I just read a census figure

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
I was reading wanted ads for the local power plant and they were looking for plant maintenance techs, a basic blue collar job, doing general repair duties around the plant. The minimum requirement was for an AS in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or they may consider somebody with several years industrial plant maintenance experience. They made it sound like they preferred the piece of paper and no experience to an applicant with experience...

What should that tell a young person looking for a job? While that piece of paper seems inconsequential , it can be your ticket into a job for which you have little experience with.

I decided after 15 years of working as power linesman for the Air Force that I wanted to retrain to a different job, an enlisted aviator position. I wanted to try something different and wanted to contribute more to the war effort. I decided I wanted to be a Flight Engineer. The problem was that the regulations stated that to retrain to this job I had to have a background in aircraft maintenance, which I did not. I did find a sidenote that said they would accept applicants if they had a private pilot license. I went down to the local flying club, spent several months getting a flying license and went and applied for the job which I have been doing for the past five years.

While those education credentials can sometimes seem inconsequential on the job, they can definitely help along the way.

 

[ibpboo]

No degree here. I did attend jc for a year, after I had been out of hs for a year. It was free back then, only had to pay for books. I really wish I would of thought of something to major in and got it done. I have a couple of the basics classes, and sometimes I think I should go back to school, but cost is so high now, if only I would of known I had it so good back then, being free and all.

 

[NurseNettie]

I have WHAT in my yard? :

That to me doesn't make any sense.

It said that in 2006 (I couldn't get the 2007 table to open)
only 27% of Americans had a bachelors degree or higher.

Working in academia it is hard for me to imagine that. I really don't mean to sound like an "elitist snob" I just did not realize the number was that low! They must all live here!

How many people on here do NOT have a bachelors degree?

Does anyone know of any figures that contest this data?

I don't find it surprising at all. School costs so much money, that even those who stat out with a Bachelors in mind often don't finish.​

 

[chickens4jojo]

I have a BA. My husband had a AS Degree & misc. certifications.

I think you have to tailor your education to your goals. Selling higher education in this country is huge business & does not always mean one is "smarter" or wiser than one without a "higher" education~~or that you will get a high paying job (or any job) when you finish college.

Some of the wisest, most interesting people I know who have great careers have high school educations & have educated themselves.

Also, so much of what I have learned through the years, I learned on my own, including here on BYC.

JMHO

 

[Rhett&SarahsMom]

I dont, but my husband does.
However I did get my job at Harvard Business School in the copyright dept, which "required" a Bachelors; with a mere Associates from a community college. And am now working e commerce after starting and successfully running several business's. Both online and not.

in other words. I dont think a Bachelors degree matters for much if you are a hard worker and present yourself professionally.

 

[Mahonri]

BA in Biology. (w/ a minor in Spanish)
DDS

Some folks call me Doctor.

While I don't think education should be free, I'm grateful that my wife and all of my sisters and sister-in-laws have bachelors degrees. It is a blessing for all of them.

My dad never got a degree and was one of the smartest men I've ever known. He made certain that all seven of his children got advanced degrees.

 

[ChickenToes]

I don't have a degree. My husband went to technical school.

Even if I wanted to go to college (which I don't, I have no clue what I would want a degree in) I couldn't afford it without ending up in massive debt.

 

[pips&peeps]

No degree here either. I found it more lucrative to work than to go to college. I had bills to pay.

I almost had an AA degree, just a couple more credits. The last job I worked at six years ago paid me $18.00 an hour.

 

[Linda in San Diego]

As a teacher, I assume all of my students will go to college. But I also know that is not a given for all students, but I think all students should have the opportunity - higher education should be available and affordable - health care too while I am thinking about it!

My kids are and were band geeks, and I think a higher percent of those students moved into the college track. But I must admit I was shocked when one young lady told me her dream was to attend beauty school after her graduation. I guess that counts for a lot, she knew what she wanted to do and how to get there. LOL, I have one son who is headed towards a bio degree so he can continue to work in the zoo and the other son has no idea what he wants to do but he is working on completing the first 2 years of undergrad work, so hopefully he will know when that is done.

 

[kodiakchicken]

Quote:
I have to disagree with this statement. College, education at any level, for that matter, is never a waste. It's what you do with it that proves it's value or not.

I have a BS that took me 5 years to acquire. I knew what I wanted to study, but I still had to "waste" time taking the electives. While Native American Religion and Sociology have absolutely nothing to do with my profession, I feel like those classes broadened my horizons and made me more open to many of the life lessons I've since acquired.

That being said, I'm not sure what the term "real" profession means. I don't think college is necessary, as many others have stated, but knowing what you want is. My brother never graduated high school and he makes more working in the oil fields that I make.

The two most important things I learned in college were these:

1) Never pass up any experience that's offered to you.
2) Don't think have a degree means you don't have to pay your dues. You'll learn more on your climb up the ladder than you will in the classroom.