Is college for job training or learning?

[Anonymous]

My DH didn’t go to college and I only finished an associate’s when my kids were young. We are middle class ($80k HHI) with 2 kids. Husband wants kid to go to NOVA or GMU and do accounting to be prepared for a job. Oldest is looking at different college options and likes UVA, but is also interested in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, some LACs and T50s. They’re interested in humanities and social sciences.

Is my husband right that, especially in this economy, it’s better to just do accounting and engineering? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It can be both. Some use it to get a "practical" degree that leads to direct employment, and others use it as an opportunity to 'learn how to learn' and be exposed to different disciplines where one can forge their own unique path.

[Anonymous]

It's for learning how to be an adult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It can be both. Some use it to get a "practical" degree that leads to direct employment, and others use it as an opportunity to 'learn how to learn' and be exposed to different disciplines where one can forge their own unique path.

I like this answer thank you. OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's for learning how to be an adult.

DH never went to college and is an immigrant so he doesn’t understand the going away aspect. He’d rather our kids just stay at home, get a part time job, and commute to school.

[Anonymous]

Learning

[Anonymous]

Learning, of course.

[Anonymous]

Both.

[Anonymous]

They are not mutually exclusive.
Both.

[Anonymous]

Both.

College is about creating new possibilities for your life. It can look different for different people.

For some, the “new possibilities” are very narrow and practical: learning and training in a directed way for the sake of a sure-thing job or career. (To the extent it’s possible to identify a sure thing career right now.)

For others, the “new possibilities” are also learning and education-oriented, but in a broader sense. Yes, they expect to have a job and a career down the road, but they’re eager to explore and learn more broadly, including areas that have no practical job application for them at all. That part is about learning for its own sake and for personal growth - exploring interests and learning about the world.

For still others, the “new possibilities” stem from living away from family (and with peers) for the first time. Though not completely independent - they still have a system of support around them - they can experience a different level of opportunities, thrills, challenges, and risks as they learn.

Different kids - and families - approach college differently. Some focus on one of these aspects, some a combination, red plus others I didn’t list.

In my humble opinion, most of the differences are driven by economics and financial security.

College students from wealthy or even “just” financially secure families can approach college more broadly than those from true middle class or lower income families. The reality is that family wealth (or even “just” comfort/security) provides a cushion or safety net that allows for more academic exploration beyond simple job training.

Not every wealthy or financially secure family sees college that way. But the broader, exploratory view of higher education does feel like a luxury good these days ….

Finally, if I were in your position, OP, my number one priority taking out loans for college. That would limit you and possibly your would be to find my kid a free ride to college. Not just tuition - the entire cost. Because loans (or even payments along the way) will create tremendous pressure on you all.

There are thousands of excellent colleges in this country that will put your child on a path to security and success. Focus on finding schools that are willing to provide the most substantial aid, and then take it one step at a time after that. As a first-generation college student, your child may have access to more financial and merit aid and more scholarships than you realize.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Sorry. Lots of typos above. This is what I meant to say about avoiding loans:

Finally, if I were in your position, OP, my number one priority would be to ABOID taking out loans for college. More than anything else, loans would create tremendous pressure and limit the possibilities for you, your DH, and your child over time. So right now I’d focus not on choosing a specific career path, but on finding my kid a free ride to college. Not just tuition - the entire cost. (Your child will likely be considered a “first generation” college student because neither parent has a four year degree. Depending on your child’s grades and scores, this could help a lot on the “free rides” front.)

[Anonymous]

At $80k hhi, your son would qualify for a butt load of need based stuff if he's smart enough to get into the T10. Harvard could be cheaper for you than Mason. Even down the rankings a bit, he could qualify for a lot.

[Anonymous]

I love the “new possibilities” perspective.

[Anonymous]

It’s a bad idea to major in something you aren’t that passionate about just because that’s where the jobs seem to be at.
Look what happened to CS! A lot can change in 4 years, so make sure your kid gets a well rounded education and learns how to learn, not just learn specific skills.

Agree with PP that avoiding loans is of the utmost importance. There are no guarantees of any degree “paying off” in specific monetary terms and everyone needs to understand that going in.

There is value in going to college even if you end up working in a completely different field than you majored in, as long as you stay away from debt.

We will be paying a lot for DS to attend a SLAC. I am fully prepared for the possibility that he may not end up with a traditional white collar job, and I am OK with that.

[Anonymous]

Job training, unless you're rich enough to not need it for job training.