PAC MAN Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 These days, I'm hearing that college isn't as worthy as it was nearly 10 years ago. I think the student loan debt issue might attribute a lot to that argument but besides student loan debt, is college really worth it? I have a BS in accounting and I have a good paying job because I entered the federal workforce at a very good time. The economcy was still strong back then and private businesses were still hiring in greater numbers so that reduced the pool of people applying for federal jobs. Now these days, you would be considered lucky to get a federal job. I'm hearing that the legal field is pretty over staturated with people that are not retiring along with people racking up student loan debt to go to law school. Now I'm hearing it's better to just not go to a traditional college but more like voc tec or on the job training these days. Welding jobs are on the verge of being in great demand due to many welders closing on retirement age. Other blue collar jobs could be viewed in that category. I am thankful that my total student loan debt started out at about $25-30k instead of it being in the $50 to $200k range. Along with my wife's student loans, it's close to being under $10k and once paid off, it's time to shop for a house. Talk about destroying your future before it even begins! Is it time for a new defination of the American dream...one that doesn't include a college degree? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 I could actually buy this; the only problem is it assumes education's sole purpose is to prepare us for making money. IMO, education is necessary for an informed democracy. And no, K-12 doesn't cut it. We should have free college for all who meet given attendance and grade guidelines. Provide a limit on Admin salaries (along the lines of the G-level salaries for Govt employees) and get us caught up with Korea and England and other places where people know their ass from a hole in the ground. But yes, we have a glut of new lawyers, and all the old ones are sticking around apparently until dementia strikes. Just talked to one the other day who still thinks the BAC limit in Oregon is ".8" in stead of ".08". Pretty sure he graduated in 74. Time to hang it up, pal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mano Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 All things being equal, having a degree is better than not having a degree. A degree is not a guarantee that you will make a bunch of money, but I believe if you look at how much people with college degrees make vs. those without, the people with degrees will come out on top by a large margin. People come up with anecdotes all the time about one kid going to school for years ending up working for the kid with no education, but if you want to go with the odds, a degree is still the way to go. Yes, it has been tough to find a good job coming out of college for many majors. I doubt it is any easier if you are uneducated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAC MAN Posted July 16, 2013 Author Share Posted July 16, 2013 All things being equal, having a degree is better than not having a degree. A degree is not a guarantee that you will make a bunch of money, but I believe if you look at how much people with college degrees make vs. those without, the people with degrees will come out on top by a large margin. People come up with anecdotes all the time about one kid going to school for years ending up working for the kid with no education, but if you want to go with the odds, a degree is still the way to go. Yes, it has been tough to find a good job coming out of college for many majors. I doubt it is any easier if you are uneducated. That is the truth about having a degree versus not having a degree. I managed to have a job during those tough economic times and the people at my church who didn't have college degrees ended up losing their jobs then finding new jobs...not something I would wish to go through. The real issue here is that total student loan debt is over $1 trillion and it will have an impact on the economcy in the future. I could actually buy this; the only problem is it assumes education's sole purpose is to prepare us for making money. IMO, education is necessary for an informed democracy. And no, K-12 doesn't cut it. We should have free college for all who meet given attendance and grade guidelines. Provide a limit on Admin salaries (along the lines of the G-level salaries for Govt employees) and get us caught up with Korea and England and other places where people know their ass from a hole in the ground. But yes, we have a glut of new lawyers, and all the old ones are sticking around apparently until dementia strikes. Just talked to one the other day who still thinks the BAC limit in Oregon is ".8" in stead of ".08". Pretty sure he graduated in 74. Time to hang it up, pal. I could go to law school if I wanted to but I'm not going to do that anyway because it's possible that I will not have a job to pay down those student loans for law school. I think part of the problem today is that people don't really pay attention to what the job market would be like in the next 10-15 years which I did in this case. I knew that the federal workforce was aging and heading towards retirement within five to ten years when I got my job and it turned out to be correct. At least once every week or two weeks, I get a mass e-mail annoucing a retirement party. That is why my agency has weathered the sequestation storm without having furloughs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterEm Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 The answer to the college question - especially advanced degrees - has merely changed from "of course you should" (prior to housing collapse) to "it depends." Most applicants in my field are over-educated and under-employed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KUGRDON Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 That is the truth about having a degree versus not having a degree. I managed to have a job during those tough economic times and the people at my church who didn't have college degrees ended up losing their jobs then finding new jobs...not something I would wish to go through. The real issue here is that total student loan debt is over $1 trillion and it will have an impact on the economcy in the future. I could go to law school if I wanted to but I'm not going to do that anyway because it's possible that I will not have a job to pay down those student loans for law school. I think part of the problem today is that people don't really pay attention to what the job market would be like in the next 10-15 years which I did in this case. I knew that the federal workforce was aging and heading towards retirement within five to ten years when I got my job and it turned out to be correct. At least once every week or two weeks, I get a mass e-mail annoucing a retirement party. That is why my agency has weathered the sequestation storm without having furloughs. That was smart of you. Now you can sit there and post while we pay you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 That was smart of you. Now you can sit there and post while we pay you. Keep going, man, you're not done. A good 1 or 2 people on this board still don't think you're a sanctimonious prick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KUGRDON Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Keep going, man, you're not done. A good 1 or 2 people on this board still don't think you're a sanctimonious prick. Its just the truth. You routinely post on your employers' dollar. I would expect that rather than address the truth as I stated it, you talk about my tits or my prick. Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterEm Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Passive aggressive and holier than thou has been my take on Mr. Don in the short time here... but I can't argue with your assessment Mr. Orange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KUGRDON Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Passive aggressive and holier than thou has been my take on Mr. Don in the short time here... but I can't argue with your assessment Mr. Orange. I've never been passive. I say what I think. If a guy has the balls to say he is at work in a federal office and is posting far more often than break time would allow, its fair game. I don't know about holier, that has a religious connotation to it, I don't think I've done anything to make anyone believe I think I'm holier. I do think I hold myself far more accountable for my actions than many do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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