Housing market

[BCClone]

You said median so I Googled median, and it is by household.

Household Income by Year: Average, Median, One Percent, and Calculator

See median & average household income by year (1968-2024) in the United States. Also, a tool to compare your income to any year + optional inflation.

dqydj.com

Using those, income is 22% above the inflation rate. We keep hearing that it’s not keeping up, but that shows it’s surpassing it.

 

[ClonesFTW]

 

[Sigmapolis]

Fewer people should go to college -- that'd help a lot with the student loan "crisis."

42.6% of college graduates in the U.S. are underemployed --

https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market/college-labor-market_compare-majors.html

Criminal justice is >70% and performing arts is >60% with a ton in the ~50% range.

It is quite the huge sink of time and money, both for individuals and society overall, when the labor market is clearly signaling it doesn't need more four-year graduates. Maybe these numbers have softened a bit in the past two years, but it's pretty clear we're way past the point of diminishing returns with university educations and might be into the negative returns territory with the time and money sunk into it.

 

[BCClone]

Pulled up median house prices. 94 it was210k inflation adjusted. Today is 353k. 3% was a very reasonable 30 year rate before the hikes. I remember mortgages being 8-9% when I left college.

Which would you prefer?

 

[BCClone]

Student debt in 94 10,349 inflation 20,670
Student debt now 31,000

Interest rate I had 8%
Interest rate before the 0% hit 2.75%.

Over 10 years, which do you prefer? Now realize the wage graph showed a 22% increase in median income over inflation.

Yes, debt and prices are higher, but when you calculate interest rates on these, guess what happens. They basically line up.

 

[simply1]

A lot of predictions rolling in

 

[besserheimerphat]

Fewer people should go to college -- that'd help a lot with the student loan "crisis."

42.6% of college graduates in the U.S. are underemployed --

https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market/college-labor-market_compare-majors.html

Criminal justice is >70% and performing arts is >60% with a ton in the ~50% range.

It is quite the huge sink of time and money, both for individuals and society overall, when the labor market is clearly signaling it doesn't need more four-year graduates. Maybe these numbers have softened a bit in the past two years, but it's pretty clear we're way past the point of diminishing returns with university educations and might be into the negative returns territory with the time and money sunk into it.

Tell employers to stop requiring degrees.

There are a lot of people who go to school - even "cheap" JUCO or CC - and don't end up graduating. But they still have education debt. Even if it's not student loans, it could be credit card debt for books or materials. And without getting that piece of paper, they aren't realizing the wage benefits.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Tell employers to stop requiring degrees.

There are a lot of people who go to school - even "cheap" JUCO or CC - and don't end up graduating. But they still have education debt. Even if it's not student loans, it could be credit card debt for books or materials. And without getting that piece of paper, they aren't realizing the wage benefits.

They require degrees because they can. It's a basic filter, like graduating high school used to be.

 

[Dr.bannedman]

They require degrees because they can. It's a basic filter, like graduating high school used to be.

i love seeing *requirements M.s.* $35,000 year. HA

 

[Cyclonepride]

i love seeing *requirements M.s.* $35,000 year. HA

Yeah, my son has been trying to break into computer programming, and entry level jobs require a degree (naturally) and 2 or 3 years experience. *****, if I had 3 years of experience, I'm not looking for an entry level job.

 

[madguy30]

Yeah, my son has been trying to break into computer programming, and entry level jobs require a degree (naturally) and 2 or 3 years experience. *****, if I had 3 years of experience, I'm not looking for an entry level job.

I'm a believer that there should be something for a requirement for jobs but I'm not sure where the line is.

I know plenty of people that have more degrees/'qualifications' than they can count (and they tend to be the type that needs to tell you about all of these qualifications) but struggle with etiquette, simple problem solving, etc.

And then I know plenty of people that could do lots of jobs very well but don't have the means/time to get the degree or whatever.

 

[BCClone]

Yeah, my son has been trying to break into computer programming, and entry level jobs require a degree (naturally) and 2 or 3 years experience. *****, if I had 3 years of experience, I'm not looking for an entry level job.

Back around 2000, I went back to school part time (class was considered my lunch break) for MIS at a local school. I finished the basic A.A. requirements and in the last programming class we were informed that a business in the general area, and in Ames also I believe, would hire any of us. Back then the I.T world was still in its youth stage and it was kinda the wild west, you can write a string of code to do anything and they would hire you. Probably why there were so many glitches and viruses worked so well, they had some very low end writers

 

[RLD4ISU]

Tell employers to stop requiring degrees.

There are a lot of people who go to school - even "cheap" JUCO or CC - and don't end up graduating. But they still have education debt. Even if it's not student loans, it could be credit card debt for books or materials. And without getting that piece of paper, they aren't realizing the wage benefits.

I think the exact thing is slowly starting to happen. Companies are beginning to realize the benefit of experience/skills. 15 years ago people without a degree, but with the skills acquired from working, were unable to move up or go to another company due to lack of degree. It still happens, but I think it's less each year.

Companies move to drop college degree requirements for new hires, focus on skills

A new study shows employers are ending college degree requirements for many jobs openings, focusing instead on skills, experience, and personality traits. The sea change opens up tech jobs to a more diverse pool of candidates.

www.computerworld.com

Google, Apple and 12 other companies that no longer require employees to have a college degree

These top employers are looking beyond an applicant's education.

www.cnbc.com

 

[KidSilverhair]

Yeah, my son has been trying to break into computer programming, and entry level jobs require a degree (naturally) and 2 or 3 years experience. *****, if I had 3 years of experience, I'm not looking for an entry level job.

The very idea that an “entry level” job requires 2-3 years of experience means it’s not an “entry level“ job, for chrissake.

