I just read a census figure

[purr]

I was the first on my mother's side to graduate from high school never mind college my mother and father had 8th grade educations actually went to school together and worked on a local chicken farm till they were old enough to get work at a manufacturing plant. My mother worked for over 25 yrs at a ring binder plant on an eyelet machine,mind numbing work, she quit because her dr. told her to give my sister to an institution cause the stress of having a kid with CP was killing her.She quit her job instead.
My father worked in the rubber division of titlest (golf balls) for over 35 yrs.
I am an artist no formal training my DH is a lineman, union organizer and was elected the president of his local union at the beginning of this year.
The only college he has is a few weeks at the labor college.None of the boys in his family go to college, they all are lured away by the paycheck they see their father's getting.
And then us women do nothing but worry about them, college would be much safer.
I am hoping my grandchildren will make it to college.I'm am going to make sure they can afford it if that's what they want.

 

[purr]

DH went to several lineman colleges where they are charging people several thousand as in $7000 and up to learn how to be a power lineman,let me just say that the IBEW gives you on the job training for this the only thing you pay for is your books for $225.
So if there is anyone out there who was thinking of becoming a lineman or woman.Here's the site
http://neat1968.org/

 

[wasatusay]

In my own opinion.
Education is a good thing. How much and what kind of education is a different story. I think our school systems are far from being the best. Teachers that are under paid, teachers that are great, some that should not be teachers. Schools that are too slow for the smartest of children and too fast for the slowest. Most schools can not cater to individual students and their abilities. Some drop out from boredom, some from lack of interest, some because they fall behind and feel helpless to catch up the list goes on and on.
People who have a driving force in them for a career that requires certain education make it a priority in their life. If everyone had the same dreams and desires we would not have, farmers, auto mechanics, plumbers, stay at home moms, truck drivers, fishermen, carpenters, etc…etc…etc.
Everyone has a different drive, dream and/or talents that do not require college educations to be the best there is. I think society puts labels on everyone and everything and if you are not that cookie cutter image you are not prefect. Well bull pucky! I think that when you have love, a place to call home, are comfortable with your life, have friends to enjoy, can pay your bills with a little to stash away, deep down your really are happy but society tells you your not. Sure we all wish we had a million dollars but really what would you do with it? Move to a big house, away from your friends, live in a big neighborhood when you really would rather be in a smaller house with an acre or 4 or 5. Putter around the yard with your chickens or mow the grass because it is over a ¼ inch high and does not meet the neighborhood standards?
I have a HS education, did 10 1\\2 years in the military. I have a life education. I can cook a good meal, grow food, I can build a house from the ground up, fix almost anything that breaks and not pay someone else to do it. I can tear down aircraft and put them back together, the same with any car, truck or bike. I have never, not tried to do anything. I could work at a job I hate and make a few extra dollars or work at a job I love and make a few less. Is money worth more than happiness?
In reality, if I had a million dollars I would live in the same size house with a few acres like I do, keep my friends and do the same things I love to do now.
I know…someone is saying, “that’s only because you don’t have money”. Not true. I have been poor as dirt, struggling everyday and to where I am now. I could go out and buy a brand new and not owe a penny. But I choose not to. I like my truck, I like my 40 something year old house, sure its small and sometimes cramped but it keeps me grounded and I am happy when I go to bed and happy when I wake up.
The biggest problem I see is when someone gives up on their dream of what makes them happy because someone else labels them not good enough because of a piece of paper. The door swings both ways, you should never be jealous of anyone who does have the dream and needs years of education. The world be a lousy place with out people who have those dreams and drive.
I catch myself rambling so I will stop. I am in no way against higher education, I am 100% for it, just don't look down on people who have a different kind of higher education that was not learned in a class room.

 

[mountaintopchicken]

Being a farmer is one of the top 10 most dangerous professions, physically and financially. Who else would put all their money in the ground, hoping the weather cooperates and knowing they wont be paid for 4-6 months, if the economy cooperates. I am forever proud to say Im a farmers daughter, my dad wasnt around much or in a good mood when he was but I have mounds of respect for him. My son will inherit the farm and knows one can no longer survive without a full time job as well. We cant survive without farmers and garbage men and scientists and educators. Lets just equally appreciate everyone for what they do. You need your mechanic as much as you need your Dr.

