Why college? Why Bother?

[Trivun]

Bottom line: Go to school for what you want to learn, not What pays more.

Anyone who pursues education for the sake of wealth over the dreams of doing what they love is an idiot.
Flat out, straight up.
It's just a waste.

I went to school for Radio Broadcasting. I'm making far far less then most people with full time jobs. My wife and I barely make ends meet, with every dollar of every paycheque accounted for.
But I love my job, and wouldn't trade it for any other position. I love what I do! I love going to work! Even on the worst of days, where I get frustrated and angry, I wouldn't even dream of quitting.

I couldn't imagine doing something I hated day in and day out. I spend 8 hours a day at work!

If you're happy with a job that others might think 'low class', then good on you and stuff the rest of 'em.

Baby Tea, I agree with you completely. I do Mathematics at university, I'm in the second year of my BSc and I'm hoping to do a Year In Industry (basically, a paid internship in my third year with some company, returning to the third year of my course in my fourth year instead). Hopefully I can get a p[lacement with a local games developer, preferably near my hometown but if not then Rockstar have offices in my adopted city, Leeds. My ambition is to be a games developer, idelally level design or perhaps programming. I've also been told that maths is a highly sought after degree among people attempting to entrer the gaming industry.

But that isn't the sole reason I chose to do maths. Basically, I love the subject. It's the only thing I really enjoyed at school and was any good at, and gaming has been my passion since I ws about six years old. I have no idea how much develoeprs earn, if it's a lot then that's all well and good and I'll be able to fulfill my dream of living in a swanky Docklands apartment near Canary Wharf. If not, then never mind, at least I'll be doing what I love. But game development, and a maths degree, are the things I do because I love doing them.

That said, in the recession (the UK has been pretty badly hit), I've heard that at universities a lot of people are now staying on because they know they can't get a job elsewhere. Apparently more and more people are doing doctorates and taking up research posts and living on their student loans because if they leave the university system they can't find work now. Which means they instead stay on and live off the government and the universities and basically put off the hunt for an actual job for as long as possible, until the job market is easier to navigate and it's easier to find work. I won't be doing that, but it makes you think, is it really worth it, staying on instead of spending your time trying to find work? At least with a Year In Industry degree I'll have a better chance, hopefully, of getting work, and have a year in which to make contacts and make a name for myself within the gaming industry before I have to actually start finding a permanant position somewhere...

 

[WolfThomas]

Look I don't mean to be skeptical or whatever to those looking to pursue college for a better education. But these days, unless the career you're going into pays well its not going to be worth it in the long run. Take for instance a career in medicine. Everyone I met who is in school for medicine is in it for the money, not because they like it. They know if they get into a field that they like it will never be able to pay the bills.

Well I'm studying medicine not for the money, but really the job security, I don't want to worry about having five different jobs in my life. I want something that allows me to work anywhere.

 

[Tharwen]

ummmmmm......

"you could have convinced an Urgal to become a farmer tonight."?

success!

exactly

Now cookies to those get the reference.....

*Joins the cookie queue*

 

[teebeeohh]

ok, I'm from Germany so things around here are a little different (you have a spend 3 years learning any job to earn more than like 5-6? an hour). plus if you don't get any higher education earning some decent money is a real *****.
I just started university and if I do everything just right they will let me leave in 2014 as an engineer. So far I really like it cause university is a nice combination of fun and challenge so I am really doing what I do cause I like it (plus i like the the 50-60k anual salary I will be having from year 1).

sry for any mistakes or strange sentences, i just came home and really wanted to get this done befre falling into bed

 

[Flishiz]

Who says they won't like it? I want to work as a lawyer in the financial industry and while my pupils are turning into convenient little dollar signs, I actually WANT to. Getting the big bucks means earning it, unless you just suck at your job and lose money and destroy the Earth and have good friends in Washington and you work for AIG. Point is, education is key to being able to do what you want. So some blue collar jobs may pay more. If that's the point, do that. Just think though, do you really WANT to work your body while letting your mind be neglected from its potential?

 

[bluepilot]

If you go to a good University, and learn a real skill such as medicine, law, engineering, languages e.t.c. you will get a very very good job in the near future.

Saying that, I left University with a good job and gave it up for research. Money isn`t everthing

Finally, higher education brings status.

 

[Epicurus]

Go to school for what you want to learn, not What pays more. Because your probably going to work at a job like mine to pay the bills and use your education for a hobby.

You could always do both, which is what I'm doing.

At my university I'm doing A Bachelor of Computing and a Bachelor of Arts, my majors being Games Technology (sounds easy, but it's the most programming heavy CompSci major, so it turns out being pretty difficult, plus you still get all the regular Computer Science qualifications out of it), Modern History and Philosophy. It's five years altogether, not including an Honours dissertation, which is a pretty long time, but I'm doing things I enjoy and that will serve me later in my career choices.

 

[chiggerwood]

Why? because we're a paper happy society that wouldn't know a hard working intelligent person from a stick in our ass.

 

[Guitarmasterx7]

It's almost fucking impossible to make living wages off a job that doesn't require a college degree.

 

[Beartrucci]

ummmmmm......

"you could have convinced an Urgal to become a farmer tonight."?

success!

exactly

Now cookies to those get the reference.....

Eragon

/thread

has this cookie been eaten before?

I don't care, you better split it in half, or else.......

 

[TriGGeR_HaPPy]

In response to the topic name: Because I'd enjoy it. Both the experience of living on campus, and the jobs it will get me into.

Actually, that's mostly my response to the questions in your OP too... Sorry! Not sure what else to say.
But, yea. Because I'd enjoy it. ^_^

 

[Erana]

Why college?

...Would it be bad if I said, "To avoid Highschool"?

 

[dietpeachsnapple]

I must respectfully disagree.

I am in school so I can become a college professor.

I COULD work in a warehouse. I COULD make as much if not more than most starting professor positions BUT... I wouldn't love the work. I love the pace of academia. I love the idea of being paid for academia.

I do not like the pace of other work, and I do not like the mind numbing simplicity of other work. I could damn well become a custodian and make double minimum wage for the next 30 years before I retire, BUT, I would slowly shrivel into a jaded husk of malcontent and stupidity. I would entertain 'rational' and 'easy' ways of thinking.

Debt? Oh yes, plenty. A worthy investment?

I feel so.

 

[wolfy098]

ummmmmm......

"you could have convinced an Urgal to become a farmer tonight."?

success!

exactly

Now cookies to those get the reference.....

Is it when that black woman in the eragon series gives a speech?

No it's when Eragons cousin: Roran convinces everyone but a few to leave Carvahall
a friend of his tells him this as a compliment

 

[Lost In The Void]

I am currently pursuing a B of A [though I'm torn about which major to do, right now it's Poli Sci], so that I can get my Law Degree. I am doing this to become a Crown attorney, because that's what I enjoy, picking apart people's arguments, in my opinion, it's only money, and I'd rather die poor and happy, then rich and hating my job [not saying you do] but it's a trend I've noticed of late.

 

[Nickolai77]

Why go and study at a university?

1)Because you genuinely like the subject your studying
2)For the experience (friend's, meeting new people, have a highly active social life)
3)Long term-benefits (chances are you can get a good graduate job (which pays more than blue collar work and make up for your initial losses)
4)For the status

 

[secretsantaone]

Do languages degree in French and Italian.
Do an insanely fun course including a year abroad.
Graduate and either get a job in international business or move to the south of France and get a job in translating.

Enjoy the rest of your life.

Well, that's the plan.