US college enrollment drops for 2nd straight year...

[Engineer]

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/dail...ollege-as-the-economy-improves-200454054.html

We need more skilled trade programs (and jobs) for the people better suited to do them. I see too many people trying to go to college, racking up mountains of debt, when they aren't suited for it. Sending every person in the US to college will result in the worlds largest debt (students) and the most educated Walmart and McDonald's work force in the world.

Indy is so very right in that not everyone can be a lawyer, engineer, doctor....or even a college graduate.

This also goes to show you that once the price gets too high, demand WILL drop. There was another article today talking about how parents are turning college financing over to their kids (the student) at an ever increasing pace...."you're on your own, Jr.".

 

[Atreus21]

Agree.

 

[Zebo]

These schools are pretty irresponsible for a long time but after all their 200Kyr a 6 credit work week half year professor job depends on selling you lies. Only about 10-20% pop should be there in the first place - that's all so called white collar jobs can sustain. Problem is there is no place for the other 80% to make a decent living these days like in the past so most still go - pushed by politicians and educators - and become dept slaves.

 

[Hugo Drax]

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/dail...ollege-as-the-economy-improves-200454054.html

We need more skilled trade programs (and jobs) for the people better suited to do them. I see too many people trying to go to college, racking up mountains of debt, when they aren't suited for it. Sending every person in the US to college will result in the worlds largest debt (students) and the most educated Walmart and McDonald's work force in the world.

Indy is so very right in that not everyone can be a lawyer, engineer, doctor....or even a college graduate.

This also goes to show you that once the price gets too high, demand WILL drop. There was another article today talking about how parents are turning college financing over to their kids (the student) at an ever increasing pace...."you're on your own, Jr.".

And not everyone is cut out either for trades. Some people are just not that smart period.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/dail...ollege-as-the-economy-improves-200454054.html

We need more skilled trade programs (and jobs) for the people better suited to do them. I see too many people trying to go to college, racking up mountains of debt, when they aren't suited for it. Sending every person in the US to college will result in the worlds largest debt (students) and the most educated Walmart and McDonald's work force in the world.

Indy is so very right in that not everyone can be a lawyer, engineer, doctor....or even a college graduate.

This also goes to show you that once the price gets too high, demand WILL drop. There was another article today talking about how parents are turning college financing over to their kids (the student) at an ever increasing pace...."you're on your own, Jr.".

I see no evidence that the decline in enrollment is due entirely or, even primarily, to the rise in costs. Perhaps students are FINALLY learning that not everyone "has " to go to college. Of course the people actually doing the learning may be their parents.

 

[Fenixgoon]

my parents told me the only way i was going to college was if i got a scholarship (which i did - covered 75% of my tuition)

 

[Texashiker]

We need more skilled trade programs (and jobs) for the people better suited to do them.

So they can barely scarp by week after week?

So they have to work 50, 60, 70 or even 80 hours a week just to make ends meet?

No sick time, one week vacation per year, no flexible work hours, mandatory overtime, work weekends nights and holidays?

Been there, done that, no thank you.

 

[Engineer]

I see no evidence that the decline in enrollment is due entirely or, even primarily, to the rise in costs. Perhaps students are FINALLY learning that not everyone "has " to go to college. Of course the people actually doing the learning may be their parents.

I never stated that the decline was entirely or primarily the reason. Simply stated the obvious...when people run out of money because something is too high and their debt limit is reached, something has to give. Although, I can see how my statements seem to state that. Was not my intention...only giving an observation.

 

[Engineer]

So they can barely scarp by week after week?

So they have to work 50, 60, 70 or even 80 hours a week just to make ends meet?

No sick time, one week vacation per year, no flexible work hours, mandatory overtime, work weekends nights and holidays?

Been there, done that, no thank you.

Well, I guess you can work the grease fryer and ask your customers "would you like fries with that?" while applying for food stamps and welfare then.

 

[Engineer]

And not everyone is cut out either for trades. Some people are just not that smart period.

I can understand that too.

 

[cuafpr]

So they can barely scarp by week after week?

So they have to work 50, 60, 70 or even 80 hours a week just to make ends meet?

No sick time, one week vacation per year, no flexible work hours, mandatory overtime, work weekends nights and holidays?

Been there, done that, no thank you.

what trade skill did you work? I just talked with an old HS friend that barely graduated HS and has made 18k in the past 1.5 months doing auto repair work contracts... I know others in various trades that are now up to 70-80+ per year, and at least one is in line to take over the company when the owner decides to retire. Heck my dad whom is retired was offered a lock smith job at 40/hr cause the owner needs help and no one wants the job.

Trade skill jobs are great and wrong looked down on in society. Not everyone should be in college, and half of the colleges out there should probably be closed vs offering degrees to anyone who can go in debt enough to get a piece of paper.

Can't get into college (or dont want to go) go apprenticeship for a few years in a trade and learn it well and you can be successful in life.

 

[Texashiker]

Well, I guess you can work the grease fryer and ask your customers "would you like fries with that?" while applying for food stamps and welfare then.

Sounds good to me.

At least you get time off to spend with the family.

what trade skill did you work? I just talked with an old HS friend that barely graduated HS and has made 18k in the past 1.5 months doing auto repair work contracts... .

Built ASME Section VIII certified pressure vessels and shell and tube heat exchangers.

Repaired vessels and heat exchangers as well.

 

[cuafpr]

Sounds good to me.

At least you get time off to spend with the family.




Built ASME Section VIII certified pressure vessels and shell and tube heat exchangers.

Repaired vessels and heat exchangers as well.

thanks, sounds a touch more like manufacturing than what I think of with trade skills, which is stuff like construction, carpenter, mason, mechanic etc... Though mfg jobs also are needed badly.

