What do you do for a living?

[surly74]

sure there is, if you are paying for it. You shouldn't be going to college for purely out of interest. it should be to setup a career. Especially when you are spending 10's of thousands of  dollars for it.

here's a quick test, if you had to pay for all four years up front would you still study that same major? Would someone still go into Philosophy or take engineering?

I can take all kids of free courses online from many different universities, the courses being any that suit my interest and they don't cost me a cent. Why would people handcuff themselves for the basis of "interest"?

Aaaaaaand this post is a great example of what's wrong with the worlds mindset on learning and education.

how's that?

[Plu]

Colleges should be a place where people are encouraged to think for themselves and to show them all the curious and awesome things in the world. They should not be a place that only prepares people for a carreer.

Free online courses are a nice idea, but where do you get the education needed to understand the difference between a good course and a bad course?

Also, learning should be a goal, not a means. Yet many people think that an education is something that only prepares you for a job. It shouldn't be.

[surly74]

Colleges should be a place where people are encouraged to think for themselves and to show them all the curious and awesome things in the world. They should not be a place that only prepares people for a carreer.

Free online courses are a nice idea, but where do you get the education needed to understand the difference between a good course and a bad course?

Also, learning should be a goal, not a means. Yet many people think that an education is something that only prepares you for a job. It shouldn't be.

yes they should be but not at the expense of crippling debt load you can't hope to pay off at then end because there are no career prospects at the finish line.

Itunes U has the same courses at actual universities that people pay thousands of dollars to attend. Life in the Universe course from Ohio State University. Critial Thinking course from Oxford. This isn't exactly type writer repair from the St. Louis Adult learning center.

You can learn all you want, it doesn't end once you leave college but when you do leave college you should have the foundation and skills to build a career, and that all depends on what you take. College is usually four years, maybe a bit longer. The rest of someone's life is alot longer, lots of time to take a course on Russian Lit if you want.

It takes a long time to pay off student debt working at Starbucks and that English, Art History, or Philosophy degree will really come in handy making coffee or waiting tables.

[hillbillyatheist]

being 50,000 in debt with a useless major I can side with the folks who are warning folks. yes in a better world we'd all seek to just better ourselves and learn.

in the real world you have to find a marketable skill or you will be stuck with a low paying job and a huge debt you can't pay.

me? I got a major in sociology.

what do I do for a living? well right now, I play my fiddle for tips on the street and collect disability for being visually impaired. best 50 grand I ever spent.

but hey I did expand my mind so it was all worth it right?

(I wish I could go back in time and kick my own ass)

[youtube:3phcdonz]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLphh4YtrHg[/youtube:3phcdonz]

[AllPurposeAtheist]

I normally charge 100 grand to poke guys in the eye with a sharp stick HBA.. I bet you're glad you took advantage of that 50% off coupon, huh?

[hillbillyatheist]

LOL! well coupons are an excellent way to save money!

[Thumpalumpacus]

I manage a custom frame-shop full time.

One day a week, I work at a local nature preserve, maintaining trails, providing customer service, and generally getting paid to be nine years old again.

[aitm]

I normally run medium to large construction projects (8-30mil) but currently forced to diddle in dinky shit. Hope the economy starts to come back, I miss my perks........and the money.

[Agramon]

I normally run medium to large construction projects (8-30mil) but currently forced to diddle in dinky shit. Hope the economy starts to come back, I miss my perks........and the money.

Kinky...

[aitm]

:rollin:

yeah, that didn't come out quite right...

[PopeyesPappy]

I normally run medium to large construction projects (8-30mil) but currently forced to diddle in dinky shit. Hope the economy starts to come back, I miss my perks........and the money.

I tried to get you come you to come to Texas, but no... You'd miss your puppies. Now I'm about to ad a $6M plus up to my $13M contract and still no aitm to keep the electricians and plumbers on schedule and under budget.

 #-o

[mykcob4]

I have no idea why anyone would actually want to know but I and 3 friends sell computer hardware to mom and pop computer shops across the country.

[aitm]

I normally run medium to large construction projects (8-30mil) but currently forced to diddle in dinky shit. Hope the economy starts to come back, I miss my perks........and the money.

I tried to get you come you to come to Texas, but no... You'd miss your puppies. Now I'm about to ad a $6M plus up to my $13M contract and still no aitm to keep the electricians and plumbers on schedule and under budget.

 #-o

I did my 12 years in Texas, I ain't a going back!

[PopeyesPappy]

That's what I said 30 years ago yet that's where I've spent 90% of my time for the last year and half.

  :-?

[MrsSassyPants]

The reason I want to know what people do is bc when I see your screen name I want to be able to draw your face in my mind clearly.  Lol.  Buy really I am interested honestly.