Comments on: College Degrees. Debt Tank or Launch Pad? http://www.thesquab.com/2010/01/college-degrees-debt-tank-or-launch-pad/ Building Better Careers Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:31:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: 1976Hoosiers http://www.thesquab.com/2010/01/college-degrees-debt-tank-or-launch-pad/comment-page-1/#comment-262 1976Hoosiers Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:31:18 +0000 http://www.thesquab.com/?p=452#comment-262 I totally agree with this article! I have an Econ Degree from Indiana University (great spot, you should check out bloomington if you have never been) and a business minor. However, the simple fact is my college id has been more profitable than my degrees, bars have free covers with a college id :) Back to the point of the article, people need to look at college as a purchase and if you can't afford something don't do it! You wouldn't go out and buy a mercedes if you can only afford a Honda, but people do it and worse are encouraged by our government and by the powers that be because they profit, ALOT! <br><br>I, like you, look back at my student loan statements and think man what I could have done with that money as startup capital or the like. I am currently a freelance web designer/brander and running a social media campaign for a company, neither of which have anything to do with my college education, all are self taught skills.<br><br>The bottom line is people need to be better informed about college and know there are alternatives if you don't go to school. Also, I think the quality of education has shifted to the quantity of education so there are more jacks of all trades masters of none types out there, instead graduates being experts in their field, they are no more smarter than someone who just read the wiki article 30 mins earlier on the same subject. <br><br>I could go on and on about the education system here in the US, but the fact of the matter is that people need to keep talking about this subject and writing about it because an economic crisis is looming in this country with student loan debt passing credit card debt (over 830 Billion) which you can get out of with bankruptcy and such. However, with student loan debt you basically have no rights and they will get their money no matter what, it is the only type of loan like this.<br><br>So in summation (geez this turned into an epicly long comment) I think that people just need to be more informed and realize that going into debt to go to school is the worse thing you can do and will enslave you and your passions because you will have to take a job, maybe at burger king because you have to pay this money back!<br><br>Great Post! Especially the graphs :) <br><br>Here are two great infographics that will help explain the beast that is a student loan:<br><br><a href="http://www.mint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/StudentLoansByTheNumbers4.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://www.mint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/StudentLoansByTheNumbers4.jpg</a><br><br><a href="http://www.collegescholarships.org/research/student-loans" rel="nofollow">http://www.collegescholarships.org/research/student-loans</a>/ I totally agree with this article! I have an Econ Degree from Indiana University (great spot, you should check out bloomington if you have never been) and a business minor. However, the simple fact is my college id has been more profitable than my degrees, bars have free covers with a college id :) Back to the point of the article, people need to look at college as a purchase and if you can't afford something don't do it! You wouldn't go out and buy a mercedes if you can only afford a Honda, but people do it and worse are encouraged by our government and by the powers that be because they profit, ALOT!

I, like you, look back at my student loan statements and think man what I could have done with that money as startup capital or the like. I am currently a freelance web designer/brander and running a social media campaign for a company, neither of which have anything to do with my college education, all are self taught skills.

The bottom line is people need to be better informed about college and know there are alternatives if you don't go to school. Also, I think the quality of education has shifted to the quantity of education so there are more jacks of all trades masters of none types out there, instead graduates being experts in their field, they are no more smarter than someone who just read the wiki article 30 mins earlier on the same subject.

I could go on and on about the education system here in the US, but the fact of the matter is that people need to keep talking about this subject and writing about it because an economic crisis is looming in this country with student loan debt passing credit card debt (over 830 Billion) which you can get out of with bankruptcy and such. However, with student loan debt you basically have no rights and they will get their money no matter what, it is the only type of loan like this.

So in summation (geez this turned into an epicly long comment) I think that people just need to be more informed and realize that going into debt to go to school is the worse thing you can do and will enslave you and your passions because you will have to take a job, maybe at burger king because you have to pay this money back!

