http://www.nypost.com/seven/06282009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/dont_get_that_college_degree__176545.htm?page=0

 

This is what I've been saying for a while. Due to artificially-low interest rates and government interference in the free market, there have been bubbles in the American economy:

 

1. The tech stock bubble.

 

2. The Housing bubble.

 

And now...

 

I see two major bubbles inflating:

 

1. College.

 

2. Pharmacy.

 

Everywhere you go, kids are "studying to become a pharmacist" and they expect six figures when they graduate. There's a Walgreens, or a CVS, or a Rite Aid on every corner.

 

Every reputable private university is constantly increasing its student body size and tuition. They're building on campus, hiring new faculty, accepting more transfers. Soon a college degree won't be worth much.

 

The most valuable thing you can learn when you're young isn't liberal arts, it's finance and economics. Saving money (intelligently) will make you rich when you're older. Don't jump into the rat race as soon as you can, because you might never get out - start out frugal, and be proud of it!

yeah but you can't put a price on four years of drunken parties and the emotional high of knowing how much time you've wasted.

Its worth it...sadly some people like me need a degree on a resume to get a good job. Its bullshit but necessary for some people. My brother only went 2 semesters and is making a lot of money. 20% of all billionaires didn't go or finish college.

I know some people with college degrees fighting for jobs as receptionists. 4 year degrees and they're answering phones. This world can be a sad sad place in an economy like this.

Woo hoo! Hooray for Econ majors!

 

 

Now, seriously, it's sad how a Bachelor's is not enough to get somewhere, anywhere!

A degree has become such a mass commodity, you have to do other things while in college to stand from the crowd: being involved in student organizations, preferably with a leadership position; participate in and/or help organize community service activities; study abroad and/or conduct research; have at least one internship before graduating.

Also important is to join the professional organization(s) related to your future career as soon as you find out about then. Why? because you get connected to professionals, who also are potential mentors, among the best connections you can have in your network.

 

As for personal finances, I have survived with the scholarships I received, worked summers only to focus on school in the semesters, and saved every penny. Rather than getting wasted every weekend, I have skipped the nightlife in favor of networking events and college-sponsored social events that have been free or almost-free for me.

 

Ok, those are my $0.02

 

P.S. Don't become a Pharmacist unless you enjoy (a) tons of Chemistry, and (b) love to interact with people on a daily basis.

I know some people with college degrees fighting for jobs as receptionists. 4 year degrees and they're answering phones. This world can be a sad sad place in an economy like this.

 

That's a stupid thing to say though, they could be degrees in anything, if you choose the wrong degree then it's your own fault really.

 

I am doing a degree which will lead me down a specific route in my life, not some general thing that doesn't guarantee anything.

 

 

Maybe I'm not living in the real world either, but the economy has really not affected my life in any way, at all.

Its more about who you are and who you know then your degree. You can have the right degree and suck at life and fail or don't have a degree but still know what to do and do well. It comes down to who you are more then what degree you have.

Nick, you're right, getting a job is more about who you know. People can see you're competent even if you don't have a degree, or a degree in a specific field...

 

I think in general people are willing to give you the benefit of the doubt if you're friendly and outgoing.

Depends what kind of job you want to do though, I couldn't just walk up and go "hey I'm intelligent and hardworking can I be a scientist kthanks?"

 

You're right for certain job areas, just not the kind of work I want to be involved with.

There's such a thing as apprenticeships, you know.

 

I think the way society has organized education is a result of government-driven bull. It's likely that without government, more businesses would have their own training centers that guarantee you a job upon successful graduation. Sort of like how some brokerage firms train their financial advisers.

Yep, but (in England at least) a lot of degrees have an option where you can actually do a year in the industry you are training towards working in, so not only do you get a feel for how it is applied in a working environment but the employers can also see how good you are at it, a bit like an apprenticeship.

I fear even with a degree I won't do much....if thats the case it will have been a huge waste of money but a necessary life experience.

lol, Nick you've got plenty of time to succeed at something in life. You worry too much.

Yup i know people with degrees,pHd's etc..working as couriers,trolley fetcher etc.

Yup i know people with degrees,pHd's etc..working as couriers,trolley fetcher etc.

 

Phd? Thats a huge amount of time and money and now they are doing low level jobs, such a waste.

 

lol, Nick you've got plenty of time to succeed at something in life. You worry too much.

 

We can't all be successful but who gives a fuck?:cool:

We can't all be successful but who gives a fuck?:cool:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCZHceA1Wqc&feature=related]YouTube - Sometimes you gotta say[/ame]

best four seconds of Tom Cruise's career

What a lot of the new graduates are finding is that they are coming out of University with a degree, but they can't find a job. Aim for a 'low' paying entry job and they are rejected for being overly qualified and aim for a job which needs a degree and some are finding themselves turned away for someone who has experience.

 

And with the average student debt being something stupid like £30K, it's a lot to pay to work behind the tills at Asda

What a lot of the new graduates are finding is that they are coming out of University with a degree, but they can't find a job. Aim for a 'low' paying entry job and they are rejected for being overly qualified and aim for a job which needs a degree and some are finding themselves turned away for someone who has experience.

 

And with the average student debt being something stupid like £30K, it's a lot to pay to work behind the tills at Asda

 

Wait till the central banks quit their "quantitative easing" and the interest rates skyrocket overnight. Young people with student loan debt will be pissed off, and there will be a whole generation of kids who have terrible credit. Thanks, government!

College students have far less student loans than Uni students. And the chances of getting a job is only a little but less than uni so I'd go to college.

I'm one of the lucky few who doesn't have college debt. I graduated from UCLA last year and finding a job has been a nightmare. I just hope the economy turns around soon. Wishful thinking...

College or university isn't a waste, but it definitely depends on how you make of the experience.

It's far more than just studying and going to lectures; you are open to countless opportunities to network and find things that you love and want to learn. At the end of it all, you use what you've gained and as the person you've grown into during university, to fit into a job you want. Or so I hope.

I think the problem with liberal arts in general (not necessarily the cost of college) is that it is basically a continuation of high school. Sure, you have a "major", but the bulk of your time is spent thinking about getting credits for classes that have nothing to do with your career path. That flies in the face of the old capitalist credo of "specialization".

 

First, you specialize. You get really good at one thing, that's useful to society. Then, once you've made money from that, you can begin to explore the other cultural subjects.

I think the problem with liberal arts in general (not necessarily the cost of college) is that it is basically a continuation of high school. Sure, you have a "major", but the bulk of your time is spent thinking about getting credits for classes that have nothing to do with your career path. That flies in the face of the old capitalist credo of "specialization".

 

First, you specialize. You get really good at one thing, that's useful to society. Then, once you've made money from that, you can begin to explore the other cultural subjects.

 

yeah, there are many things of that sort that I like about the european education systems. I remember hearing and liking the prospect of standardized end of year tests instead of our much shorter classes that vary so much depending on the teacher you have.

 

I would love to just study one passion instead of constantly juggling math, science and language requirements in college. Unfortunately I'm still not sure what I want to do, (EW is coming to American liberal arts colleges for that very reason)and since I didn't learn that much in high school there are many core classes that I don't mind taking or retaking.