 

[Texashiker]

thanks, sounds a touch more like manufacturing than what I think of with trade skills, which is stuff like construction, carpenter, mason, mechanic etc...

Someone has to machine the body flanges for the exchangers, fit the flanges, weld the flanges, run the drill presses, build the bundles, hydro test the unit then send the finished product out to the refinery.

When the exchanger starts leaking someone has to strip and retube it.

 

[Engineer]

thanks, sounds a touch more like manufacturing than what I think of with trade skills, which is stuff like construction, carpenter, mason, mechanic etc... Though mfg jobs also are needed badly.

The 2nd to last place I worked at had 35 people when it was closed. Those 35 people had 1,100 years of experience in welding, machining (all types), machine building, etc. 90% of those guys started in production (manufacturing), moved to maintenance and then to tool room (of same company). Few had any formal training but by the time they all left (most retired), they were some of the best skilled people I have ever met, anywhere.

Manufacturing leads to so much more than a boring job where people do mindless tasks all day long.

 

[Zebo]

Trade work all cool and you can do great until you're 50 and knees blown out back hurts etc like so many of my friends. Shits abusive as hell on the body not a workout. OFC they don't feel like running 45 min after work on treadmill to stay in good shape right and are prone to injury and body goes to hell.

Look you can pay young and get great grades and a useful degree and breeze through life using brain or pay later with your body but you always have to pay. TAASTAAFL ...unless you're born rich like Chelsea or something.

 

[Engineer]

Trade work all cool and you can do great until you're 50 and knees blown out back hurts etc like so many of my friends. Shits abusive as hell on the body not a workout. OFC they don't feel like running 45 min after work on treadmill to stay in good shape right and are prone to injury and body goes to hell.

Like I said, those 35 people had 1,100+ years. There were 5 people that had 201 years between them. Most of them, many over 60, were in great health and could work 12 hours per day, 7 days a week (and some did).

Everybody can't do what you suggest. Not only are they not capable, the economy is not capable of providing everyone a white collar job. The other alternative is to work at Walmart stocking shelves until you can't, at which time you can become a greeter.

 

[Zebo]

Absolutely trades are a great alternative and a hell of a lot better than fluff degree on the left side of campus. Just bringing health and in some cases dangers aspect up. And all fields are relatively screwed with dismal prospects compared to when we were young..although I never met a unemployed DR, dentist, nurse, pharmacist... Have you? It's like those profession are totally almost immune to economy.

 

[Greenman]

Trade work all cool and you can do great until you're 50 and knees blown out back hurts etc like so many of my friends. Shits abusive as hell on the body not a workout. OFC they don't feel like running 45 min after work on treadmill to stay in good shape right and are prone to injury and body goes to hell.

Look you can pay young and get great grades and a useful degree and breeze through life using brain or pay later with your body but you always have to pay. TAASTAAFL ...unless you're born rich like Chelsea or something.

It's TANSTAAFL.

 

[Ronstang]

There are lots of problems with a college education in this country these days, the same with all other levels of education. They have dumbed it down so much to make it appear that certain people can compete that the degrees no longer mean what they once did in quality of education, they have made it too expensive, there are too many useless degrees out there that only serve the teaching staff, and there aren't as many quality jobs out there that require education.......yet we can't find qualified welders and machinists that have a work ethic and actually want to work!!

 

[cuafpr]

The 2nd to last place I worked at had 35 people when it was closed. Those 35 people had 1,100 years of experience in welding, machining (all types), machine building, etc. 90% of those guys started in production (manufacturing), moved to maintenance and then to tool room (of same company). Few had any formal training but by the time they all left (most retired), they were some of the best skilled people I have ever met, anywhere.

Manufacturing leads to so much more than a boring job where people do mindless tasks all day long.

also thanks you, and i agree my dad was a machinist for awhile. I just put these as mfg jobs vs trade jobs... just semantics really, and both are great for the right people and with hard work can lead to better things.

Yeah its rough on the body, but some scientist have burn out as well. its about finding what fits you (Which sadly my job doesn't fit me at all lol).

 

[Zebo]

Its expensive now because they let everyone in with Government fronting to bill. Supply and demand. Universities were in limited supply with almost unlimited demand. OFC administrators and staff rewarded themselves and campuses with lavish buildings and salries unheard of in academia before with unlimited demand and Fed money pouring in.

Like Health Care and RE we financialized education and ruined that too.
http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?singlepost=3351996

 

[Orignal Earl]

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/dail...ollege-as-the-economy-improves-200454054.html

We need more skilled trade programs (and jobs) for the people better suited to do them.

Haven't skilled trade programs always existed and readily available for those who chose them?

So they can barely scarp by week after week?

So they have to work 50, 60, 70 or even 80 hours a week just to make ends meet?

No sick time, one week vacation per year, no flexible work hours, mandatory overtime, work weekends nights and holidays?

Been there, done that, no thank you.

That sounds crazy. Are you in a third world?
Knowing a little about you, you have probably voted your way into that mess and now your reaping the benefits of it

 

[Engineer]

Haven't skilled trade programs always existed and readily available for those who chose them?

Skilled trade programs have always existed but have dropped in numbers over the years, especially with the shipping out of US manufacturing.

 

[Orignal Earl]

Skilled trade programs have always existed but have dropped in numbers over the years, especially with the shipping out of US manufacturing.

The manufacturing would be a tiny part of it though, and those skills could be applied elsewhere.
I'm going to guess Texashiker for instance had some welding skills, there's huge demand for that with the oil boom around here.
From that another thousand different types of skilled jobs are available, trucking and repair, rail car repair, refineries.
You need plumbers, construction workers,crane operators, electricians to make it all go around.