College education, the future, and your suggestions

**RedMacGregor** · 07-04-10, 01:17 AM

college education... i ditched college.. a few patents later, and nobody even asks anymore.

**texasmade** · 07-04-10, 02:45 AM

international affairs.

**RedMacGregor** · 07-04-10, 03:16 AM

totally.. you wanna do college? go to europe... all the degree in half the time.

**texasmade** · 07-04-10, 03:23 AM

Originally posted by RedMacGregor

totally.. you wanna do college? go to europe... all the degree in half the time.

the education system over there makes ours look like sh*t

**wa3zrm** · 07-04-10, 03:34 AM

Rather than looking for a school, you should be looking for a company that will pay for your education while you work for them. If you want to go the virtual route, make sure it is at a school that has real bricks and mortar... HR people will laugh if you put some school on your resume that exists only in cyberspace.

Community colleges are the cheapest route for the first two years; however, make sure your degree will transfer to the school where you plan to get your four year degree from.

Specialized IT positions are still hot; however, they require very specialized training.

Check out this link http://www.bls.gov/OCO/ for more info on jobs and their potential for future growth.

**RedMacGregor** · 07-04-10, 03:36 AM

honestly... i don't even ask if people have degrees anymore.... and the more someone rubs their degree in my face, the less likely i am to hire them.

do a great job, love your job, love what you do and be proud of it, live it, sleep it, eat it.. then i'll hire you with or without a degree..

otherwise, don't waste my time.. too many people got into this profession with a degree because they thought it would be a fat paycheck, and they're worthless because that's why they're here.

**wa3zrm** · 07-04-10, 03:41 AM

Originally posted by texasmade

Originally posted by RedMacGregor

totally.. you wanna do college? go to europe... all the degree in half the time.

the education system over there makes ours look like sh*t

Not to be a smart ass... but I worked in US Higher Education for over 25 years. If higher ed is so good over there... why do so many of them come over here for there education?

I've taught many foreign students during my tenure... and they all told me the same thing... a US Degree is worth 10 times the value of most foreign degrees.

**RedMacGregor** · 07-04-10, 03:47 AM

Originally posted by wa3zrm

Originally posted by texasmade

Originally posted by RedMacGregor

totally.. you wanna do college? go to europe... all the degree in half the time.

the education system over there makes ours look like sh*t

Not to be a smart ass... but I worked in US Higher Education for over 25 years. If higher ed is so good over there... why do so many of them come over here for there education?

I've taught many foreign students during my tenure... and they all told me the same thing... a US Degree is worth 10 times the value of most foreign degrees.

india doesn't count... ever heard of a little place called Oxford? 2 year degree there is worth a 4 year degree here.

**sgreger1** · 07-04-10, 04:38 AM

thanks wazrm. i have my gi bill and my co pays 50 percent of schooling cost. just wanted to know what route towards an education would be best.

**tom502** · 07-04-10, 02:48 PM

I had a negative experience with a trade school, it was like their sole intention was to rip me off. It was a nightmare, and when I tried to switch to another school, with was a part of the same school, they didn't let me, and I ended up with debt collectors calling, and a bunch of debt. I personally cannot recommend "higher" education, unless you live in China or something. They seem like scams to me. Also, be 100% sure you can juggle school, a job, and home life.

**RobsanX** · 07-04-10, 03:42 PM

You could go to night school. That's what I did. You would have to weigh your course load vs. how long you want to take. Start off at an accredited community college that you can transfer credits to a 4 year school. Find one that specializes in day and night courses. Talk to an adviser there. They are usually very helpful. You don't have to figure out everything right away if you are part time.

That's the path I took, and it's worked well for me.

**truthwolf1** · 07-04-10, 05:04 PM

Re: College education, the future, and your suggestions

Originally posted by sgreger1

I am leaning towards getting a degree in business because it's what I feel I am naturally good at and where I would like to work, in a management position, but truthfully I don't know what I "want to be when I grow up". Does anyone have any advice on a good career?

Thanks guys.

With your debating skills on this forum I would seriously suggest you look into a political position. Start with something small like City Council which actually pays surprisingly good in some areas. With your military background you already have a nice in.

**f. bandersnatch** · 07-04-10, 06:30 PM

You have your GI bill, and your company wants to help pay for school? Yeah, you should go. Even if its only one class, you should go. See if it works for you, and then add on once you have an idea how things with work/school/home mesh. If you don't take advantage of an opportunity like that, you will just end up kicking yourself down the line.

I don't really know about where you should go though, I went the four year route, and that probably isn't the best way to go about it for some...I know that a liberal arts education can be invaluable, or valueless, depending on how you go about getting it. Trade school never appealed to me in the least, as I already have a trade.

And as for all the "I didn't go to school, and I'm fine" comments: come on, guys, is that really necessary? I am happy that you are doing fine, thriving, even, but I am sure you are well aware of the benefits of a college education for the majority of people, especially for a man like sgreger, who is obviously intelligent and capable, but who is working for less than he thinks he is worth with little opportunity for advancement in his current position.

**sgreger1** · 07-04-10, 07:08 PM

Thanks for all the help guys! And Bsnatch, your right about the fact that it's basically free to go, so why not give it a try. Ill probably just do night classes at a community college until I am sure what I want to major in, that way I can transfer whenever. My wife will be working in another few months so if necessary i've contemplated quitting and going to school full time, I just would hate to give up a good job in the middle of a recession.

I know there are a lot of successful people who never got an education, and frankly for my GED I make way better money than I should, but that's because i've worked really hard and gone way over and above what my job title entails. Im just suffering from the "I don't know what I want to be when I grow up" syndrome, and even if I went to school full time, for 4 years, i'm still not guaranteed to be making a whole lot more than I do now.

I thought about joining the police force, they pay about 65k starting here and i'm eligible. Hey, I could even get a concealed carry license in CA if I went that route! lol.

Im starting to think trade school is not the way to go, too many people have told me exactly the same story as Tom, that it's just them trying to get your money.

And politics? Lol no one would vote for me, especially in CA lolol, plus if someone wanted to dig up dirt on my past it would be too easy.

College education, the future, and your suggestions

College education, the future, and your suggestions

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