College returns, monetary and otherwise

[Cindi0511]

Just curious -- how many of you graduated from college (in any form or fashion) and are still working in the field in which you earned your degree? How many have switched fields?

I changed my major from physical education to humanities to print journalism, worked in that field for 10 years, switched to marketing, now stay at home with my kids, and when they leave, I will probably start my own business totally unrelated to journalism (get waaaaaaaay too cynical in that field). But I will always be grateful for my education and degree -- both taught me way more than just grades.

 

[staci]

Well, I got my AA in Business, worked in insurance for 2 years, HATED IT more than anything . Went back to school, got my education degree, and now I stay home with my son. So while I am not getting PAID for my knowledge anymore, my son is the most important student I will ever teach!

 

[crisi]

Got "most of" a degree in Art History.

Work in IT. Until recently was doing statistical process analysis.

 

[kjh]

I have an AA in liberal arts (that I actually got after my BS) and a BS in EE. I am still working in my field but would love to be able to afford to stay home with my DD. Until then...I'll work. Maybe one trip to Disneyland I'll hit the lottery and be able to be a stay at home mom. I envy those who are able to by choice...

 

[dixipixi]

Interesting question.

I graduated with a double major in History/Political Science and minors in Biochemisty and American Literature (result of having changed majors a couple of times).

NO...I do not work in any of those fields. I help out at DH's business. I basically do data entry, bookeeping, help answer phones, and whatever else comes up.

I recently completed my Master's in History, but for what I have no idea. Years ago I thought I would be a History Professor, or work in a museum, something like that. But my son came along and in order for me to do those things now, it would involve a lengthy commute. I just don't want to be away from home that much.

I do not regret getting my degrees, however. Any job I've ever had has always paid more because of that college education. Whether or not it was related to my field.

 

[minkydog]

I have an associate's degree in nursing and a BS in elementary education. I have worked steadily as a nurse for almost 28 years. I also homeschooled my kids for 12 years (not planned, it just worked out that way ) A big part of my job is educating parents on how to take care of their sick children. so in a way I am using both degrees

 

[dznyacct]

20 years ago I got my BA in Accounting and believe it or not, will have my 20th anniversary at the company I went to work for after I graduated (as an Accountant) in April. Boy, time REALLY does fly !! Honestly, I really toyed between Accounting and Elementary Ed (I LOVE kids!!). I'm not burned out, but the thought of teaching is VERY appealing to me. I even went so far as to contact the university where I graduated from (here, in my hometown) and see what it would take to get an Elementary Ed degree. 1 1/2 - 2 years full-time would be tough for me to not work. Maybe when my son starts college there in a few years, we could go onthe "buddy plan" !!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I worked for 20 years in my chosen field before dropping it all to become a SAHM. I now work part-time teaching French to grade school students. I hold a Master's Degree in Clinical Chemistry. Go figure that one!

 

[disneysteve]

I'm one of the rarities. I entered college as a Biology major. I graduated 4 years later with a BS in Biology. Imagine that. I went on to medical school and have been practicing medicine ever since.

So why is this thread called College Money?

 

[Cindi0511]

I'm one of the rarities. I entered college as a Biology major. I graduated 4 years later with a BS in Biology. Imagine that. I went on to medical school and have been practicing medicine ever since.

So why is this thread called College Money?

I called it college money because I was curious about if the money spent on college educations was repaid to the student down the road since so many of us changed what we started out in. When I went to college, I had no idea what I really wanted to do. OK, I wanted to be in medicine, but the professor who taught freshman chemistry openly stated that his goal was to make as many students flunk as possible -- his way of weeding out, I guess. Anyway, I knew that I had only one shot to get through all my classes as I carried a fulll load and worked full time+, so I couldn't afford to flunk even one class. But my degree has helped in more ways than I could imagine, and it was worth it.

Guess I should rename it, eh? I'll give it a shot.

 

[hmgolden]

I have a BFA in Drama - specifically technical theater. I now work for a company that production manages corporate/special events.

 

[disneysteve]

I called it college money because I was curious about if the money spent on college educations was repaid to the student down the road since so many of us changed what we started out in.

I get your point, although I think that is so incredibly difficult to really measure. If you end up in a career other than what your degree was in, does that mean college was of no value? I don't think so. A lot of life skills are learned in college that serve you well no matter what field you end up in. Plus, if you got a well-rounded liberal arts education, you took classes in many areas besides your major.

