Thoughts on a college degree??

Discussion in 'Higher Ed' started by wild flowers, Dec 9, 2013.

  1. Logan 5

    Logan 5 Confessed gynephile Lifetime Supporter

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    times have changed. 20 years ago work was coming to me. Now, no degree means no work. Damn, that sucks. But in that field there has been so much advancement in technology, its not funny.
     
  2. soulcompromise

    soulcompromise Member HipForums Supporter

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    That's interesting... I'm actually taking cultural anthropology after having recently taken sociology. I think psychology might be more interesting having these disciplines as a cognitive foundation.
     
  3. jpdonleavy

    jpdonleavy Members

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    A degree is never useless. That's one of the prime misconceptions of our age. Four years of university makes one much more supple in finding and using information, expands one's vocabulary, improves one's socialisation in the world of adults, including making contacts that may last a lifetime and be useful career-wise as well. University is also a great place to lose one's virginity and try different sexual strokes. If you're intellectually curious, university is the place to be. If you just want to buy a great pick-up truck and be a framer that's great too - you wouldn't have liked it.

    A lot of the advantages of a university degree are subtle and you may not even be aware that you have them.

    A degree may also change the way savvy people consider you and will greatly expand the pool of eligible females you'll hang out with and possibly court and marry or just live with.

    For many people a degree can mean a subtle upgrade of social class - just that little tad. You'll also be eligible for a commission in the army navy air force marines coast guard etc., if you have a few OLQs

    The list just goes on and on.

    A lot of critics of a university education don;t have the intellect to hack the program or missed out for a variety of reasons and can't see going back in adulthood.

    People who value people with a degree (generally for employment reasons) don;t give a tinker's how they got it, either

    Go ask people in the Rust Belt how many non-degree jobs they have in their town.

    However, there are always jobs for doctors, lawyers, accountants and the State Farm underwriter (who may not necessarily be degreed but will likely have training beyond high school

    The list goes on.
     
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  4. Logan 5

    Logan 5 Confessed gynephile Lifetime Supporter

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    The ability to learn, unlearn and relearn.
     
    scratcho likes this.
  5. Eric!

    Eric! Lifetime Supporter Lifetime Supporter

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    It certainly can't hurt if you do have it. As the saying goes "Better to have and not need, than to need and not have". It's always an added bonus to have the additional credentials when applying for any job. But everything is so damn tricky these days- if you have too much education, they won't hire you because you require a higher salary and considered overqualified. Just like credit scores, it's tricky.
     
  6. themnax

    themnax Senior Member

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    they're not magic wands or holy grails. totally depends on specifics of your own inclinations and priorities.
    there's absolutely no one size fits all answer. and little green pieces of paper aren't one either.

    i think classes in things you're interested in and want to learn more about are a good idea if you have the time and resources to pursue them.

    i really think that's the way higher education should be, a personal individual buffet.

    and NOT like you should go straight into it from high school, nor have to commit to it for x many years continuous either.
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2018
  7. Noserider

    Noserider Goofy-Footed Member

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    Degrees are magical pieces of paper one must have these days in order to get a job.

    But you're dreaming if you think they're enough to make you keep your job. That one's on you.
     
  8. candys

    candys Visitor

    Personally I think that higher education is important 'coz it affects future career possibilities. A lot of jobs require at least a high school diploma. As for me, I want to get MBA Degree in the next few years.I'm sure it'll help me to make a successful career. I've already found info about Business school admission and I'm going to apply to IE Business School this year. Hope I'll pass all tests.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 31, 2018
  9. scratcho

    scratcho Lifetime Supporter Lifetime Supporter

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    Education just FOR the education cannot hurt one. Aside from jobs , I believe it would facilitate the ability to critically think through issues. If MOST EVERYONE was educated and used their college educations to think things through---Trump would NOT be president. Getting in debt for thousands of bucks to get it though is hard on people. Hello Bernie!!
     
  10. Noserider

    Noserider Goofy-Footed Member

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    I agree with this. I had a college professor who told us on day one that college is not a degree factory. We were there to learn critical thinking skills and how to further educate ourselves.

