The benefits of a college education

GypsmJim said:

Being an intern, working as a manger in a fast food joint, or being a tudor are certainly ways to gain experience. In my case I did them all but none of those venues did me any good. It was that simple piece of paper that got me hired in the first place, and success in the real world that got me in the door for a truly professional job.

Later in life I came across may military veterans that were hired for management jobs. (My VP Mfg was a war hero) Not being negative about those people in general (my nephew is a master sergeant with 20+ years and he is more than capable), but the ones MY company hired were not up to the job.

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I worked with numerous veterans while in Federal service. Many, me included, rose to positions of responsibility. Conversely, many who had degrees in other fields were lacking. However, most of the veterans I worked with were Viet Nam era or later. I used the earlier positions as a learning experience to build upon. I firmly believe it was because of the work ethic I learned.

I must comment that they were likely better at spelling!

I graduated pharmacy school in 1968, with no debt. I lived at home with my parents and sister. My parents helped a lot, but after the first year I worked part time and full time summers and paid my own tuition, books and meals away from home. My son finished college in 2000, what could have been a 4 year degree took 5 due to a transfer and then class scheduling, but again debt free. He then got into law school, a private school so expensive and I introduced him to student loans which covered a little less than half of the expenses. I think he paid them off in about 4 years.

When I finished pharmacy school a bachelors in pharmacy from an accredited school was a prerequisite to taking a state board exam and licensure. When my son entered law school a bachelors was a prerequisite to entrance.

My oldest girl just finished her first semester of college. She is attending an agricultural college in South Georgia. At this time her major is agri-business though I suspect it may change before it is over with. I am happy because her GPA for the semester was a 4.0. When she went down there I wasn't sure if she would stick or be back home in a few months. She will also be attending classes this summer to catch up since she started late. Time will tell what she does with it.

Nice ^^^

TWU kid moved out her first year then moved back but we're letting it go since she's still in school.

TAMUC kid moved back for the summer yesterday, looking for an internship in his field. Thought he was gonna get a paid research internship but it looks like he's gonna be running a CNC saw or working at Walmart all summer.

No worries, they will both do fine once they graduate. By then I will have one or two more in college.

My three kids each wanted to live off-campus in apartments. So, I made them a deal: I'll pay for an apartment ONLY IF you take and pass 12 hours of summer school. They each did. This compressed a 4-year degree into three.

What many don't appreciate is that the room and board cost incurred while a kid attends school (Ivy League Schools excepted) is a full one-half or more of the total cost of college. So, anything which reduces that room-and-board cost is a true savings.

My oldest graduated high school with an associates degree so at age 21 she could have already graduated but keeps going because they're paying. Son has an on campus apartment ... two bed, two bath, living and kitchen with furniture and a private parking garage space and I don't pay a dime. It's all paid by the school. He is two years younger but only one class younger and will graduate college at age 20. I paid nothing for either of them.

A friend's son got several scholarships to a private college and worked while attending. He compressed a Master's degree into just over 3 years because he entered from high school with advanced college credits. He has no college loans and works in his chosen field as well as owning several apartment houses that he rents to travel nurses. His work schedule is 3 12 hour shifts and on his off days he works on his apartment buildings.

In contrast my friend's wife's kids all have college debt and are not working at what they went to school for. Their ambition level vs his son's ambition level are totally different. Her kids have the rainbow and unicorn mentality while his son is a realist.

I should note that, prior to returning to college in my 40's, getting my BS and MS and hiring on with the Feds for20+ years, I was in a private sector position that, in many states, required a law degree and license to practice. I started one step up from the bottom and worked my way up to middle management, was certified as an "Expert Witness" in court and lectured to law students on real estate law.

Watertender said:

A friend's son got several scholarships to a private college and worked while attending. He compressed a Master's degree into just over 3 years because he entered from high school with advanced college credits. He has no college loans and works in his chosen field as well as owning several apartment houses that he rents to travel nurses. His work schedule is 3 12 hour shifts and on his off days he works on his apartment buildings.

In contrast my friend's wife's kids all have college debt and are not working at what they went to school for. Their ambition level vs his son's ambition level are totally different. Her kids have the rainbow and unicorn mentality while his son is a realist.

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I expect that depends on the field. My wife has a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership (She was 1/2way to her MBA when I transferred) from a prestigious SoCal school (Chapman College) and a BA cum laude from Cal State Fullerton in English. She became an Escrow Officer here in Washington and had a successful career doing that for 20+ years.

Incidentally, we both took the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). She wanted to teach but became disillusioned by incompetent but tenured staff. I was able to use it while in grad school to substitute teach.