tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post524828400086576178..comments2024-03-28T16:31:54.494-04:00Comments on Borepatch: A College education bubble?Borepatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05029434172945099693noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post-47230879445903132592009-01-12T08:30:00.000-05:002009-01-12T08:30:00.000-05:00On the other hand, how much of the 'soft-drop out ...On the other hand, how much of the 'soft-drop out rate' spoken about is because people took a serious major with intent to continue on in schooling, and then didn't/couldn't for whatever reason. I majored in biology with the intent of continuing on to medical school. Never got to medical school, partially by choice, and while I'm working in biotech, I'm anxiously awaiting the day when some more bills are paid off and I can go and get my paramedic cert. <BR/><BR/>On the other hand, I was always told growing up that the natural progression of life was to go from high school to college, and was never given a choice or chance to learn that things could be different. People who didn't go to college were dumb and not living up to their potential, I was told. You'll never make any money without a college degree and you'll be stuck working crap jobs for crap money without a college degree. I wish I had thought to learn differently, as if I had gotten hired by the fire dept not long after high school, I'd be makin twice as much as I am now, with zero school debt and halfway to my 25 year retirement with pension, something I'll never get working in biotech.roaming_gnomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13429757766880933929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post-58285957196340828272009-01-11T11:23:00.000-05:002009-01-11T11:23:00.000-05:00Sigh. What a heartbreaking story.We didn't have m...Sigh. What a heartbreaking story.<BR/><BR/>We didn't have much money growing up - certainly not poor, but not particularly well off by the current standards of the day, either. I remember Mom and Dad saying "Your inheritance will be your college degree."<BR/><BR/>It worked out well for me, but I lived at home and went to the U where Dad taught (at half tuition) while I figured out what I wanted to do.Borepatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05029434172945099693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post-7311055341051171002009-01-11T10:57:00.000-05:002009-01-11T10:57:00.000-05:00You brought up many good points. I was at a dinner...You brought up many good points. <BR/><BR/>I was at a dinner at former neighbor's place about 5 years ago. They were of average means, not poor, but certainly not rich. Things were extra tight as their daughter was going to an expensive college that was out of town (not an ivy league, just a LOT more pricey than the good colleges in our large city where she could have lived at home while attending). I asked what she was majoring in. They said "photography". "Really?" I said. I don't remember her being interested in photography in high school or with any sort of artistic promise. They said "Yes, she just thought it would be a fun major." Their daughter came over and showed me some of her pictures. I hate to be cruel, but they showed absolutely no talent or eye. I said something polite to her though. She shrugged and said "I know Mom and Dad had to take out another mortgage so I could do this, but it will be fun won't it, just taking pictures and making lots of money".<BR/><BR/>She's working as a clerk in retail now a year and half after graduation. Same type of job she had before college. Mom and Dad lost the house after Dad got laid off last year.<BR/><BR/>Education is important, but I made it clear to my daughter that unless she was planning on paying for it herself she should consider a major in something that gave her some chance of gainful employment, worth the outlay of money for the education itself. Had she been unusually gifted in the arts I would have encouraged that, with a dual major in something else.Home on the Rangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com