College degree or not?

[eliza61]

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On to the flame-proof part. Our country is falling behind in education very quickly and we need to educate our country if we are to compete in this global economy. We need to help our children value education much like the way the Chinese and Indian do. They are filling all the high paying jobs!! Most people will meet their future spouse in college so both might likely earn a credential. They value education and will promote it with their children. I'm not sure if you could compare that equally to a family whose parents have not attained a college degree. This attainment divide is a problem for our country.

No flames here,

I'll go one step further. Like I said, I work in the Chemical/biotech industry. Very well paying. lab tecnicians start at 60K (4 year science degree), the PHD chemist start at 150K decent benefits (not spectacular but decent) 401K etc etc.
Now like most major companies, we have a diversity program in place to try and encourage minority hiring. forget minority, we have a tough time finding AMERICANS. Seriously, we network on some major colleges MIT, all the ivies, California and the number of Asians vs. American grad students in the science and technology field is scary.

We had a symposium and the founders of google, Larry Page and Sergy (cant remember his last name) gave a wonderful talk and they too emphasised the fact that they are hard pressed to find qualified Americans to work the upper level technology jobs.

I feel we are definitely falling more and more behind. I know lots and lots of us worry about the national deficiet, but maybe because I'm in industry and education, I worry much more about this. i seriously think it 20 years all our kids will have the education for is to work low wage service industry jobs.

 

[LovableGluttons]

Please, start with your kids young. Groom them to understand that education does not end at high school.

The minimum should be a Bachelor's degree.


Love and trust in your partner to provide for you is a beautiful, romantic notion.

People die and fall out of love everyday.

Being prepared to support yourself and your children is the key.

I am thankful everyday that I went to college.

 

[emma'smom]

I think anyone who thinks all you get out of college is a few letters after your name probably wasn't successful at it.
.

This!

I think those who see college as a glorified trade school are truly missing the point of what it means to be an educated person. It less about "skills" and more about developing habits of the mind, cultural capital and 21st century skills.

The bottom line is most jobs that exist today will look so different in 20 years that seeing college as a place to learn concrete job skills is pointless.

What good colleges do is educate the whole-person on how to see the world and their place in it differently. IMO, a college experience changes a student's world view and personal identity in intangible ways that have an impact on the way of life forever.

I am someone who took a lot of loans for graduate school. I went to a top school and have pleased with my education. Of course it would be nice NOT to have student loans, but I don't regret taking them. They were an investment in my future.

 

[mhsjax]

I don't have a college degree, have a very good paying job, but I'm in my early 50s. I did attend college, but my Dad got laid off from his job, so I came home and went to work. It was a different time when I went to work. If one does not have a college degree, it's hard to find a good paying job. It's hard to find one even with a degree.

My daughter has a degree in technical theater. She became pregnant a few months after graduating and was unable to fulfill the position she had been given in the Los Angeles area. It's pretty difficult to climb ladders and walk around catwalks in a theater when you're 7 months pregnant.

Anyhow, a week after my granddaughter was born, she drove herself to Oklahoma City, tested to become an Air Traffic Controller and now that his her job. She will make a lot more as an ATC than she could ever make with in a theater job.

But without that degree, she could not even take the test. It is a requirement -- have a degree or make a lateral move from the military to become an ATC.

My point is -- one never knows what life has in store for them. Being a SAHM could be a great thing for some. But marriages don't always last or sometimes people die. But a college degree is forever.

So one should never feel a college degree is a waste of time or money. It definitely is not.

My DH just retired from being an ATC. Good luck to you r DD with her career. I t is extremely stressful, but yes the money is very good. I never had to work and got to stay home with my kids. Even know he has retired very early, he still makes enough to support us.

When DH went through, you didn't need a college degree. Some did and some didn't. that job is one of those that either you can do it or you can't. They had people with Master's degrees out their that just couldn't think the way they need to in order to do the job, yet DH never finished college and was incredible ATC.

PS Not down playing a college degree at all, in fact I am going back next year. ATC just happens to be one of those jobs where a degree is now a requirement, but not needed to learn or do the job.

