The pointlessness of college

[lazy ass]

We all know college is pointless. But to what extent is it pointless? Is it utterly pointless for the person who can't get into an Ivy League and doesn't want to be a doctor, teacher, lawyer, engineer, etc.?

Then again, a lot of jobs require a BA just to get an interview. So has the bachelor's degree become the new high school diploma, in a way? Only the nerdiest of the nerdy can do EE, only evil people go to law school, only morons become teachers, etc., so where does that leave the rest of us? And how do you think society's perception of higher education will change in the coming decades?

[Toksin]

Just so you know, a Bachelor of Arts in NZ is considered a joke degree, a waste of time only used as an excuse to go to uni.

Hence, why I'm doing a BSc :P


You don't need college to succeed.

[beef_bourito]

you can do a trade, psychology, or find something that doesn't require a college diploma/degree.

btw what do you mean by EE? Electrical Engineering? if so, i'm in it right now and i'm not what you'd call nerdy.

[lazy ass]

Originally Posted by beef_bourito

you can do a trade, psychology, or find something that doesn't require a college diploma/degree.

btw what do you mean by EE? Electrical Engineering? if so, i'm in it right now and i'm not what you'd call nerdy.

You still have the brain of a nerd though.

[00accord44]

I agree that the value of a bachelors degree is perhaps not what it was 10-15 years ago, but imo the real value of the college experience is what you learn outside the classroom. When I was at school, I learned a ton about myself and the people around me. I do value my degree (BS Business Admin), but I value the developmental skills I gained along the way.

But I pose this question: If you equate a bachelors degree nowdays to what a HS diploma was 15 years ago, then is dropping out of college now the same as dropping out of high school 15 years ago?

[lazy ass]

Originally Posted by 00accord44

But I pose this question: If you equate a bachelors degree nowdays to what a HS diploma was 15 years ago, then is dropping out of college now the same as dropping out of high school 15 years ago?

More like 50 years ago, but I'd say so.

[00accord44]

Interesting. I know some HS dropouts and some college dropouts and now that I think about it, I'm actally inclined to agree with that. There are exceptions for everything of course, but in general I doo see a similar mentalit in the people I know that dropped out. Of course, the ones that actually finished high school are doing considerably better than those that left college.

[lazy ass]

Originally Posted by 00accord44

Of course, the ones that actually finished high school are doing considerably better than those that left college.

The people that finished high school 50 years ago or 15 years ago?

[drunken monkey]

The worth of further education is what you put into it.
If you think it is pointless then that indicates your level of interest in persuing it.
As the saying (kinda) goes, you can take a horse to water but you can't make him think.
What interests me is your obssession with labels; what is a nerdy brain?

[00accord44]

Originally Posted by lazy ass

The people that finished high school 50 years ago or 15 years ago?

The people I know that should have finished HS almost 10 years ago. But I'd also apply that statement to HS grads vs non-grads in general. The stats don't lie. You are severely shortchanging yourself if you don't at least get a HS diploma nowdays

[beef_bourito]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

What interests me is your obssession with labels; what is a nerdy brain?

lol that's what i was thinking. does it mean i'm not a complete dumbass and actually understand stuff? because i do. if it means that i spend alot of time doing "techy" stuff or whatever, i can assure you that i don't. i spend most of my free time either training for the rowing season or rowing on my university's varsity team.

i know alot of people who either dropped out of university, high school, or finished their degree (all kinds of different ones from arts to engineering) and on average the people who dropped out of high school make less than the people who finished HS, the people who dropped out of uni make less than the people who finished.

lots of high school dropouts that i know are working two jobs and can barely pay their bills. the uni dropouts are usually working entry level jobs, although some are doing ok with some good jobs making a decent ammount of money (but not something you could raise a family with). and i'd say that the vast majority of people with degrees or college diplomas are making significantly more than the people without one.

so sure, the degree might not be as usefull as before, you might not get an awesome job with just any old degree, but they WILL get you more cash.

[drunken monkey]

I think it's not so much the education the system may or may not provide, more that it is an indication of the level of commitment of the individual.
If you don't have the stamina to go through it all, what does that say about you?

The other point is; if what you want to do requires you to have a certain amount of study under your belt, no matter if it is relevent or not, are you going to not do it?

[beef_bourito]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

I think it's not so much the education the system may or may not provide, more that it is an indication of the level of commitment of the individual.

i think that point is especially relevant in countries with subsidised post-secondary education. in canada, a year of arts at my university costs about $4,500, about $5,500 after books and fees. in the states it's rediculously expensive so it's more understandable to avoid post secondary but it will be a definite asset on your resume to have. high school is a bare minimum requirement IMO though.

[lazy ass]

Originally Posted by beef_bourito

so sure, the degree might not be as usefull as before, you might not get an awesome job with just any old degree, but they WILL get you more cash.

That's the part I'm questioning. If you have a major with classes full of girls and football players, the likelihood of pointlessness becomes very, very high.

[beef_bourito]

the likelihood of it being less of an asset is higher but you will still have a better chance of getting a better job. also, i find it interesting that you assume jocks and girls are less intelligent then fat lazy men.

also, most degrees still take a good ammount of work to complete. dumb people are less likely to make it through (although it's not uncommon that they do). the people that make it through are usually at least somewhat intelligent or can at least work a bit hard.