I don't work in my degree field, but I have a job I wouldn't have if I didn't have a degree in something.

(08-26-2013 09:42 AM)Smaug Wrote:  I don't work in my degree field, but I have a job I wouldn't have if I didn't have a degree in something.

But how much of this is artificial demand?

Does successfully performing your job really require a college education? Or is it a requisite created totally by HR?

(08-26-2013 09:46 AM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(08-26-2013 09:42 AM)Smaug Wrote:  I don't work in my degree field, but I have a job I wouldn't have if I didn't have a degree in something.

But how much of this is artificial demand?

Does successfully performing your job really require a college education? Or is it a requisite created totally by HR?

It's a little more cerebral than your average high school grad's skill set, but I get you. I don't know if it's an artificial demand, or an HR gimmick, but it's pretty universal in the field.

(08-26-2013 09:52 AM)Smaug Wrote:  

(08-26-2013 09:46 AM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(08-26-2013 09:42 AM)Smaug Wrote:  I don't work in my degree field, but I have a job I wouldn't have if I didn't have a degree in something.

But how much of this is artificial demand?

Does successfully performing your job really require a college education? Or is it a requisite created totally by HR?

It's a little more cerebral than your average high school grad's skill set, but I get you. I don't know if it's an artificial demand, or an HR gimmick, but it's pretty universal in the field.

I'm not denegrating the job, or you. You're obviously capable of doing it...but could you have learned those skills with OJT, or w/ a few classes or a certification approach?

A college degree has become universal in many fields, which is exactly why the analysis that says "A college graduate will make $1M more in a lifetime" is flawed.

The higher ed bubble has been growing for decades. And it is responsible for much of the burden the middle class has seen for years, and has been a true liability on the economy.

(08-26-2013 10:11 AM)DrTorch Wrote:  I'm not denegrating the job, or you. You're obviously capable of doing it.

I didn't take it that way. It's all good.

Quote:..but could you have learned those skills with OJT, or w/ a few classes or a certification approach?

Probably.

(08-22-2013 04:46 PM)Smaug Wrote:  Guess you have to more clearly define "worth it".

Interesting article on the subject.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/heres-wh...6C10936329

From the article: Can you see where the error is? LOL

Quote:Here’s the stereotype: Across the country, basements are full of 20- and 30-somethings who graduated from college and now live with mom and mad because they can’t find a job.

Hell yeah college is worth it. Just spent two weeks on the UW-Madison campus and the scenery was absolutely amazing.

(08-26-2013 07:40 AM)bevotex Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 04:49 PM)oklalittledixie Wrote:  It's worth it if you can get a job after graduation. I had it to do over again, I would get my degree in something like computer science, graphic design or engineering instead of a BA in advertising and journalism. The market has changed since I graduated in 2005. You need to have a clear path and a good understanding of the opportunities after graduation when picking a course of study.

It used to be that any degree would give you a doorway in. That isn't necessarily the case these days. Today's job market is very skill targeted.

I graduated with a BS in Computer Science in 1982. Back then you could have an emphasis in either system design or software. I went the system design route because software bores the crap out of me. I immediately went to work for a research and development company designing robotics for commercial nuclear power applications, did that for about 3 years when I was hired by GE Nuclear, where they pushed me into management, been in management ever since where I have never used my CS degree.

The cost of college is expensive; however, the cost of NOT getting a college education is also quite high. It's no secret the earning power of non college grads, on average, has lagged the earning power of college grads for decades. The problem is folks that take on high college debt and then don't graduate.