True. But also, let's not make assumptions about the education level of all farmers (this is not directed at the person who posted this, necessarily, just speaking generally). I have always loved farming and have worked on many different farms. One vegetable farmer I worked for had a Master's degree in Plant and Soil Science, one orchard manager I worked for had a doctorate from Cornell, and I know of a local orchard owner with a PhD.

There seems to be an 'us and them' assumption in a lot of posts (to clarify, not the one I quoted) - that higher education = elite, and probably wealthy. But of course that's not always the case, is it? People with a higher education are just people who have worked hard towards one particular goal. And it's very possible to have an advanced degree and be poor as a church mouse, depending on what you go into. I think it's weird to generalize about all people with advanced degrees.​

 

[chickiebaby]

PineBurrowPeeps, you are an amazing woman, and I bet you're a great Mom too. I think you are the most impressive person who's posted on this forum. You are so self-educated, and yet you show so much respect for others' choices too.

Rock on, PineBurrow!

 

[JennsPeeps]

I have had many years of college education. Some of it I did for personal gratification, and others I did for career advancement.

Looking at the chart the OP put up of the average salaries based on the level of education, I'm below average. I chose to work for a university, which I love. My students graduate and make WAY more money than I do. It would be great to make 6 figures... but at what cost?

Do I want to give up 2 years of my life to go through a grueling educational experience? nope
Would I like to work 80 hrs/wk to bring home $80-90k? not really (it would decrease my hourly income!)
Do I want to travel extensively away from my home and family? no

I've made choices about my life of which I'm proud. I worked hard to get my education. I'm not better than anyone for having spent ## years in a classroom.

But I am happy.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Quote:
*CHOKES and spits tea on the screen*

Thank very much Chickiebaby, I'm seriously flattered. I don't even know how to react to a compliment of that magnitude!

I think everyone here is absolutly amazing and we make up a great web family, I am impressed by people here on BYC on a daily basis. It's why I keep coming back!

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Quote:
That's a very nice way to put it.

Just in general (my .02)...

You can't learn some jobs in a classroom, and you can't learn other jobs by staying at home or dropping out of school. It all depends on what your personal goals are and what you want out of life, and what makes you the happiest.

If you do the best you can at the job you have, then no one can complain about you and you'll be able to be proud of yourself. If you don't like your job, though, it's no one's fault but yours that you aren't doing something else.

The statistic for master's degrees is something like 2-5% of the population. Ph.Ds. are even less than that, maybe <1%.

 

[ams3651]

Quote:
True. But also, let's not make assumptions about the education level of all farmers (this is not directed at the person who posted this, necessarily, just speaking generally). I have always loved farming and have worked on many different farms. One vegetable farmer I worked for had a Master's degree in Plant and Soil Science, one orchard manager I worked for had a doctorate from Cornell, and I know of a local orchard owner with a PhD.

There seems to be an 'us and them' assumption in a lot of posts (to clarify, not the one I quoted) - that higher education = elite, and probably wealthy. But of course that's not always the case, is it? People with a higher education are just people who have worked hard towards one particular goal. And it's very possible to have an advanced degree and be poor as a church mouse, depending on what you go into. I think it's weird to generalize about all people with advanced degrees.

just to add, I didnt go to college because Im not that type, Im hands on. Like my dad and my son. Ive known rich people who never went to college and poor ones who did. My dad didnt but he can fix a car, fix a tractor, fix a corn planter, tell by the kernel of corn in his teeth if its ready to harvest, just knows the right time to plant everything from corn to wheat to sunflowers. He's not so good at some things and others he knows everything about. Maybe wealth is = to knowledge not schooling. Some gain knowledge in school, some in life. It all depends what your called to do. We have farm in the blood, but just to add I also have a sister about to graduate law school, its what she wants to do.

This an interesting thread, glad to see everyone is being respectful.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Quote:
That's a very nice way to put it.

Just in general (my .02)...

You can't learn some jobs in a classroom, and you can't learn other jobs by staying at home or dropping out of school. It all depends on what your personal goals are and what you want out of life, and what makes you the happiest.

.

This is great Chicken Lady, and so true!