Value of a college education

West · #1 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 06:27 AM

I was reading a forum on comcast.net about the value of today's college education. The person who started the conversation basically said that to some degree, it's not worth much. College costs so much in today's world that it's pointless for someone to get thousands of dollars in loans to pay for tuition, and spend the next 30 or so years paying that money back. I also got the impression that he particularly does not care for the "liberal arts" degree.

This got me to thinking about my education. Personally, I'm glad I went to college. I believe I got a good education and those years were so much fun for me. However, when I think about it, I'm not using my liberal arts degree at all. So did I waste my time? I have a BS degree in Spanish, and was planning to get a Masters in secondary education for Spanish. After school, I taught in Phila public schools for 1 year and I HATED IT! The experience made me turn away from teaching completely. Now I work in HR.

I've been thinking about going back to school for a masters (don't know what I want to study yet), but how am I going to pay for it? My parents are really on me about going back to school, and I keep telling them I don't see the point in racking up thousands of dollars more in loans. Of course, if I were given a chance to go to school for free, I would jumpt on it. But I just can't afford grad school right now. My parents' argument to that is, "with a masters degree, you'll make a lot more money". True, but will that extra money offset my debt?

What do you guys think? Is a college education worth it these days? Is it necessary to be successful?

lisa · #2 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 09:15 AM

My degree was in Business (concentration in HR) and here I am a full-time webmaster / affiliate marketer. LOL I don't think college is completely worthless, but in my opinion the experience of getting away from home and the social experience is very helpful. Some of the things I learned outside of the classroom have been more beneficial than things I picked up in books.

Going back to school is good if you really have an interest in what you're going for. But I don't agree with going back to school if you just can't figure out what you want to do or you just want to make more money. I have a few friends who are professional students because they feel that getting a degree means they are accomplishing something or they hate their current jobs.

Me personally, you couldn't pay me to go back to school unless there was something I was really interested in or there was a field I wanted to tackle. I may take some classes at a community college from time to time but that's about it.

Let me ask you West. What's your motivation to go back if you're not sure what you want to study? Do your parents think the degree will help get you a better job or make more money?

I remember when I was in college, my parents always told me "Don't take those basket-weaving courses because they don't make any money." I sort of resent that now because it's not about money, it's about doing what you enjoy. Thank goodness I found my niche and passion. But I think we live in a world of status and there's this perception that an advanced degree is a guaranteed good salary, when it's not.

I'm not against going back to school, I just think you need to be clear on why you're going. Make sure you're doing it for yourself and not someone else or the wrong reason.

TechieGuy · #3 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 09:52 AM

That's the trouble with some. You decide your career at one point, but once you get the necessary education, you realize the job isn't right for you.

I myself had been good with computers so I graduated from college in a Computer Systems and Information Technology course. I started work right out of college and have been using my tech skills for the past 9 1/2 years.

I figured I wouldn't have the job I have now if it weren't for my college education. They have constantly done studies where college and university graduates earn quite a bit more in the workforce.

My wife complete her BS in Nursing about 8 years ago, her Masters in Nursing last year and is now gearing for her Ph. D in Nursing this year (September). Once complete she would like to become a professor in university. I hope it is a job she will enjoy, because that is a whole lot of education.

West · #4 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa

Let me ask you West. What's your motivation to go back if you're not sure what you want to study? Do your parents think the degree will help get you a better job or make more money?

I remember when I was in college, my parents always told me "Don't take those basket-weaving courses because they don't make any money." I sort of resent that now because it's not about money, it's about doing what you enjoy. Thank goodness I found my niche and passion. But I think we live in a world of status and there's this perception that an advanced degree is a guaranteed good salary, when it's not.

I'm not against going back to school, I just think you need to be clear on why you're going. Make sure you're doing it for yourself and not someone else or the wrong reason.

Thats a good question/point. I think motivation is the wrong word. It feels more like pressure. If I could go back to school to study a subject that I'm truly interested in, it would be Hispanic linguistics. I don't really care about making money in that field, I just want to study the subject because I would enjoy it.

I feel sort of pressured to go for HR management because I currently work in that field, so an advanced degree could mean more money for me. But like I said before, it would also mean more loans I'd have to pay back. And on top of that, I'll have to deal with doing research, writing papers, etc. in a subject that I'm not really passionate about.