Great Post! Especially the graphs :)

Here are two great infographics that will help explain the beast that is a student loan:

http://www.mint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/StudentLoansByTheNumbers4.jpg

http://www.collegescholarships.org/research/student-loans/

]]> By: Rachelle Hademenos http://www.thesquab.com/2010/01/college-degrees-debt-tank-or-launch-pad/comment-page-1/#comment-261 Rachelle Hademenos Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:14:26 +0000 http://www.thesquab.com/?p=452#comment-261 Check out the paper I wrote for my economics class last quarter, a review of the article, “In Hard Times, Lured Into Trade School and Debt”<br><br><a href="http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=606825849¬es_tab=app_2347471856" rel="nofollow">http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=606825849¬es_tab=app_2347471856</a><br><br>;) Check out the paper I wrote for my economics class last quarter, a review of the article, “In Hard Times, Lured Into Trade School and Debt”

http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=606825849¬es_tab=app_2347471856

;)

]]> By: Alexandra Proaps http://www.thesquab.com/2010/01/college-degrees-debt-tank-or-launch-pad/comment-page-1/#comment-203 Alexandra Proaps Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:33:34 +0000 http://www.thesquab.com/?p=452#comment-203 (you can call me Alex or pixie658, I need to change my name on Disqus... sounds so weird when someone calls me that, haha) Grad school is carazy! But worth it every second. :) How are things on your end? (you can call me Alex or pixie658, I need to change my name on Disqus… sounds so weird when someone calls me that, haha) Grad school is carazy! But worth it every second. :) How are things on your end?

]]> By: Shane Mac http://www.thesquab.com/2010/01/college-degrees-debt-tank-or-launch-pad/comment-page-1/#comment-197 Shane Mac Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:04:03 +0000 http://www.thesquab.com/?p=452#comment-197 Thanks for the comment Alexandra. How is the Grad degree going? Thanks for the comment Alexandra. How is the Grad degree going?

]]> By: Alexandra Proaps http://www.thesquab.com/2010/01/college-degrees-debt-tank-or-launch-pad/comment-page-1/#comment-195 Alexandra Proaps Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:50:14 +0000 http://www.thesquab.com/?p=452#comment-195 Great post!<br>I'm in grad school, so my undergrad defintiely helped me and was worth the money and time. I learned so much that I could never have taught myself or could have ever learned in a job. Mostly... how to do experimental research. I was fortunate in terms of the cost of school. My dad had to pay for half of my undergrad based on my parents' divorce agreement (sometimes cheating on your wife will be held against you in a way that helps your kids, haha). My grandparents helped with some tuition. I paid for the rest of my tuition and everything I needed to live on by working one to three jobs while I was in school. So I left undergrad with some credit card debt, but I was able to pay that back within two years of graduating. It wasn't easy, don't get me wrong, but I did it. Now I do have some subsidized loans for my Master's, but if I get into a PhD program, tuition is free and I will just have living expenses like a "normal" person. That is one benefit of a PhD program in a specialized field... they pay you to go there to be their slaves. ;) <br>I guess my point is that everyone is different. Everyone needs different things to succeed. Everyone should weigh the pros and cons of going to school versus not going. A B.S. now is like a ticket to the employment game. Without one, it is tough to get into that game. Once you have it, then experience can be the best thing depending on the job. School and experience are equally imporant. Experience is good, but we can repeat patterns we think are right just because they're patterns. We may learn a new way of doing things that is more correct or helpful or rewarding if we go to school. <br>As I discussed at length on Matt's post, I have to have an advanced degree. But, I refuse to be os in debt like some of my friends. I live on the cheap and save my money the best I can and am blessed to have a family you can step up if I ever need it. If it came down to it, I'd rather get a job with my Master's and make a little less each year than go on to get my PhD if I new I'd have 100s of thousands in debt when I left. That is not worth it, to me. <br>Yikes! Didn't mean to post a novel! :D Great post!
I'm in grad school, so my undergrad defintiely helped me and was worth the money and time. I learned so much that I could never have taught myself or could have ever learned in a job. Mostly… how to do experimental research. I was fortunate in terms of the cost of school. My dad had to pay for half of my undergrad based on my parents' divorce agreement (sometimes cheating on your wife will be held against you in a way that helps your kids, haha). My grandparents helped with some tuition. I paid for the rest of my tuition and everything I needed to live on by working one to three jobs while I was in school. So I left undergrad with some credit card debt, but I was able to pay that back within two years of graduating. It wasn't easy, don't get me wrong, but I did it. Now I do have some subsidized loans for my Master's, but if I get into a PhD program, tuition is free and I will just have living expenses like a “normal” person. That is one benefit of a PhD program in a specialized field… they pay you to go there to be their slaves. ;)
I guess my point is that everyone is different. Everyone needs different things to succeed. Everyone should weigh the pros and cons of going to school versus not going. A B.S. now is like a ticket to the employment game. Without one, it is tough to get into that game. Once you have it, then experience can be the best thing depending on the job. School and experience are equally imporant. Experience is good, but we can repeat patterns we think are right just because they're patterns. We may learn a new way of doing things that is more correct or helpful or rewarding if we go to school.
As I discussed at length on Matt's post, I have to have an advanced degree. But, I refuse to be os in debt like some of my friends. I live on the cheap and save my money the best I can and am blessed to have a family you can step up if I ever need it. If it came down to it, I'd rather get a job with my Master's and make a little less each year than go on to get my PhD if I new I'd have 100s of thousands in debt when I left. That is not worth it, to me.
Yikes! Didn't mean to post a novel! :D

