College is useless?

[BigBadOrc]

I already knew this but it's nice to see it so nicely explained:
http://chronicle.com/temp/email2.php?id ... jtdhknjqvf

What if you had spent all that college tuition money on private tutors instead.. but where can you find such tutors?

Interesting.... college alternatives: http://www.khake.com

[Potter]

[chocobojoe]

posted on deesh like, 2 months ago
get with the ti..oh wait

[Amp Divorax]

Ok, this is probably gonna be the most bitter, angry, and negative post I've ever done on a forum, but I have quite a few good reasons.

I loathe colleges in their current state due to how broken many of them simply are. The simple fact that my tax dollars helps fund some colleges infuriates me since tuition is extremely expensive to begin with. Compound that with the fact that many state colleges (espically BSU) are becoming nothing short of a glorified day care center for snobs and all these BS tech colleges with no real accreditation let alone capable instructors. The worst thing though is that there are still plenty of workplaces who are still picking college degrees over working experience for countless fields which is just fucking insane. (I speak from experience cause some Bachelor's Degree having retard who barely knew anything about Cisco got hired over me for an IT job cause I only had an associates despite the fact that I have a shitton of experience and training courtesy of both college and the Moron Corps.

I've looked into going back and it simply would be very difficult at best as I won't get jack shit in terms of money (don't fucking believe the college money they talk about on commercials for the armed forces, if you are reservist you won't get jack shit outside of the Army/National Guard folks.) and I'd have to sit though alot of BS classes that would be all review.

[chocobojoe]

I'd have to sit though alot of BS classes that would be all review.

You know most colleges will let you pay a small fee (helluva lot less than tuition) and test out of classes. They just require that you take x number of credit hours in your degree program before you graduate, as long as you meet all the necessary requirements. Same goes for transfer credits.

The best thing to go to college for right now is nursing. You're pretty much guaranteed a job. I don't like nursing though, and I'm sure you don't either, so that doesn't help any.

My brother went to college, interned at Toyota corporate, and had a permanent position there straight out of college. Then they paid for him to get his Master's degree, and he's making pretty decent money. So I wouldn't say college is completely useless.

[danc1005]

As far as, is it possible to get a college-level education (or better) without going to college? Yes, it is useless.
But as far as whether or not it gives you a huge step up and helps you get your foot in the door and land a better job, it's very useful.

[Ho]

Ok, this is probably gonna be the most bitter, angry, and negative post I've ever done on a forum

That is a very bold statement...and I think you fell short. ^_~

----------------

Since I have graduated from college I have maintained that a college degree really only proves to an employer that you started something and finished it. Unless you need a specialized certification or training for your career (law, medicine, etc.) I don't think the degree itself has much further value. I mean, I have a telecommunications degree...that's television production. Have I ever worked in that field? Directly, no.

[Riot]

College is a lot more about networking than learning the things you're going to be doing for the rest of your life.

[Ho]

College is a lot more about networking than learning the things you're going to be doing for the rest of your life.

I would definitely stress the importance of networking (just ask Chad!). However, I would have to admit that all the jobs I've had have not resulted in any connections I made in college. But there are certainly many opportunities in a college environment for you to make such connections.

I think that's the true value of college...opportunities. I would argue that at no other place and time in your life will you have such easy and ready access to people and resources. If all you're doing in college is just going to class and getting grades--you're wasting your time. Get involved. Most of what I "learned" in college was the result of meeting people, working on projects (outside of class), and finding things out for myself while working with the people and resources that were there. Once you're in the "real world," it takes a lot more effort to make/get those kinds of connections.

I certainly wouldn't argue against the system being screwed up, but I wouldn't call college useless either.

[ShammerS]

I agree that a college degree is as useless as any other piece of paper you'll achieve in your life, and that the experiences you endured to get it are the only thing that matter. The beauty of college is that those experiences are unlimited in scope and depth while you're there. These things can be done without actually going to college, certainly; just with more difficulty.

That said, consider that it's not necessarily because of the degrees that people with college backgrounds have higher incomes -- but it's also no coincidence.

[malictus]

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I don't view college as 'job training'. I'm a big BIG believer in core classes and a well-rounded education. NOT because it helps you get a job, but because it helps to make you a more interesting, knowledgeable person.

I do agree that the exact sort of degree you get doesn't matter much, unless you're going in to something like medicine or law. I have only music degrees, and I've been working as a full-time computer programmer for 7 years. But, I would not have the job I currently have without the experiences and networking that I got in college.

[Amp Divorax]

Ok, this is probably gonna be the most bitter, angry, and negative post I've ever done on a forum

That is a very bold statement...and I think you fell short. ^_~

ROTFLOL. Well, college is the one thing that makes me angry enough to want to destroy kittens and rainbows, albeit I didn't express that rage all that much due to the possibility of backlash.

[Fluffyumpkins]

For a time, I was a poor college student. I had no money (har) but more importantly, I did the minimum to get by classes. Homework, attendance, and study all fell second to my other personal activities. During my final year, I actually did put forth effort, and was surprisingly well rewarded with knowledge. If you use the resources your school has to offer and make a strong effort to succeed in classes you might be surprised.

I could sum up my thoughts on college with the statement, "You get out what you put in." Do you want to put it in?

[chocobojoe]

Chad you know I want to put it in.

[danc1005]

Programming mantra:
Garbage in, garbage out.