[WentInsane]

Well.. getting a GED is not dropping out, some may say it is, but its equivalent to a diploma. You have doen training which has led you to where you are currently, so that should count for something. I never thought of dropping out, but i didnt like high school. I got my GED a year and a half early. And then started tech school when I was supposed to be a senior. Now I make a pretty decent amount of money doing what i enjoy. School and/or training is important.. true, but where some succeed others fail and vice versa. Bigest problem with a lot of people that go thru school and colelge and are handed everything while going to school, think that they are going to start making 6 digits a year doing whatever, but work eperiences/street smarts are as important as school.

 

[IowaSQ]

education alone doesn't get you places, hard work gets you places....hard work and more education gets you more places...all depends where you want to go..

btw: i learned MUCH more in college outside of class than i did in it, and the 40K for that was well worth it.

 

[Bad_banana]

My parents love my grades, I cheated on every test, had the answers to every exam, and I go to a nationally reconized high school, or did. I love history, I love facts, I love physics. Will I teach it?? Maybe after I have retired and only in college.

 

[Tex]

I agree with you too. Schooling blows balls. I struggled through math and history all my life, everything else I was good at. I applied for numerous shcolorships and got none, applied for financial aid, got none, mom made too much money. She had to pay for my entre college education. I got my 2 year degree and barely graduated two and a half years later. Now looking back, I have gotten no use out of the two and a half years of college, none. I got a good job at a hospital working in maintenance and grounds keeping, worked there for 6 years. Was fairly established and well liked. Now I have a awesome job as a ditch rider and am moving up the seniority list quick and making good bucks. Own a house, nice truck, nice car......
Glad you seemed to make it successful, many in your situation dont get very far in life.:wave:

 

[Geoff]

IMHO College is necessary these days. NO it does not make you smart by any means. I know some PHd's who are seemingly morons.

But I can tell you regardless of your other achievements many employers, like mine won't even interview you unless you have a BS in something. Its not always even the subject that they care about, but more the achievement of completing the degree

Even if you don't need a degree for what you are currently doing it will only help you in the future especially if you change your mind about what you want to do with your life.

 

[BubbainAK]

I recently saw an article on just how much a college degree is worth in today's job market & honestly, unless you were going to work in your degree field (many don't), it only added another 6-8 thousand annually, and there is a shortage of people willing to do actual work that didn't require a degree, making those who are willing a hot commodity. I'm in the process of finishing my BS degree, 20 years after H/S. Like some, I tried college, decided it wasn't for me, so I worked as a security guard, Kwiki Mart, logging, natural gas rig, marina manager, coal mine and carnie for about 3 years after high school. It was really interesting & gave me gobs of stories to tell. I finally decided on the Army & will be able to retire in about 3 years. Unlike many of my coworkers in my situation who resort to Gov contractor after retirement, I am tired of working on helicopters & am planning on an entire change of profession. I plan on teaching school, probably either J/H or H/S (wanted to find a job bass fishing, but those are few & far between). While I am proof that college isn't for everyone, don't be too obstinate to admit that it could help you in the event of an accident or provide an opportunity to just try something different. In the end, it is just a piece of paper, but it shows that you had the will to start & finish something.

 

[Dustinmc15]

College worked out great for me. Not only for the education, but the experiences as well. I was able to play competetive sports for 4 more years as well as make some life long friends. College was a lot of fun. Without my degree I know I would be making about half what I make know. That is not true for everyone, but in my field (finance) a BS degree is absolutely necessary. I plan on going back to school in 2 years to get my MBA. My opinion is that getting a college degree doesnt guarantee you will make more money, but it will give you more options.

 

[vartz04]

well for me, a college degree is the difference between being a labor for many years then possibly having a shot at managing construction jobs or just going straight into it. Right now i make 15 bucks an hour as a intern but without a BS id start making that right now, the degree means $24 an hour and benifits, a company truck phone laptop ect. you did good for yourself but your story is the exception not the norm

 

[Bad_banana]

I chose community college. I have spent maybe 3k, and am almost at my associates with a 2.78 gpa. I am just taking my time through school and going the cheap way. He'll, I have taken a year off, I graduated highschool in 04

 

[CodyH18]

I chose community college. I have spent maybe 3k, and am almost at my associates with a 2.78 gpa. I am just taking my time through school and going the cheap way. He'll, I have taken a year off, I graduated highschool in 04

@Bad_banana My niece is finishing high school next year so she's already thinking what's next for her, specifically debt and college or community/trade school and no debt. I was looking at the differences (mind you I never went to college) and found your post. First I thought "3k for an associate sounds very good but that was back then, surely tuitions must be crazy high even for community colleges".... well, a quick internet search proved me wrong.... in a good way. I found a current article that says that by going toa community college a student can save 33k+ in the first two years. I mean that's huge. Maybe it's me and my lack of college experience but I've seen these days you can virtually learn anything off the internet, there are basically every video tutorial of every topic you might think from math classes, history, physics, how to assemble a car engine from scratch.. you name it. These days she's been getting free trigonometry tutor help in this website instantly. Of course there are profession that require 4+ education like surgeons I'm okay with those.

Anyways, I know it's a long shot but I'd like to hear you experienced so far after you graduated. You must have graduated '09 or '10. How was your life after getting your degree and saving money compared to college? Did you ever decide to take more years or perhaps take other field of education? Whatever you can tell me I'd help me when giving some advice to me niece

 

[immattj]

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