]]> By: Alexandra Proaps http://www.thesquab.com/2010/01/college-degrees-debt-tank-or-launch-pad/comment-page-1/#comment-196 Alexandra Proaps Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:50:14 +0000 http://www.thesquab.com/?p=452#comment-196 Great post!<br>I'm in grad school, so my undergrad defintiely helped me and was worth the money and time. I learned so much that I could never have taught myself or could have ever learned in a job. Mostly... how to do experimental research. I was fortunate in terms of the cost of school. My dad had to pay for half of my undergrad based on my parents' divorce agreement (sometimes cheating on your wife will be held against you in a way that helps your kids, haha). My grandparents helped with some tuition. I paid for the rest of my tuition and everything I needed to live on by working one to three jobs while I was in school. So I left undergrad with some credit card debt, but I was able to pay that back within two years of graduating. It wasn't easy, don't get me wrong, but I did it. Now I do have some subsidized loans for my Master's, but if I get into a PhD program, tuition is free and I will just have living expenses like a "normal" person. That is one benefit of a PhD program in a specialized field... they pay you to go there to be their slaves. ;) <br>I guess my point is that everyone is different. Everyone needs different things to succeed. Everyone should weigh the pros and cons of going to school versus not going. A B.S. now is like a ticket to the employment game. Without one, it is tough to get into that game. Once you have it, then experience can be the best thing depending on the job. School and experience are equally imporant. Experience is good, but we can repeat patterns we think are right just because they're patterns. We may learn a new way of doing things that is more correct or helpful or rewarding if we go to school. <br>As I discussed at length on Matt's post, I have to have an advanced degree. But, I refuse to be os in debt like some of my friends. I live on the cheap and save my money the best I can and am blessed to have a family you can step up if I ever need it. If it came down to it, I'd rather get a job with my Master's and make a little less each year than go on to get my PhD if I new I'd have 100s of thousands in debt when I left. That is not worth it, to me. <br>Yikes! Didn't mean to post a novel! :D Great post!
I'm in grad school, so my undergrad defintiely helped me and was worth the money and time. I learned so much that I could never have taught myself or could have ever learned in a job. Mostly… how to do experimental research. I was fortunate in terms of the cost of school. My dad had to pay for half of my undergrad based on my parents' divorce agreement (sometimes cheating on your wife will be held against you in a way that helps your kids, haha). My grandparents helped with some tuition. I paid for the rest of my tuition and everything I needed to live on by working one to three jobs while I was in school. So I left undergrad with some credit card debt, but I was able to pay that back within two years of graduating. It wasn't easy, don't get me wrong, but I did it. Now I do have some subsidized loans for my Master's, but if I get into a PhD program, tuition is free and I will just have living expenses like a “normal” person. That is one benefit of a PhD program in a specialized field… they pay you to go there to be their slaves. ;)
I guess my point is that everyone is different. Everyone needs different things to succeed. Everyone should weigh the pros and cons of going to school versus not going. A B.S. now is like a ticket to the employment game. Without one, it is tough to get into that game. Once you have it, then experience can be the best thing depending on the job. School and experience are equally imporant. Experience is good, but we can repeat patterns we think are right just because they're patterns. We may learn a new way of doing things that is more correct or helpful or rewarding if we go to school.
As I discussed at length on Matt's post, I have to have an advanced degree. But, I refuse to be os in debt like some of my friends. I live on the cheap and save my money the best I can and am blessed to have a family you can step up if I ever need it. If it came down to it, I'd rather get a job with my Master's and make a little less each year than go on to get my PhD if I new I'd have 100s of thousands in debt when I left. That is not worth it, to me.
Yikes! Didn't mean to post a novel! :D

