What's so important about getting a college degree?

Many college graduates end up with average retail jobs and many brilliant and successful people never graduated from college. Why is it such a huge deal whether or not you get a degree?

I just don't understand why people make such a huge freaking deal about it, especially the older folks. Why is it such a huge deal to people and why is it becoming such an automatic expectation for students once they graduate high school?

 

because without a college degree you're guaranteed to wait tables, do manual labor, or work those shitty retail jobs the rest of your life.

with a college degree, you at least have a slightly better chance to find a job doing something you enjoy.

We're living in pretty shitty economic times and a college degree isn't worth what it once was, but an education is still the best thing you can ever do for yourself.

 

I very much appreciate your opinion and advice but not everyone learns best in the classroom setting and I know perfectly happy people who never attended/finished college.

 

just work at mcdonalds dude its cool

 

I currently work at a health food store but thanks anyway man

 

I do too. I never finished college and I'm happy as hell, but I also hate my job. With a degree I would be able to get into a field that actually means something to me.

I wasn't saying everyone needs to go to college in order to find happiness. Just saying, not everyone is going to be happy working menial jobs and getting a formal education gives you a better chance to get into a career that means something.

I know plenty of people that find meaningful work without an education too. It really depends on the individual and finding out what makes you happy.

 

You earn a college degree you live until you die and you have to work.
You didn't earn a degree? Nevermind. You end up needing a job anyway and you'll still die.

 

Very true. Reminds me of the lyrics to one of my all time favorite songs; "Peace of Mind" by Boston:

"Now you're climbing to the top of the company ladder,
Hope it doesn't take too long.
Can't you see there'll come a day when it won't matter,
Come a day when you'll be gone.

I understand about indecision,
But I don't care if I get behind.
People living in competition;
All I want is to have my peace of mind."

 

I can 'get around' better in society, that's all. It gave me a well rounded perspective on everything. It has opened a few doors for me. I make a pretty good living.

However, my brother-in-law, which I don't even think he finished high school, has his own garage where it appears he's making money hand over fist. He owns everything, 3 houses, a motorhome, boat, water skis, 4 wheelers, 3 race cars he and his son and daughter race every weekend, guns you name it, he has it. At any given time he can pull out not 1 but 2 wallets full of cash.

I'm happy for him but it sometimes just doesn't seem life is fair. lol

 

As with anything you buy, you need to consider the value of what you are getting in order to not get ripped off.

Many college grads are either getting jobs that don't require degrees, or are not getting jobs at all. In addition, many have school loans that will take decades to pay off.

Many students have bad or traumatic experiences at their schools, and would be better off if they hadn't gone to college at all.

If you know that you want a job that doesn't require a degree, then maybe it's better not to go to college. You can also work for a while and decide whether or not you want to go to college.

If you do decide to go to college, you might want to consider going to a state school, or going to a community college and then transferring credit. You could also go to a school outside of the us.

I recommend that you be very skeptical of college guide books. Maybe talk to someone who has graduated from the school you are considering within the last five years.