic ideas, it’s tempting to think you don’t have to follow this guidance and get an art degree and you’ll be fine
The bigger trap IMO is going into a field you aren't passionate about. I have a computer science degree, my program had many students who didn't really like it but were there for the money. While I'm sure some succeeded a lot of people who were just there for the money failed out, or performed so mediocre that they could only get less desirable jobs, which don't pay as well and are also shit working conditions (which since these folks don't like the career means they tend to burn out super quick).
There is a compromise to be had, you need to find something that you at least mostly find enjoyable, but has a viable career to go into, their are plenty of arts careers out there that pay alright, and if you specialize into them early instead of pursuing eye in the sky careers then you'll find yourself ahead of the pack. Of course you must also look outside school to see what these careers value (paid coops are a great opportunity if your school has them) I have a few friends with social work degrees who are doing pretty good for instance.
That said, Tuition is somewhat subsidized where I am (my tuition was 15K USD a year and one of the more expensive schools and programs, an arts degree would be more like 10K USD) so YMMV compared with the USA where I hear tuition can commonly be well over 100K a year.
The bigger trap IMO is going into a field you aren't passionate about.
I went to an art school for a degree in audio engineering and I encountered seniors in their final year who had no idea what the fuck they were doing because they didn't seek out any opportunities outside of classes. I interned at a recording studio for about two years while I was in school and that prepared me better than any class I took. This is an industry where you need to be passionate about what you're doing because work is rare in the beginning and the pay is pretty shit. There were several kids in my advanced practicums who didn't even know how to properly wrap cables or mount microphones onto stands. I couldn't help but think to myself "why the fuck are you even here". You really have to go out of your way and fight for every opportunity you can get in this industry. I'm fortunate to be able to make a living in it but somehow some of the people I graduated with came out with less knowledge than what I learned in my freshman year.
It just baffles me that people get degrees in these highly competitive industries without any sort of drive to actually make a career. Interesting to hear that this happens in STEM fields as well.
That's the thing, some people aren't smart enough to study. Or better said: some people never received the right guidance to know what they're good at.
Agreed.
Your wrong little Billy. It can help in getting you a we'll paying job, it it depends on both your degree and perception.
Did you use your time at university to network and make lasting connections with people who will likely be more successful than you? Because that practically guarantees a job. If you kept your head down and did nothing of note except get a diploma, you wasted your time.
The big difference is the type of job you can get.
If you want to work retail you can make decent money, but you are standing all day, dealing with entitled people and work hours that make it difficult to have a life. If you want a 9-5 better get a degree.
What did you spend your money on?
A degree focusing on intensive career training in a field that is highly demanded, and networking,...
or a "life experience" and a degree in underwater basket weaving?
I mean I get why people like being edgy about this, but the statistics don't lie. A bachelor's degree on average increases weekly pay by about 50% over an associate degree or trade/apprenticeship. You can absolutely make a good living without a degree, but they are definitely worth the cost for most people.
That's so Raven!
Look if going to college didn't cost four years of time with 20K per year, where in my career you'd be near to outdated (tech), I'd go.
But for tech I feel like its almost a scam. I'd rather have the certs and/or practical knowledge or be able to go through an interview via algorithms, soft skills, explaining how to go through what I know. Its harder work to learn this way but I think it keeps your skills sharper.
My experience is that the college foundation I got over 20 years ago is still incredibly useful as a developer, architect, and manager.
That said, the thing you need to learn the most is how to constantly keep up with the changes in technology, and my college at least did an ok job at that.
Did a shit job helping me get my first job, though.