 

[bluesaturn]

Your kids are not young forever and you never know what the future holds. My sister did not get a degree, got married, had kids, stayed home, lived a country club life, kids got out of high school, stayed in an abusive marriage for 24years because she didn't have an education and didn't feel she could support herself, got divorced last year and struggled to find a job, and in the process her husband (an alcoholic) lost everything and now she may not even get her spousal support.

So no I feel an education with a degree that will translate to a job is extremely valuable. No psych or anthropology majors in my house. Its not the college experience its planning your future!

Actually you can have a career in psychology. However you have to go on to graduate school, preferably for a PhD. I think most people just want to enjoy how interesting psych classes are, and don't have the dedication to pursue grad school and make it into a career. But it is still very possible to have a good job in psychology.

 

[abolanwoski]

An education is never a waste.

The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. Even if a Mom never works a day after her children are born, she will have valuable intellectual and life experiences that will shape the way she raises her children in a positive fashion. A love of learning for its own sake is a wonderful gift to give - to your kids and yourself.

 

[abolanwoski]

No flames here,

I'll go one step further. Like I said, I work in the Chemical/biotech industry. Very well paying. lab tecnicians start at 60K (4 year science degree), the PHD chemist start at 150K decent benefits (not spectacular but decent) 401K etc etc.
Now like most major companies, we have a diversity program in place to try and encourage minority hiring. forget minority, we have a tough time finding AMERICANS. Seriously, we network on some major colleges MIT, all the ivies, California and the number of Asians vs. American grad students in the science and technology field is scary.

We had a symposium and the founders of google, Larry Page and Sergy (cant remember his last name) gave a wonderful talk and they too emphasised the fact that they are hard pressed to find qualified Americans to work the upper level technology jobs.

I feel we are definitely falling more and more behind. I know lots and lots of us worry about the national deficiet, but maybe because I'm in industry and education, I worry much more about this. i seriously think it 20 years all our kids will have the education for is to work low wage service industry jobs.

Take a look at your doctor as well. We bring hundreds of FMGs (foreign medical graduates) each year into this country to fill residency spots, many stay. They are the best and the brightest of their country and they come here because we are not graduating enough doctors. In the meantime, we are also draining the educational elite from countries that NEED these people to help move them along the developmental timeline. Wonder why third world countries don't have decent medical care? Their doctors are here.

 

[Colleen27]

We had a symposium and the founders of google, Larry Page and Sergy (cant remember his last name) gave a wonderful talk and they too emphasised the fact that they are hard pressed to find qualified Americans to work the upper level technology jobs.

I feel we are definitely falling more and more behind. I know lots and lots of us worry about the national deficiet, but maybe because I'm in industry and education, I worry much more about this. i seriously think it 20 years all our kids will have the education for is to work low wage service industry jobs.

Well yeah, because in 20 years companies will be expecting a bachelors to get that low wage service job. We're well on the way to a bachelor's degree meaning for our children/grandchildren what a high school diploma means for us in the workplace.

Take a look at your doctor as well. We bring hundreds of FMGs (foreign medical graduates) each year into this country to fill residency spots, many stay. They are the best and the brightest of their country and they come here because we are not graduating enough doctors. In the meantime, we are also draining the educational elite from countries that NEED these people to help move them along the developmental timeline. Wonder why third world countries don't have decent medical care? Their doctors are here.

That's partly an economic reality as well, though. Many of the foreign graduates that are dominating our grad schools, residency programs, and entry-level positions in engineering and other hard sciences hail from countries where college education is HEAVILY subsidized. For an American student paying American tuition rates medicine isn't an especially attractive field - between student loans and malpractice insurance, it is a lot more education and hours for very little reward when compared to any number of "easier" professions. If we want to be the best, globally, in educating our students we need to put our money where our collective mouths are because we're not falling behind China and India on the strength of our students - we're just not doing for our best and brightest what those nations do for theirs.

 

[SarahKate]

What a wonderful thread!

To the 31-year-old poster who thinks she is too old to go back to school. So not true! I go to the U of I Springfield and I saw some age statistics and a VERY good chunk of students are over the age of 30 and many are 40+. You're NEVER too old. There was even a 90 year old taking classes there!

