College Degree and Jobs

[tec71]

The first thing I tell kids looking at majors is to try to underrstand the types of careers that come out of them, and most importantly the benefits and burdens of those jobs. For example, do you have to move somewhere you don't want to have to move? It never ceases to amaze me when they haven't taken that into consideration. I used to talk about careers at high schools a lot. I think I got myself uninvited because I would always start by recommending that 1/3 or more of the kids consider some sort of two year degree, apprenticeship program, lineworker school, brick laying or other skilled trade, anything that will get them an actual career. Apparently that's not what the guidance counselors wanted HS kids to hear cause after a while I didn't get asked back.. But seriously the world need ditch diggers too.

[wxman1]

The first thing I tell kids looking at majors is to try to underrstand the types of careers that come out of them, and most importantly the benefits and burdens of those jobs. For example, do you have to move somewhere you don't want to have to move? It never ceases to amaze me when they haven't taken that into consideration. I used to talk about careers at high schools a lot. I think I got myself uninvited because I would always start by recommending that 1/3 or more of the kids consider some sort of two year degree, apprenticeship program, lineworker school, brick laying or other skilled trade, anything that will get them an actual career. Apparently that's not what the guidance counselors wanted HS kids to hear cause after a while I didn't get asked back.. But seriously the world need ditch diggers too.

I do agree with what your saying but there are also a good number of high school students that will naturally fall into those careers. I graduated from Linn-Mar, 420-430 in my graduating class, yes a good number of us went onto college but there are also a good number that I know that are doing the trade school stuff or just working. They just aren't driven to go to college for this long or they know what they want and that suits them. Schools will also look better by having more kids go to college and graduate then if they don't so they naturally want their graduates to go on to higher education and succeed just like ISU want's us to do, it makes the University look better and if your successful than hopefully you will make enough money that you can give back and keep the circle going.

[Clonehomer]

The first thing I tell kids looking at majors is to try to underrstand the types of careers that come out of them, and most importantly the benefits and burdens of those jobs. For example, do you have to move somewhere you don't want to have to move? It never ceases to amaze me when they haven't taken that into consideration. I used to talk about careers at high schools a lot. I think I got myself uninvited because I would always start by recommending that 1/3 or more of the kids consider some sort of two year degree, apprenticeship program, lineworker school, brick laying or other skilled trade, anything that will get them an actual career. Apparently that's not what the guidance counselors wanted HS kids to hear cause after a while I didn't get asked back.. But seriously the world need ditch diggers too.

In addition, with the rising price of the state universities we're going to see a lot more people go to those two year degree programs and then move on to a four year degree. This especially being true with kids that don't know exactly what they want to do. Before, it was often the case where they went to a four year school and then figured out what they wanted to do. Taking an extra year because you decided to switch majors is a lot more costly now than it was just 5-10 years ago.

[St810s]

Haha Barleys bar in CB is full of Iowa Grads bartending.....


just saying.....

Ha. So true.

[el tornado]

True that going to college these days is probably asking for a lot of debt and no job... and I likely wouldn't do it even though I loved ISU in the late 80's.

But if the only reason to go to college is to be practical and get a job, then don't go at all. In fact drop out of school in 9th grade and start working. Don't buy a car, live close to your job so that you can walk. Don't go on vacation, just read about it or watch tv. Don't have a lot of kids, just babysit every once in a while. The list goes on and on.

At what point should you stop being practical? There is no right answer. At some point you have to make some decisions that are in your best interest, and some that you are best interested in.

[mramseyISU]

Actually some of those folks are some of the worst people skills I've delt with. I've met some darn rude engineers.

That describes our R&D Lab manager to a T. I've seen him picking his nose in plain view of everybody and some test witness will walk in and he'll try to shake the guys hand right after he's got his finger out of his nose. Then again he did get his engineering degree from Nebraska.

[cyclone13]

In addition, with the rising price of the state universities we're going to see a lot more people go to those two year degree programs and then move on to a four year degree. This especially being true with kids that don't know exactly what they want to do. Before, it was often the case where they went to a four year school and then figured out what they wanted to do. Taking an extra year because you decided to switch majors is a lot more costly now than it was just 5-10 years ago.

High Schools and Parents could be more proactive to inform HS students on this.

And again, there are a lot of issues: financial literacy, maturity, etc.

[drmwevr08]

That describes our R&D Lab manager to a T. I've seen him picking his nose in plain view of everybody and some test witness will walk in and he'll try to shake the guys hand right after he's got his finger out of his nose. Then again he did get his engineering degree from Nebraska.

Its because most engineers are socially ********. Those of us who deal with them regularly accept this and work around it! I'd still rather work with an awkward engineer than a slick attorney whose got great people skills, if you dont mind a lot of BS.