Higher education is overrated

[Anonymous]

Rich people from both political parties all send their kids to college without exception, and typically to top colleges for humanities degrees.

[Anonymous]

That’s fine OP. Don’t send you kids to college. Less competition for mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s fine OP. Don’t send you kids to college. Less competition for mine.

+1

[Anonymous]

I agree in part and I disagree in part.

I agree that an education in the liberal arts is overrated and unnecessary.

I disagree with respect to pre-professional training.

Employers want employees with experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virtually all of the employment growth in the last 30 years are in jobs that require a bachelors or higher degree. Don't tell people not to go to college until you've convinced employers it's in their best interest to hire a lot of people without college degrees.

Employers are also starting to figure this out. A BA/BS isn't required for most jobs, the requirement was simply added as a way to screen applicants - but now it's outlived it's usefulness.

Any evidence for the idea that employers are figuring this out? Like more up to date data showing that job growth is more likely to be found in positions that don't require a BA?

You might find more success without a degree in smaller cities vs. DC/NY/LA etc. My nieces and nephews in Norfolk seem to be doing fine without college. One works for a big insurance company that hired her to work customer phone lines and then they train and promote from within. Another did auto tech in HS, worked for a dealer for a while, and now has his own auto repair business. Another trained as a tree trimmer and has his own business doing that. All own their own homes, have kids, seem happy with their lives. Key is to live in a low-cost area where it is more common to not go to college.

One problem with this approach is that the quality of life is garbage in most low cost areas where going to college is uncommon.

Not garbage but definitely doesn't have the options of a big, affluent city. Another factor, having similar family, is that the experience of people who grew up there and have big family networks is going to be different than someone who just moved there. My relatives like this do fine but part of that is that they all use grandma for childcare which is a huge savings. Also, where you went to HS matters and people mostly stick with those long-established friendships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virtually all of the employment growth in the last 30 years are in jobs that require a bachelors or higher degree. Don't tell people not to go to college until you've convinced employers it's in their best interest to hire a lot of people without college degrees.

Employers are also starting to figure this out. A BA/BS isn't required for most jobs, the requirement was simply added as a way to screen applicants - but now it's outlived it's usefulness.

Any evidence for the idea that employers are figuring this out? Like more up to date data showing that job growth is more likely to be found in positions that don't require a BA?

You might find more success without a degree in smaller cities vs. DC/NY/LA etc. My nieces and nephews in Norfolk seem to be doing fine without college. One works for a big insurance company that hired her to work customer phone lines and then they train and promote from within. Another did auto tech in HS, worked for a dealer for a while, and now has his own auto repair business. Another trained as a tree trimmer and has his own business doing that. All own their own homes, have kids, seem happy with their lives. Key is to live in a low-cost area where it is more common to not go to college.

One problem with this approach is that the quality of life is garbage in most low cost areas where going to college is uncommon.

In your eyes, yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virtually all of the employment growth in the last 30 years are in jobs that require a bachelors or higher degree. Don't tell people not to go to college until you've convinced employers it's in their best interest to hire a lot of people without college degrees.

Employers are also starting to figure this out. A BA/BS isn't required for most jobs, the requirement was simply added as a way to screen applicants - but now it's outlived it's usefulness.

Any evidence for the idea that employers are figuring this out? Like more up to date data showing that job growth is more likely to be found in positions that don't require a BA?

You might find more success without a degree in smaller cities vs. DC/NY/LA etc. My nieces and nephews in Norfolk seem to be doing fine without college. One works for a big insurance company that hired her to work customer phone lines and then they train and promote from within. Another did auto tech in HS, worked for a dealer for a while, and now has his own auto repair business. Another trained as a tree trimmer and has his own business doing that. All own their own homes, have kids, seem happy with their lives. Key is to live in a low-cost area where it is more common to not go to college.

One problem with this approach is that the quality of life is garbage in most low cost areas where going to college is uncommon.

Not garbage but definitely doesn't have the options of a big, affluent city. Another factor, having similar family, is that the experience of people who grew up there and have big family networks is going to be different than someone who just moved there. My relatives like this do fine but part of that is that they all use grandma for childcare which is a huge savings. Also, where you went to HS matters and people mostly stick with those long-established friendships.

Huh. I keep up with Hs friends in a Christmas card and FB sort of way. But my closest friends are from college and law school. Once I got out of the rural South, I was out. Which means most of my friends and network are in the area where I went to college in law school (which are close to each other).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virtually all of the employment growth in the last 30 years are in jobs that require a bachelors or higher degree. Don't tell people not to go to college until you've convinced employers it's in their best interest to hire a lot of people without college degrees.

Employers are also starting to figure this out. A BA/BS isn't required for most jobs, the requirement was simply added as a way to screen applicants - but now it's outlived it's usefulness.

Any evidence for the idea that employers are figuring this out? Like more up to date data showing that job growth is more likely to be found in positions that don't require a BA?

You might find more success without a degree in smaller cities vs. DC/NY/LA etc. My nieces and nephews in Norfolk seem to be doing fine without college. One works for a big insurance company that hired her to work customer phone lines and then they train and promote from within. Another did auto tech in HS, worked for a dealer for a while, and now has his own auto repair business. Another trained as a tree trimmer and has his own business doing that. All own their own homes, have kids, seem happy with their lives. Key is to live in a low-cost area where it is more common to not go to college.

One problem with this approach is that the quality of life is garbage in most low cost areas where going to college is uncommon.

Not garbage but definitely doesn't have the options of a big, affluent city. Another factor, having similar family, is that the experience of people who grew up there and have big family networks is going to be different than someone who just moved there. My relatives like this do fine but part of that is that they all use grandma for childcare which is a huge savings. Also, where you went to HS matters and people mostly stick with those long-established friendships.

Huh. I keep up with Hs friends in a Christmas card and FB sort of way. But my closest friends are from college and law school. Once I got out of the rural South, I was out. Which means most of my friends and network are in the area where I went to college in law school (which are close to each other).

Well yeah that’s because you got out.