I am 38. Got my AA about 12 years ago. Last fall I decided I was going to complete my Bachelors. I am not technically a SAHM - my DD8 is in 3rd grade. But I have my own business and do some contractual teaching which helps me contribute to the household. It's allowed me to be home w/ her on sick days, holidays, summers (the weeks she doesn't go to day camp) and not have to pay for babysitting before/after school every day. It's been wonderful.

I felt like getting my Bachelors would give me an upper hand. I don't totally know exactly what I want to do w/ it yet, but know that either way it's a win-win. My degree will help build my credibility and grow my business, and I can require a higher hourly rate. Or, I may go back to regular full-time employment eventually - at this point, that makes me cringe because I've loved the flexibility or having my own schedule!

And I'm one who IS going into debt w/ student loans. Luckily just for the two years. Definitely not an ideal situation. But it was either that or WAIT for a very long time until I could afford to go - who knows when that would have happened. Having the loans is also going to push me into getting school done as SOON as is possible - part of my loan is accruing interest now. I am going to be paying here and there to help counteract some of that. I want to get in, get it done and move on, and this was a way for me to let that happen. I will also be applying for some scholarships, which will help (at my school, students just aren't applying for them - and I got a 4.0 GPA last semester, so that's a plus for me!). Taking 12 hours each semester, plus classes over the summer. I should be able to graduate sometime in 2012!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Well said.

The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. Even if a Mom never works a day after her children are born, she will have valuable intellectual and life experiences that will shape the way she raises her children in a positive fashion. A love of learning for its own sake is a wonderful gift to give - to your kids and yourself.

 

[poegirl30]

My point is -- one never knows what life has in store for them. Being a SAHM could be a great thing for some. But marriages don't always last or sometimes people die. But a college degree is forever.

So one should never feel a college degree is a waste of time or money. It definitely is not.

Exactly. My first husband died when I was 28, leaving me with two small children. Fortunately, I had gone to college and gotten a degree and my teaching license. I had been teaching for several years at that time, so when my husband died, and I had to go from being the *extra* income to the sole provider for my kids, I was able to. And although I have remarried, I am very thankful for my first husband pushing me to finish my degree and start my teaching career when he did. It made a huge difference for our family.

 

[jmpellet]

At community colleges the average age continues to creep up and I believe it's now 26 so there are many returning adults. At our highly competitive nursing program 99% of the students are returning, yet ultra committed adults.

One wonders if the under education of US citizens will further push us to two classes - the ultra-rich (maybe ex-pats) and the working class??

 

[mhsjax]

I have a question. Do those of you that say what if your spouse or for those of you that have had your spouse pass away, didn't you have life insurance? I mean I know that a college education is never wasted and that at any time you may need to work, but losing a spouse shouldn't put financial strain on you it you plan properly. My DH teases me all the time about how I must love him because I am much better off financially if he is dead.

I think these days it is irresponsible to not go to college and get a degree in something useful, but it is equally irresponsible to not have enough life insurance to get you and your family through many if not all of the financial responsibilities that come with a family.

 

[vicki_c]

I have a question. Do those of you that say what if your spouse or for those of you that have had your spouse pass away, didn't you have life insurance? I mean I know that a college education is never wasted and that at any time you may need to work, but losing a spouse shouldn't put financial strain on you it you plan properly. My DH teases me all the time about how I must love him because I am much better off financially if he is dead.

I think these days it is irresponsible to not go to college and get a degree in something useful, but it is equally irresponsible to not have enough life insurance to get you and your family through many if not all of the financial responsibilities that come with a family.

Do people have enough life insurance to get them through the rest of their lives and support for their children through college? I don't think I know anyone who has a life insurance policy worth that much money (what it would take to continue to run our household and provide for our family until my kids are out on their own, or until the surviving spouse died, assuming a normal life expectancy).

 

[Allison]

Do people have enough life insurance to get them through the rest of their lives and support for their children through college? I don't think I know anyone who has a life insurance policy worth that much money (what it would take to continue to run our household and provide for our family until my kids are out on their own, or until the surviving spouse died, assuming a normal life expectancy).

Just what I was going to say.

