College or not?

[Tistal]

It depends on if your DD is ready or not. I teach at a university, and I cannot count the number of students that I've had over the years that just were not ready. I even had one-on-one conferences this week with a few to tell them to get on the ball (even though I know most of them won't, I can at least say I tried).

And, to those who have said a degree in English is worthless
Your child's English teachers that she/he has had throughout school have an English degree.
Many law students, if they don't start out in a pre law program, start out with a technical/professional writing English degree for the analytical and writing skills.
I use my English degree every day along with the 100+ colleagues I have.

It's not a worthless degree. It works like every other degree; if you're not willing to make it work for you then it won't. If you're not willing to go out and find a job that supports your degree, no matter what field it's in, then your degree is worthless.

 

[thej]

I think the big question is what do you want/like to do. Just going to college without an idea of that is likely to send you down a road you won't be happy with later in life. There is no shame in spending some time working and/or in CC to decide what you want to do.

I know quite a few folks who went to college and into careers with their only goal being to "Make a lot of money." Many of them are not happy people. Oh sure, they may have the Job/Car/House/Clothes they aspire to and look content on the outside, but there's no Joy in them once you crack that exterior.

Some of the happiest people I know are the ones who would do their job even if there was no pay. In fact a few of them do.

 

[Michelle and crew]

I think the big question is what do you want/like to do. Just going to college without an idea of that is likely to send you down a road you won't be happy with later in life. There is no shame in spending some time working and/or in CC to decide what you want to do.

I know quite a few folks who went to college and into careers with their only goal being to "Make a lot of money." Many of them are not happy people. Oh sure, they may have the Job/Car/House/Clothes they aspire to and look content on the outside, but there's no Joy in them once you crack that exterior.

Some of the happiest people I know are the ones who would do their job even if there was no pay. In fact a few of them do.

Otoh, some of the people i know that picked a degree and career based on making a living, are some of the happiest people I know. I picked a heart degree. It stretches and tears on a daily basis. My husband is a network engineer, and likes it well enough. He doesn't bring work home, makes more with a lesser degree, and is content. It just depends.

 

[crisi]

It also depends on what you fall into.

A 4 year History degree is unlikely to make you into a Historian, and you aren't going to leave college into a corporate manager job, but if you manage to fall right (and right now, that's going to be difficult to do), you can work your way up pretty well without getting the MBA - but its going to take a lot more luck and talent than getting an Accounting degree.

 

[eliza61]

There are definetely more useful degree programs
Science based-- my university just built an entire engineering campus. Some may argue that engineering is a "flooded" field now though. .

The great thing about science majors, I'm a chemist, is the flexibility. some engineering fields are a bit flooded but many can make a smooth transition to other areas, or make a move with a little extra work.
In NJ I've thought about becoming a h.s. chemistry or physic teacher and would be able to do it through a bunch of different programs without having to return to school to get a education degree.

I think the big question is what do you want/like to do. Just going to college without an idea of that is likely to send you down a road you won't be happy with later in life. There is no shame in spending some time working and/or in CC to decide what you want to do.

I know quite a few folks who went to college and into careers with their only goal being to "Make a lot of money." Many of them are not happy people. Oh sure, they may have the Job/Car/House/Clothes they aspire to and look content on the outside, but there's no Joy in them once you crack that exterior.

Some of the happiest people I know are the ones who would do their job even if there was no pay. In fact a few of them do.

It's a catch 22. Nowadays most young adults will not end up in the same career they start off in. I read some statistics that now people change jobs at least 4-5 times over the course of their working life. I'm 50 and been in the same field pretty much my entire life.

 

[Michelle and crew]

eliza what engineering areas would you see as the best for a freshman, if you don't mind my asking.

 

[Shleedogg]

These are worthless degrees w/out an MA to go w/ them. They offer you no specialized training in any field and you aren't really qualified to do anything.

And, to those who have said a degree in English is worthless
Your child's English teachers that she/he has had throughout school have an English degree.
Many law students, if they don't start out in a pre law program, start out with a technical/professional writing English degree for the analytical and writing skills.
I use my English degree every day along with the 100+ colleagues I have.

