Why are *some* kids wasting time with college? Or: How the military can payoff!

[Martin]

I though about going to a polytechnic university that claimed it gets you high paying jobs when you graduate (I would ahve been 20 at graduation had I gone), but I didn't believe him.

So I'm going into regular comp engineering which I'll graduate when I'm 23, not bad.

 

[olds]

Why are you kids wasting time with college?
Cause that's where the college aged girls are at?

 

[Imdmn04]

Colleges are for people who want to make money using their brain, there are a lot of jobs that requires a lot of physical work that pays very well, but would I want to do it?

 

[DigDug]

I apologize if I took it the wrong way. Its just that a title proclaiming that college is a waste, got me going.

What lawschools are you guys and girls applying to?

 

[Siva]

The seabees is pretty hard to get into isn't it? He must be pretty bright, college education or not. Its getting harder and harder to find decent work without a college education, $60k a year is pretty damn good and you are right to be proud of him for it. I'll be lucky to make that much 5-10 years after I get out of college, once I get in

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Good for him - but most people can't enter the navy and at the age of 21 come out making $60k.

Also some people like to go for more than jsut a resume builder. I also personally wouldn't want to do that all day.

Nicely put!

 

[IGBT]

Skilled heavy equipment op's do well. Lots of OT and never out of work. Nothing like moving tons of dirt around with a back ho or heavy front loader. Does take practice though.

 

[sheselectric]

Don't garbage collectors get six figures in some areas? Or is that just a "60 Minutes" myth?

 

[MrCodeDude]

Don't most people say college is the best part of life?
-- mrcodedude

 

[jhu]

College isnt all about getting a good job later on.

right on. it's about going to frat parties and getting laid.

 

[Squisher]

Yes, college isn't for everybody and there are good paying jobs for people without degrees. There are even very rewarding jobs out there where you use your mind much more than your brawn that don't require a degree.

However, those jobs are getting harder to find.


I'm a diemaker an make good money at a union job, but I went back and got a degree to make myself more employable if there ever was a time that I would need it.

 

[Cyberian]

I'm a diemaker an make good money at a union job, but I went back and got a degree to make myself more employable if there ever was a time that I would need it.

Now, there's a tough hand to beat!!

 

[CPA]

Carbonyl, I generally disagree with most everything you post, but you do make a good assertion about the need for college.

The world wouldn't be any better if everyone had a degree in something. In fact, if that was the case noone, with the exception for those in a few educational paths (CS is one of them), would want to do the menial day to day work. Everyone would think they are entitled to supervise, manage, or run the business. Bricklayers don't need an education in engineering, and if they did, they would want to supervise the bricklayers not work side by side with them. Some people are just happy to have a job.

In addition there are some degrees that should be looked at no more highly than someone without that degree. A degree in Education is one of them. Here is a degree with no body of knowledge, yet if you get it, you can teach 30 children in numerous fields. Colleges of Education (not college education) should be shut down and all teachers should be required to have a specialization. Hell even a CS major has to take Biology.

Now as far as you nephew, I applaud his service, but he did get lucky if the Union assigned him a cushy crane operator job off that bat. Those usually go to the apprentices who served some time in the union or, worse, someone's relative. Unions suck!

 

[UltraQuiet]

The bottom line here is that he went into the military, learned a trade, served his country, got out and now is a productive member of society. His contributions are as important as anyones, degree or no degree. As far as not being upwardly mobile, no the sky is not the limit but I do know that the guys/girls tha are ordinance certified crane operators on Naval bases make even more than he does. The guys that move nukes make even more than that.

The military is not for everyone obviously. As most of you know I have spent the last 18+ years in the Navy. My intention in 1983 when I joined was to get my tech schools (aviation) and get out. Bad economy, lateral conversion into the sub force, a real chance to make Chief at the 8 year point (which I did) and all of the sudden it's a career. I will leave the service in < two years with an MIS degree and more LAN, electronics and leadership experience than I probably ever could have hoped for in another career. Probably. The military, for the most part is just like college, in the respect you will get out of it exactly what you put into it.

JMO


Chief

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: CPA
Carbonyl, I generally disagree with most everything you post, but you do make a good assertion about the need for college.

The world wouldn't be any better if everyone had a degree in something. In fact, if that was the case noone, with the exception for those in a few educational paths (CS is one of them), would want to do the menial day to day work. Everyone would think they are entitled to supervise, manage, or run the business. Bricklayers don't need an education in engineering, and if they did, they would want to supervise the bricklayers not work side by side with them. Some people are just happy to have a job.

In addition there are some degrees that should be looked at no more highly than someone without that degree. A degree in Education is one of them. Here is a degree with no body of knowledge, yet if you get it, you can teach 30 children in numerous fields. Colleges of Education (not college education) should be shut down and all teachers should be required to have a specialization. Hell even a CS major has to take Biology.

