Of course, most people consider college a must. While others either can't afford it, settle just to go straight to work, or aren't under the impression that college is important at all. I myself, in my 2nd year of college, find myself wondering if 3 more years will be worth it in the end. So my question is how many people on the board have graduated or are currently attending college? Why? and has it made your life easier?
I just graduated after 5 years at Cal. State U. Long Beach, the single best university that I know in terms of sight-seeing (if you know what I mean) Did you know that the average ratio of female to male students is 60% to 40%. That's 1.5 girls per a guy like me. Besides, I'll be earning a better income because of my education too.
Just the fact of having a college degree will affect the way people feel about you. I'm not saying this is right but it's the truth. You will definitely have better opportunities in the job market because some companies won't even consider you without a degree. I would advise anyone currently in college who is on the fence about finishing to get off the fence immediately. 5/10/15 years from now you may have serious regrets about not toughing it out. My degree (Chemical Engineering) has little to do with how I make my living now (sales) but without it my income and job would be much less. To get better advice: How old are you, what is your major and what do you want to do for a living? If you left college now, what would be your next step?
I go to Baylor, so hot chicks abound! You'll get more opportunities in the work place. And when else are you gonna play beer pong as a sport among friends?
My uncle recently ran into a problem about his lack of college degree. He is in his 50s and he makes a pretty good amount of money for someone only with a high school degree, but he gets lay off a lot. He recently had a job interview. They like his resume and the work he had done in the past. The last question the interviewer asked him was where he got his college degree. My uncle said he didnt have one. The interviewer said, "Then why am i talking to you?" and then he left the room.
I'm not really sure, but it sure was fun. My advice is to put off graduation for as long as possible. It's all downhill after that.
the one thing I've learned in the last five years of life is that you don't need college to make a lot of money. if you just want to make a lot of money, I would advise you to open your eyes to other options as well as college.
I would highly recommend getting your degree. It will open up a lot more doors than just having a diploma. I would stick with it...especially if your parents are paying for it (even if you are) However...it really depends on what you want to do with your life. There are definitely careers where a degree is worthless and lots of people do very well without one.
I'm one who feels that college is highly overrated. However that might be because my field is aviation and you can earn 55-100k+ with only having a g.e.d... and if you want, only having to work 14 days out of the month and having 14 off.. in a ROW, not to mention how fun it is. Also the field is booming since the vets are going away and the demand is as high as ever, the job opportunities are plentiful as with the location options. Yep, screw college, the helicopter industry is the way to go. BTW I am in college getting a film degree.. as a fun hobby though, not for future career opportunities.
I'm also a chemical engineer, and my job is much better and pays much better than anything I think I would be able to get at 25 without a degree. That, and nothing beats getting a piece of paper that certifies my entrance in to geekdom.
There's a lot of educated fools out there. Make sure you have a plan. If your plan includes needing a college degree to get to where you want to be then by all means go for it.
Complete the coursework. Definitely get the degree. Even if its not necessarily the most accurate gauge on a person's ability to work and create money making opportunities. There's no way around it but my minor complaint with college is it can be a career in itself if you let it. But its still the best standard out there to go by. And its a decent esteem booster when completed. "College dropout" and "working on my masters" leaves 2 different impressions on others and yourself.
It's not always the case, but in general, having a degree leads to more job opportunities and higher salaries than a non-graduate would have. My mother only has a HS diploma. She worked while my dad went to college. Then they divorced and she was screwed. Whenever she has to look for a new job (about every 7-10 years), it sucks. The lack of a college degree really hurts her. I'm a musician and my degree doesn't mean jack but the knowledge I attained in college is invaluable. My degree will give me a higher pay grade when I enter the Navy. And I'm going to get my Master's and probably my Doctorate and get a college teaching job (they all want Doctorates).
If you want to make a decent amount of money and don't have anything else going for you (music or personal small business), then a college degree is extremely important. However, make sure you get your degree in something there are job opportunities out there for. I am at McCombs at UT majoring in Finance and Accounting, but I have seen tons and tons of ppl at UT who are majoring in stuff that they don't get paid much for after graduation. Most of them do it for the love of that particular field so all power to them. As for me, I like my field and more importantly I want to make money after I graduate. I just finished my second year and college has already started showing results by getting me a decent internship and hopefully more opportunities are ahead. HOOK 'EM
He has enough. You better stay in school you loser. It's not fair, and you should know it would be worth it. It doesn't cost you anything but time. Love ya!
School gives u time to grow. It also opens a lot of doors if you don't exactly embrace the life of an entrepreneur.
Another chemical engineer here. With tuition soaring to new highs every year, more and more people are considering whether or not attending college is financially viable. Many people can get by in the early years without a degree, but I think it eventually catches up to them if they don't plan ahead, get laid off, or don't have a stable job, as mentioned earlier in the thread. To the other ChE's on the board, how many of y'all have gone into refining?