]]> By: Shane Mac http://www.thesquab.com/2010/01/college-degrees-debt-tank-or-launch-pad/comment-page-1/#comment-194 Shane Mac Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:15:35 +0000 http://www.thesquab.com/?p=452#comment-194 Thanks Ryan,<br><br>What kind of web dev do you like to do? Thanks Ryan,

What kind of web dev do you like to do?

]]> By: Ryan @ Planting Dollars http://www.thesquab.com/2010/01/college-degrees-debt-tank-or-launch-pad/comment-page-1/#comment-191 Ryan @ Planting Dollars Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:02:24 +0000 http://www.thesquab.com/?p=452#comment-191 Hey Shane,<br><br>I agree with the sentiments from your post. I also graduated with a degree in finance and econ in 08 and then realized I didn't want anything to do with most related jobs so I completely bootstrapped myself in web development over the past two years so that I can work anywhere and pursue a dream of shark photography...<br><br>Anyways, I think the social aspect of college is huge (you're kinda weird nowadays if you don't go) and personally it taught me to think critically since I went to a liberal arts school... I ask "why" a lot more now. However, at the same point if you're doing what everyone else is doing, you'll get what everyone else is getting as well... Did you go through several jobs before you landed your cobalt gig?<br><br>Found your site(s) and info via your interview over at untemplater... like your style and bookmarked your site. Keep up the good work. Hey Shane,

I agree with the sentiments from your post. I also graduated with a degree in finance and econ in 08 and then realized I didn't want anything to do with most related jobs so I completely bootstrapped myself in web development over the past two years so that I can work anywhere and pursue a dream of shark photography…

Anyways, I think the social aspect of college is huge (you're kinda weird nowadays if you don't go) and personally it taught me to think critically since I went to a liberal arts school… I ask “why” a lot more now. However, at the same point if you're doing what everyone else is doing, you'll get what everyone else is getting as well… Did you go through several jobs before you landed your cobalt gig?

Found your site(s) and info via your interview over at untemplater… like your style and bookmarked your site. Keep up the good work.

]]> By: Shane Mac http://www.thesquab.com/2010/01/college-degrees-debt-tank-or-launch-pad/comment-page-1/#comment-136 Shane Mac Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:38:53 +0000 http://www.thesquab.com/?p=452#comment-136 Thanks Debzie,<br>How did you find the site? Thanks Debzie,
How did you find the site?

]]> By: debzie http://www.thesquab.com/2010/01/college-degrees-debt-tank-or-launch-pad/comment-page-1/#comment-134 debzie Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:38:39 +0000 http://www.thesquab.com/?p=452#comment-134 Thank you for expressing these sentiments! I share your thoughts and was delighted to "stumble" upon this site to learn more about what others are saying and doing in the career quest game. It is valuable to see how an education is being viewed today by people at different stages of their career and life journey path. I have battled this conversation myself and will keep reading! Thanks Brian and Thanks to Shane for a great resource. Thank you for expressing these sentiments! I share your thoughts and was delighted to “stumble” upon this site to learn more about what others are saying and doing in the career quest game. It is valuable to see how an education is being viewed today by people at different stages of their career and life journey path. I have battled this conversation myself and will keep reading! Thanks Brian and Thanks to Shane for a great resource.

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