Words mean what they say, employers! Use the right ones! And be willing to pay what’s necessary to get the results you expect!

 

[BCClone]

I'm a believer that there should be something for a requirement for jobs but I'm not sure where the line is.

I know plenty of people that have more degrees/'qualifications' than they can count (and they tend to be the type that needs to tell you about all of these qualifications) but struggle with etiquette, simple problem solving, etc.

And then I know plenty of people that could do lots of jobs very well but don't have the means/time to get the degree or whatever.

I have said this in the past, cut the required credits needed for a degree. They could easily trim a semester from it. My son graduated in 3 years, and he had enough open credits that he took a minor just because he had the credits to do it. My daughter was told to take a second major with hers, it was kind of a junk major. With her degree and now work experience, unless crazy happens, she won't have a lot of trouble getting a job, so I convinced her to look at a minor that she may be interested in.

I know the big kick back is to make students well rounded, but with what I have experienced with my to kids and then sitting through the whole visit and orientations that ISU has, the electives that are not built in are being pushed to gain second majors and minors that are pushed hard by their advisors and ISU. The other area is people changing majors. I made a minor change after two years and that basically killed any electives I had. Who else has 3 semesters of organic chemistry and a couple semesters of Botany as their electives? Instead of basically pushing second majors on them, let them get their degree and get out earlier.

 

[KnappShack]

I have said this in the past, cut the required credits needed for a degree. They could easily trim a semester from it. My son graduated in 3 years, and he had enough open credits that he took a minor just because he had the credits to do it. My daughter was told to take a second major with hers, it was kind of a junk major. With her degree and now work experience, unless crazy happens, she won't have a lot of trouble getting a job, so I convinced her to look at a minor that she may be interested in.

I know the big kick back is to make students well rounded, but with what I have experienced with my to kids and then sitting through the whole visit and orientations that ISU has, the electives that are not built in are being pushed to gain second majors and minors that are pushed hard by their advisors and ISU. The other area is people changing majors. I made a minor change after two years and that basically killed any electives I had. Who else has 3 semesters of organic chemistry and a couple semesters of Botany as their electives? Instead of basically pushing second majors on them, let them get their degree and get out earlier.

My path to graduation was a straight line. I'll start there

KnappShack: "Advisor, should I stick around to get a minor?"

Advisor: "What do you want to do?"

KnappShack: "It's probably time for me to get a job. I'm in year 5+ now."

Advisor: "Then get the hell out of here"

So I don't have a minor. Finance with an emphasis in economics

 

[BCClone]

My path to graduation was a straight line. I'll start there

KnappShack: "Advisor, should I stick around to get a minor?"

Advisor: "What do you want to do?"

KnappShack: "It's probably time for me to get a job. I'm in year 5+ now."

Advisor: "Then get the hell out of here"

So I don't have a minor. Finance with an emphasis in economics

When I changed majors, part way through my second semester this guy calls me up and says he is my advisor, (maybe I got a letter, I don't remember) telling me he wanted to meet with me at such and such time on this specific day. I was like crap, what did I do? Met with him and all he wanted to do was go over things and see how I was doing. I told him I hadn't even talked to an advisor since orientation, (I was at the end of my third year) he seemed confused and couldn't believe it. I said I thought I did something wrong since we were meeting. He looked at my schedule, told me if I changed emphasis, (to his) and took like an 18/16/18 type load my last three semesters, he would sub these 3-4 classes for me to get me out in 4.5 instead of 5. I was working 30 hours a week many times so my life was basically, class, study, and work. I maybe did some "fun" or partying type thing 1-2 times a semester. I was so tired of school at that point I just wanted out so I buried myself to finish.

 

[Pat]

The very idea that an “entry level” job requires 2-3 years of experience means it’s not an “entry level“ job, for chrissake.

Words mean what they say, employers! Use the right ones! And be willing to pay what’s necessary to get the results you expect!

Never underestimate HR’s ability to ruin a simple job description, particularly when crossed with legal, and the hiring manager asking for what they WANT instead of what they need.

I do consulting work on a relatively young module in a software suite. It no longer applies, but there were many job descriptions REQUIRING 5 years of experience when it had only existed for 2 years. That was my favorite part of interviews.

 

[Sigmapolis]

Never underestimate HR’s ability to ruin a simple job description, particularly when crossed with legal, and the hiring manager asking for what they WANT instead of what they need.

I do consulting work on a relatively young module in a software suite. It no longer applies, but there were many job descriptions REQUIRING 5 years of experience when it had only existed for 2 years. That was my favorite part of interviews.

I've never had HR find me a grand slam of a candidate.

Every "hit" hire I've been involved with has been somebody known well otherwise -- former client or coworker at a previous job, vendor, somebody who knocked it out of the park at a conference, etc., when you see the person that you really want, then you go out and get your woman or man yourself.

HR should stick to minimizing liability and stay away from hiring.

 

[Gunnerclone]

Fewer people should go to college -- that'd help a lot with the student loan "crisis."

42.6% of college graduates in the U.S. are underemployed --

https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market/college-labor-market_compare-majors.html

Criminal justice is >70% and performing arts is >60% with a ton in the ~50% range.

It is quite the huge sink of time and money, both for individuals and society overall, when the labor market is clearly signaling it doesn't need more four-year graduates. Maybe these numbers have softened a bit in the past two years, but it's pretty clear we're way past the point of diminishing returns with university educations and might be into the negative returns territory with the time and money sunk into it.

I don’t want to live in the country where people are devalued because they pursue a passion or talent at the expense of being able to fit nicely in to all these financial bubbles that get thrown around in this thread.