 

[gr8ful4Him]

I have an associates degree in accounting. I worked at a C.P.A.'s office for a year and a half and that was enough for me! I quickly found out that office work isn't something that enjoy at all! I've been a SAHM, but I've also had different jobs that have allowed me to be home with my children also. I drive school bus now, as my 3yo dd can come with me when my dh is working. Someday, I'd like to go back to school and become a teacher.
If I had to do things all over again, I would have chosen a different path, but I don't regret where I've been and what I've learned along the way.

 

[aero99]

BS in Aerospace Engineering. Got my DREAM co-op when in school which led to a full-time job as soon as I graduated. They have since paid for my MS (in same field) and are paying for my Ph.D. (and they paid me to go to the school full-time for a year with full-salary). Yep, definitely paid off!!

 

[bonkos6]

I have a BA with 3 minors in elementary ed., spanish, and exercise sports science. I have not worked in any of those fields, although I have used the knowledge that I gained from them. I am an insurance verifier for home health agency. I would not trade my college years for anything. I grew so much then and found out what so much about myself during those years.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I have an AA in liberal arts, I stopped after that because I couldn't decide what I wanted to major in and I never went back. Although I'd like to, I still can't decide what to major in. There's just so many different things that I'm interested in. I have some time to decide anyway, I'm a SAHM now and I still have two not in school yet.

 

[njcarita]

I'm one of the rarities. I entered college as a Biology major. I graduated 4 years later with a BS in Biology. Imagine that. I went on to medical school and have been practicing medicine ever since.

So why is this thread called College Money?

i also grad after 4 years with a BS in BIO--- went to med school--- and quit after one year---

went back to reasearch and was a happy scientist for 10 years until i became a mommy and all i want ed to be was home with them---
so i have been an even happier sahm for 9 years.

 

[ButterflyJen]

BA in Interior Architecture, currently a WAHM planning office cubicles. So I'd say I stuck with my field! (Wouldn't mind being a travel agent though. Or a librarian, for that matter!)

 

[Debbie Jean]

I called it college money because I was curious about if the money spent on college educations was repaid to the student down the road since so many of us changed what we started out in. When I went to college, I had no idea what I really wanted to do. OK, I wanted to be in medicine, but the professor who taught freshman chemistry openly stated that his goal was to make as many students flunk as possible -- his way of weeding out, I guess. Anyway, I knew that I had only one shot to get through all my classes as I carried a fulll load and worked full time+, so I couldn't afford to flunk even one class. But my degree has helped in more ways than I could imagine, and it was worth it.

Guess I should rename it, eh? I'll give it a shot.

I teach a First Year Seminar course to incoming Freshman at a large University in New Jersey. These are the statistics I give them:

According the the Bureau of the Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2002 the median annual earnings for various education levels:

Less than High School $21,391
High School graduate $28,807
Associates degree $35,389
Bachelor's degree $46,276
Masters degree $55,302
Doctorate $70,476
Professional (e.g. M.D.) $80,230

So the difference in median income level between a High School diploma and a Bachelors degree is $17,469 per year. If you work for 40 years, you will make almost $700,000 more with a Bachelors degree than with a High School diploma alone.

Of course, everyone is different, but the overall statistics are compelling to say the least. It certainly gets my students attention!

Is it worth it? In a word: yes.

 

[Cindi0511]

According the the Bureau of the Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2002 the median annual earnings for various education levels:

Less than High School $21,391
High School graduate $28,807
Associates degree $35,389
Bachelor's degree $46,276
Masters degree $55,302
Doctorate $70,476
Professional (e.g. M.D.) $80,230

So the difference in median income level between a High School diploma and a Bachelors degree is $17,469 per year. If you work for 40 years, you will make almost $700,000 more with a Bachelors degree than with a High School diploma alone.

VERY INTERESTING. My girls are only 4 and 1, and already we're telling them that "when you go to college ... " and "you go to college first and THEN get married (when you're 39, of course!!!!)" My parents only had one year each of college before they got married and quit, and NOT going to college was never an option for us. They worked their tails off big time, but we were free and clear when we graduated, and that is one of the biggest gifts in the world. THANK YOU, MOM AND DAD!!!