If my job sent me to school for free, that's a different story, even though most companies make you take classes that pertain to your current position. If my company told me they would pay for my tuition as long as I pursue something in HR, I would do it simply because it's free, and I'd be getting another degree under my belt. But I'm not spending thousands of dollars of my own money to study something I don't enjoy, especially when I can't afford it.

lisa · #5 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 10:38 AM

Well if you do go back I'd say go for the Linguistics degree since it sounds like it's something you enjoy... nothing wrong with that. But I don't blame you for being hesitant, especially if you're not as passionate about the HR field. Don't let the pressure cook ya.

Writing papers, research, etc. are things I definitely don't miss about school. Yuck!

That's cool, TechieGuy. Not many people end up doing what they went to school for. I read somewhere that only 10% of people actually end up working in the field they got their degree in. That sounded very low to me. I know a lot of people end up doing other things but I wouldn't have thought it would be that low.

ydx · #6 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 05:43 PM

My college education was worth it just for the experience alone. Now the cost vs. value depends on if one is majoring in something he/she actually wants to do and if in the long run the degree pays off the price of getting the education. For most, it doesn't. I am not doing anything specifically dealing with my degree. Fortunately for me, what I majored in makes it easy for me to integrate my education in many areas of every job I've had after college and the one I have now.

augenauf · #7 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 12:07 PM

Neither of my parents went to college. They've got a gorgeous house with two stories and a basement in a nice neighborhood, two kids, two dogs, and two nice cars, plus I'm going to college soon. It's tight, but they can do it.

Still, my mom says she's "failed" because she "lives in fear of the man." she says that I have to go to college so I won't have to be like her, walking around from place to place begging for a job.

So I guess it's not nesecary but still pretty important.

As far as going back... I'd only go back for something you really, really enjoy.

NewMama · #8 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 04:00 PM

This is a question I ask myself a lot because I have an M.S. and sometimes I wonder if it's helped me. I am glad I have it for personal reasons (feeling of accomplishment, being somewhat of an expert in my field, etc.), but I can't say it's helped me to much in the coporate world because all companies want is someone with experience. So maybe one day down the road mine will pay off financially.

I would think that it would be really hard to complete a graduate degree in a field you aren't passionate about. Kind of like website creation! My grad. program was very intense, we lived and breathed psychology and there's no way I could have gotten through it if I didn't love it.

I would tell you to get the degree in something you love. You never know where it will take you and it is amazing to be surrounded by people who share your passion. Maybe you could save up money to pay cash instead of taking on debt?

ssmorgan · #9 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 07:02 PM

I think the valuable skills one develops by going to college go far beyond knowledge in a specific field. Ideally, college education is not about learning a trade, it is meant to develop well-rounded individuals, who have developed critical thinking abilities and skills.

In addition, in college, a lot of people learn a lot about themselves, life, their ability. It's a time when they can develop their interests, personal skills, and set the foundation for their ambition, dreams, goals, and visions for their lives.

I am not saying that you have to go to college in order to accomplish all this or to be ambitious or have great vision, or even to make money... In fact, I personally know someone who dropped out of high school, who is the most incredible person I know... and he is a millionaire today.

The point is, he is successful because he was ambitious, driven, motivated, and always learning... his lack of education never stopped him from being successful.

Sorry I babbled slightly off-topic... but West, from my personal experience, grad school is hard as it is, and it would be even harder if you aren't really into it.

If I were you, I would tell people that I want to focus my efforts on my websites, and when you I am generating a lot of profit from it, I would go back and pay for school by my internet revenue

West · #10 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 07:32 PM

This thread is starting to remind me of the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad". Anyone read it? it's about a man, Robert, whose biological father had a few college degrees and a respectable gov't job. He always taught his son the importance of a good "education". Robert's other "dad" was his financial teacher. This guy had no college education (I believe he didn't finish high school), yet he became a lot more successful financially than the biological dad.

James · #11 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 09:47 PM

Once I heard about four monks. As they tramped around in this big circular vat crushing the grapes with their bare feet they could be heard muttering under their breath, "Four years of Latin, six years of theology, three years of ethics, five years of Greek..."

Lajocar · #12 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 07:02 AM

College education is good, but it does not guarantee success.
I've seen lots of people with college qulifications that can't find work.

Lots of people are very successful without college aducations. In fact alot of college dropouts became some of the richest and wealthiest people in the world.

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