    And he was right.
     
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  11. NotMyRealName

    NotMyRealName Members

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    Degrees are overrated. As this country is finally learning, we put so much emphasis on a 4 year university degree, even if its a useless one, that we have discounted that there are very good livings made in hands on trades. We now have a shortage of people that we need to get things done in this country. We now are short, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc.

    Further, we have scores of people with useless degrees, looking for work that isn't in their degree field, shouldered now with school debt to add to their base salary expectations. It isn't working out to well.

    I got a degree in business because I was point blank told I won't get promoted into middle or upper management without one. So I got one. It resulted in about a 15% increase in pay over 5 or so years.

    I wasn't really any smarter or more capable, but the company got to make their statistics. That company no longer exist. I got hired in my current position, based upon my skill set and track record of success. No one has asked for nor even cared to see any evidence of a degree. I happily hire non degreed people. They can make 70K a year. If they had a degree, they would not make any more.

    I get kids applying for jobs with new masters degrees. They think that right off the bat, that makes them worth 120K a year minimum. They get to move on to the next interview very quickly.

    Free education will simply mean there is no added value to a degree because everyone will have the same investment in them and get the same education. Then the new standard will be, in order to be more employable we need to have a higher degree. We don't need 300 master degrees applying for a job in the mail room.

    If I need an IT person, then you start getting into a specific area. Then at these times, a specific degree may matter. And if I can find one without a degree that can do the job, I give them priority consideration. I don't have to pay for the English Lit and History of Art, that we have been told we are to give value to.

    If you got a degree in basket weaving, and you can't find a job in basket weaving, you have no value to bring because you also had to learn about Art History and English Lit. You get the same consideration as someone with no degree.
     
  12. I'minmyunderwear

    I'minmyunderwear Newbie

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    that is the idea, and the good professors do teach that way. but ultimately it is a degree factory. if you do it right and actually work to get something out of it, you will learn critical thinking skills and how to further educate yourself. but if you don't give a fuck and just pay your tuition every year, you'll still get a degree because you're still contributing to the college president's salary.
     
  13. Noserider

    Noserider Goofy-Footed Member

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    You still have to pass classes to get a degree. It's not something you buy; you still have to earn it.

    It just doesn't mean as much in the real world as a lot of students are taught to believe. It's not a magic carpet to take you to the big bucks. It's a foot in the door to get you in a position to bust your ass to earn...decent bucks.
     
  14. soulcompromise

    soulcompromise Member HipForums Supporter

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    Check your career angle, then apply yourself to a major. Don't start your major until you've researched the job outlook for that profession. www.bls.gov
     
  15. I'minmyunderwear

    I'minmyunderwear Newbie

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    yeah, but they make it so easy to pass the classes. like i said before, you can take it seriously and actually get something out of it, but you can also show up half the time and turn in some assignments and you'll still get your passing grade.
     
  16. I'minmyunderwear

    I'minmyunderwear Newbie

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    as long as there's some money in that career. people forget to mention that when they tell kids to follow their passions in their career.
     
  17. I'minmyunderwear

    I'minmyunderwear Newbie

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    i wasn't referring to your career, just in general.
     
  18. quark

    quark Parts Unknown

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    Willing to bet you haven’t graduated yet. :relaxed:

    Edit: I don’t mean that personally. Ah, you’ll see...
     
  19. quark

    quark Parts Unknown

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    Nice.
     
  20. I'minmyunderwear

    I'minmyunderwear Newbie

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    yes, and pick and industry to work in that pays a decent wage, like i said in the first place. feels like we're going in circles a bit here.
     
  21. unfocusedanakin

    unfocusedanakin The Archaic Revival Lifetime Supporter

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    It depends on the job. With student loans what they are you really need to ask if your career needs it. Many careers do require it though. It's about your education and you are showing you commit to things. The world is very different then it was a few decades ago when if you had a high school diploma you can get promotions and support a family of 5. College is definitely worth it if you pick the right major.
     

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