Now as far as you nephew, I applaud his service, but he did get lucky if the Union assigned him a cushy crane operator job off that bat. Those usually go to the apprentices who served some time in the union or, worse, someone's relative. Unions suck!

First time I've seen you..... if you don't agree with other things i've said, pipe up I always try and explain myself, have healthy dialog, and heck even learn something somtimes

Anyhow I agree with this notion of entiltlement among some college graduates. Also, the field is becomming/will become to saturated at the professional level if EVERYONE goes for a degree which is happening and why tradesmen are paying well. There no one other than illegals to do the work.

College of Education and Unions suck....No. But not this thread

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer
The bottom line here is that he went into the military, learned a trade, served his country, got out and now is a productive member of society. His contributions are as important as anyones, degree or no degree. As far as not being upwardly mobile, no the sky is not the limit but I do know that the guys/girls tha are ordinance certified crane operators on Naval bases make even more than he does. The guys that move nukes make even more than that.

The military is not for everyone obviously. As most of you know I have spent the last 18+ years in the Navy. My intention in 1983 when I joined was to get my tech schools (aviation) and get out. Bad economy, lateral conversion into the sub force, a real chance to make Chief at the 8 year point (which I did) and all of the sudden it's a career. I will leave the service in < two years with an MIS degree and more LAN, electronics and leadership experience than I probably ever could have hoped for in another career. Probably. The military, for the most part is just like college, in the respect you will get out of it exactly what you put into it.

JMO


Chief

Excellent post Chief! He was a pretty officer second class and well on his way to chief if he signed for 6.

 

[Ultima]

Originally posted by: gopunk
frankly, 60k is not what i plan on making. that's like worst case for me.

Are you kidding? That's pretty f!cking good over here, that's what 90-100K Canadian? That's a lot of cash.. you can own a big house and a nice car easy with that. I wouldn't complain...

 

[UltraQuiet]

Excellent post Chief! He was a pretty officer second class and well on his way to chief if he signed for 6.

Thanks, I tried to do it without libeling anyone or calling people names.

Anyway what I was going to add to my other post and forgot was that for those of you with degrees don't completely discount a hitch in the military. Go to OCS, get commisioned, the money is decent, the experience is invaluable. I have primarily dealt with submarine officers all of whom have engineering degrees. When these guys get out after 4,5,6 years employers are waiting for them. Not just work in the nuke power field either. All fields, during all economies. These guys are highly sought after. I'm not trying to recruit, it's just something to think about.


Chief

 

[RSI]

Originally posted by: Ultima

Originally posted by: gopunk
frankly, 60k is not what i plan on making. that's like worst case for me.

Are you kidding? That's pretty f!cking good over here, that's what 90-100K Canadian? That's a lot of cash.. you can own a big house and a nice car easy with that. I wouldn't complain...

Yeah it's good pay for 21, but you won't be seeing many increases ever. If you start out at 20-40k with whatever job with a degree, you have much more potential to increase fast, and you have lots of options and decisions you can make to make more cash if you want. Having doors open is good.

 

[BarneyFife]

Originally posted by: RSI

Originally posted by: Ultima

Originally posted by: gopunk
frankly, 60k is not what i plan on making. that's like worst case for me.

Are you kidding? That's pretty f!cking good over here, that's what 90-100K Canadian? That's a lot of cash.. you can own a big house and a nice car easy with that. I wouldn't complain...

Yeah it's good pay for 21, but you won't be seeing many increases ever. If you start out at 20-40k with whatever job with a degree, you have much more potential to increase fast, and you have lots of options and decisions you can make to make more cash if you want. Having doors open is good.

Says who? Union workers get raises and make big money. In 5 years, I wouldn't be surprised if he was making $35 hour. Lots of options and decisions = unemployment checks. The only way to make big money is to stay at your workplace for a long period of time and get seniority.

 

[olds]

I am in a Union (Operating Engineers) and I was an equipment operator. I am at the pay grade 1 step above an operator. In 12 years I doubled my salary working for the same outfit. I'd say the Seebee has the same or possibly better potential.

 

[Booster]

Well I'm 22 and I make $0.00 an hour. God I need a job.

How true, how true. Even when I work, I don't get paid a crap. Work just out of interest. Doesn't it sound insane when we are so obsessed with money making? :Q

 

[ScottyB]

I would agreed with you but I hate the military, and feel we already have way too big of one.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: sbastedo
I would agreed with you but I hate the military, and feel we already have way too big of one.

What an ignorant azz wipe you are.

 

[Eli]

*scrolls to the bottom*

My girlfriend was going to go into the military. She's in her 2nd year of NJROTC. But we don't have those programs here in Portland.. She's moving down here this summer. In 8 days, actually. So she's put those plans on hold.

I don't really want her to join.. It scares me for some reason. But it's her decision.