It's not a worthless degree. It works like every other degree; if you're not willing to make it work for you then it won't. If you're not willing to go out and find a job that supports your degree, no matter what field it's in, then your degree is worthless.

Yes, obviously an English degree is worth something if you are furthering your education with a teaching degree in addition or a MA. But let's be honest. You couldn't teach at a university without an MA (for a community college) and/or a PhD (for a 4 yr). So, if the student had no plans of getting an education degree, an advanced degree or going to law school like your other example, then yes, the English degree is worthless. There are very few things that qualifies you to do. I really hate how educators of a certain field get defensive and try to justify the long-term worth of a degree without further education. It is really misleading to the student and not at all what the real world holds for them.

My step-dad does this with my sister. She has no job experience at all. She's not going to get a job in technical writing, writing for a newspaper/magazine right out of college. She has no experience and only so-so grades. It's not a realistic goal.

 

[honugirl]

I was one of those pressured into college right after high school. I hated it and had no desire to be there. I had been in some sort of school since I was 2 and I was DONE. I've had my ups and downs since then, had some good jobs, some not so good jobs and some health challenges (which will continue for the rest of my life). I finally had what I hope will be my last surgery for a few years (God willing...) and with that, my life changed. I finally had the desire to go back to school. Started school 7 weeks after surgery and am on a roll! I've finally found what I'm passionate about and my instructors at my community college are FABULOUS! I wouldn't trade my chemistry profs for anything! In fact, I was going to finish here at the end of the year, but I like my chem prof so much I'm staying to take O chem with him and will do a dual registration with the 4 year university in town next year. O chem at the CC and other biology classes at the 4 year. We all find our way, some of us just take longer than others and for some of us, it takes a life changing event to know what we want to do. Good luck to the OP's daughter.

 

[Michelle and crew]

honugirl, your post made me smile. It is exciting to hear someone discover their heart's desire! I hope you continue to make progress health wise.

 

[MinnieForMe]

I feel an education is never wasted! I've been a SAHM for the last 13 years. My dad sometimes teases that my education was a waste but my mom yells at him and says "if you educate a woman, you educate a family". Yes, it is a given that my children will pursue some form of higher education above high school!

Good luck to your daughter! I'm sure she will be successful in whatever path she takes!

 

[Tistal]

You couldn't teach at a university without an MA (for a community college) and/or a PhD (for a 4 yr).

Incorrect, you can teach at a 4 year school with a MA; I've been doing it every day for 3 years now.

 

[MrsPete]

Incorrect, you can teach at a 4 year school with a MA; I've been doing it every day for 3 years now.

But it would be easier to obtain such a position with a PhD.

 

[MrsPete]

I feel an education is never wasted! I've been a SAHM for the last 13 years. My dad sometimes teases that my education was a waste but my mom yells at him and says "if you educate a woman, you educate a family". Yes, it is a given that my children will pursue some form of higher education above high school!

Good luck to your daughter! I'm sure she will be successful in whatever path she takes!

Agree and disagree. I have two daughters, and I expect them to earn a college degree. After that, I can't imagine they wouldn't work a few years, but then if they choose to become SAHMs and never work at all, that's fine with me. I still want them to have the degrees that that IF they NEED to work and support their families, they can do so. You never know about death, divorce, disability, or other disasters that might alter a family's plans.

However, I don't want them to get just any degree. I want them to get something practical, something that'd actually lead to a job.

 

[MrsPete]

I have been volunteering at childrens hospitals with child psychologists, developmental psychologists and in the child life department for 3 years. I have 5 psychologists, who I have discussed at length with about what I am interested in, in my family plus 5 years of personal interaction with developmental and child psychologists while being in the hospital.
I am currently volunterring at CHOC in their child life department adn interning with Jewish Social Services in conjunction with their child development program at our JCC.

The thing is, I'm not just a psychology major. My major is Psychology and Social Behavior which is a broader and different degree than a usual B.A or B.S. in psychology. It is focused away from the research aspect and more focused on how psychology and society are related. So its much more focused on developmental aspects, clinical aspects, social work, early intervention programs, etc.

Sounds like you're better informed than most. MOST people who earn a psych degree end up doing absolutely nothing with it.