 

[Arielle22]

I have a question. Do those of you that say what if your spouse or for those of you that have had your spouse pass away, didn't you have life insurance? I mean I know that a college education is never wasted and that at any time you may need to work, but losing a spouse shouldn't put financial strain on you it you plan properly. My DH teases me all the time about how I must love him because I am much better off financially if he is dead.

I think these days it is irresponsible to not go to college and get a degree in something useful, but it is equally irresponsible to not have enough life insurance to get you and your family through many if not all of the financial responsibilities that come with a family.

I mentioned my father and father in law dying. My father had a heart condition from birth and was uninsurable. My mom had a small pension from him. My older siblings pitched it to help also. My father in law was struck by a car and died. He had no insurance and my MIL receives a small monthly annunity from the settlement.

DH and I do have life insurance.

 

[Pigeon]

I have a question. Do those of you that say what if your spouse or for those of you that have had your spouse pass away, didn't you have life insurance? I mean I know that a college education is never wasted and that at any time you may need to work, but losing a spouse shouldn't put financial strain on you it you plan properly. My DH teases me all the time about how I must love him because I am much better off financially if he is dead.

I think these days it is irresponsible to not go to college and get a degree in something useful, but it is equally irresponsible to not have enough life insurance to get you and your family through many if not all of the financial responsibilities that come with a family.

This past year, one of my best friends way back from Kindergarten had her uber-health obsessed, jogging every day, 50 year old husband die a week to the day of being diagnosed with cancer. They had three boys, who are adolescents. Yes, he had a hefty life insurance policy.

But she never worked a day from when she first got pregnant. When the kids got a little older, she volunteered many hours at the catholic school where they sent the kids, which was nice for the school, but did nothing for the family's bottom line. She's basically now unemployable. She is now looking into getting medical insurance for herself and her three sons, two of whom have minor pre-existing medical conditions. It's going to cost a fortune. There's college tuitions for three coming up. That big chunk of insurance isn't going to go nearly as far as she had thought it would.

 

[StephMK]

So no I feel an education with a degree that will translate to a job is extremely valuable. No psych or anthropology majors in my house. Its not the college experience its planning your future!

I had to giggle because I am a psych major & DD is planning to major in archaeology! If you want to work in psych, you need to get a higher level degree. However, I have been able to work in counseling w/a BA and spent many years in an insurance career with it. Not a glamorous field - insurance-but it has provided well and offers a lot of flexibility. I currently work from home with no set hours & have worked a variety of PT & FT jobs. I know several liberal arts majors in it & a degree is definitely becoming a requirement. Plus I was able to take a few years off & come back making a very similar salary to what I left.

That said, I am now studying education and planning to get my school psych degree eventually. DD is very determined w/her goals and has plans. She knows higher ed is required & with her science interest, I think she will be able to use it, even if arch is not a well employed field.

I do agree with you that when you pick a major, you need to think about the long term options of your choice, not just what seems fun at the time.

 

[mhsjax]

Just what I was going to say.

I do. Sorry. And even if you don't. It is just common sense to have enough to at least supply enough income to where the surviving spouse can go and get an education if they don't have one.

jI never said it had to carry you through your entire life. Although I know many people that have enough that it could. I just said it was vary irresponsible not to have it, at least enough to hole the surviving spouse over for a while without sending them into a financial hardship. Why is that so hard to understand?

 

[mhsjax]

This past year, one of my best friends way back from Kindergarten had her uber-health obsessed, jogging every day, 50 year old husband die a week to the day of being diagnosed with cancer. They had three boys, who are adolescents. Yes, he had a hefty life insurance policy.

But she never worked a day from when she first got pregnant. When the kids got a little older, she volunteered many hours at the catholic school where they sent the kids, which was nice for the school, but did nothing for the family's bottom line. She's basically now unemployable. She is now looking into getting medical insurance for herself and her three sons, two of whom have minor pre-existing medical conditions. It's going to cost a fortune. There's college tuitions for three coming up. That big chunk of insurance isn't going to go nearly as far as she had thought it would.

But it probably buys her some time to get some sort of education. That is all I am trying to say.

Again, if my DH passes away, I am covered fro a VERY long time. He made sure of that. Now does that mean I won't work or go back and finish my education no. But life insurance needs to be purchased and enough to provide financial security for a good length of time.