 

[MrsPete]

It depends on if your DD is ready or not. I teach at a university, and I cannot count the number of students that I've had over the years that just were not ready. I even had one-on-one conferences this week with a few to tell them to get on the ball (even though I know most of them won't, I can at least say I tried).

I teach high school seniors, and I know that we send too many unprepared students to college. If your child doesn't really like high school (academics, not social part), doesn't read on his own, doesn't enjoy classes . . . he's not likely to suddenly become a different person in the summer after graduation. A couple years of working might convince him that this school thing has merit, but you shouldn't fool yourself about whether your kid's ready.

I think the abundance of school loans has made it easier for people to say, "Oh, let's just give it a try".

 

[StephMK]

It's been interesting reading this thread. So what do you do with a kid who is very motivated, honor student, been looking at colleges since freshman year and wants to go into something not as practical?

When I posted a few months ago, several told me -don't squash her dreams, let her make the decisions, etc. She is aware she will need education past her BA and is prepared to do that. My only doubts are her ability to get a paying job that she likes - archaeology/history. I know she could possibly transfer that into teaching but worry about the job market in museums or dig sites.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

When I posted a few months ago, several told me -don't squash her dreams, let her make the decisions, etc. She is aware she will need education past her BA and is prepared to do that. My only doubts are her ability to get a paying job that she likes - archaeology/history. I know she could possibly transfer that into teaching but worry about the job market in museums or dig sites.

I have a history degree. It's very hard to use without more education. I also did a historical archaeological dig in Virginia. A lot of my friends got jobs at sites right out of college. You just have to get experience in the field, and if they like you and you work hard, the jobs are there. I didn't use my degree though. I got married right after graduation, had 2 babies, got cancer and my husband is in the military... I have started working on my masters though with a goal to teach community college.

 

[Colleen27]

I feel an education is never wasted! I've been a SAHM for the last 13 years. My dad sometimes teases that my education was a waste but my mom yells at him and says "if you educate a woman, you educate a family". Yes, it is a given that my children will pursue some form of higher education above high school!

I tend to agree in theory, but I know so many women who went to college for their degrees and also got huge amounts of student loan debt, and now that they're marrying and starting families that debt makes it impossible for them to become SAHMs. I don't think education is ever wasted if you (or your parents, or your scholarships) can pay for it, but I also think people are much too quick to dismiss the lifelong consequences of starting out deeply in debt.

We wouldn't recommend our kids take on 50K in credit card debts at 18-19 years old; we shouldn't be pushing them to take that on in student loans either unless they have a clear plan that is likely to lead to a good return on investment. And sexist as it may be, I think women especially have to think long and hard about how much student loan debt they're willing to take on.

 

[disfan07]

Sounds like you're better informed than most. MOST people who earn a psych degree end up doing absolutely nothing with it

yeah I had that discussion with one of my psych professors last year. She was talking about how psychology is one of teh biggest majors, and has like the least amount of people who actually use the degree.

I have 7 friends who are graduating this year with psych. degrees. Only 1 is going to graduate school (just for a masters) and the other ones have no idea what they are doing. They havent started applying ofr jobs yet because they dont knwo what they want to do or what they can do with their degree.

Someone i know graduated with their BA is psych 2 years ago and they still dont have a job. RIght now they are working as a waitress. She hasnt even relaly been applying for jobs because they are not what they want ot do even though *they really DONT KNOW what they want to do.

 

[Michelle and crew]

I tend to agree in theory, but I know so many women who went to college for their degrees and also got huge amounts of student loan debt, and now that they're marrying and starting families that debt makes it impossible for them to become SAHMs. I don't think education is ever wasted if you (or your parents, or your scholarships) can pay for it, but I also think people are much too quick to dismiss the lifelong consequences of starting out deeply in debt.

We wouldn't recommend our kids take on 50K in credit card debts at 18-19 years old; we shouldn't be pushing them to take that on in student loans either unless they have a clear plan that is likely to lead to a good return on investment. And sexist as it may be, I think women especially have to think long and hard about how much student loan debt they're willing to take on.

Well, even those who choose to have a children, etc., may very well be working during their lives. The divorce rates say it better than I can. Women need an education that can support them and theirs if need be.

I think education should be done with some thought rather than just heart, though.