Is there any point in going to college? Is it even WORTH IT? Please help!

[WingsOfEagles]

I don’t know about what it is life for teaching where you live, but here as soon as a person has their teaching degree, unless they have some serious hindrance (a criminal record, a history of violence, etc) you can get on the sub-list almost immediately pretty easily, and start substitute teaching while waiting to apply for a more permanent position. I have several friends who can easily support themselves (new car, own their own place, etc) subbing and actually find it more enjoyable than teaching full time because it’s less stressful. You just have to remember to save for the summer months.

With a teaching degree you can also earn extra money on the side tutoring either privately or with a company.

Yes, a teaching degree in anything also qualifies you to be an Ed Tech. The other thing is that any four-year degree gives you a leg up in a restaurant or retail store for management positions. It doesn’t matter what you went to school for. The same applies to many secretarial jobs.

I do think I understand what was being said though. A musician/artist should major in Music Ed or Art Ed because that’s all they can do to make money. They need to want to teach too.

 

[ringil]

But one does have to support oneself and if male, eventually a family (unless a vocation is discerned).

Most couples both work today. The minority of families are called towards a single-income earning situation and that is fine but boys and men don’t need to “plan” to support a family on their own.

My wife makes MUCH more money than I do for instance and neither of us couldn’t care less because both of us really love what we do. What she loves just happens to pay more than what I love to do.

At the moment I am the stay-at-home-dad so there’s to the 50’s style family structure.

 

[WingsOfEagles]

Most couples both work today. The minority of families are called towards a single-income earning situation and that is fine but boys and men don’t need to “plan” to support a family on their own.

My wife makes MUCH more money than I do for instance and neither of us couldn’t care less because both of us really love what we do. What she loves just happens to pay more than what I love to do.

At the moment I am the stay-at-home-dad so there’s to the 50’s style family structure.

I think it is fine for a woman to work outside the home, but the man should have an income that could support a family. That doesn’t mean it is a high income (wife could potentially make more), but it should be livable. For example, nothing wrong with a man being a teacher. It’s a modest income, but above poverty level.

 

[Wildkit]

Maria:

You are educated enough to at least communicate on the internet, so I sense you can also answer your own question by typing in the question to google, but then you likely know that. I sense you are looking for a pep talk and great! You already know the answer to your question. Stanford may not be the best option, but plenty of other places to consider including community colleges, Jr. colleges and the like.

You are in my prayers.

 

[ringil]

I think it is fine for a woman to work outside the home, but the man should have an income that could support a family. That doesn’t mean it is a high income (wife could potentially make more), but it should be livable. For example, nothing wrong with a man being a teacher. It’s a modest income, but above poverty level.

I don’t differentiate sex roles in this particular arena. Spouses provide for the family.

 

[WingsOfEagles]

I don’t differentiate sex roles in this particular arena. Spouses provide for the family.

There is always the issue of what would happen if the husband passed away. The wife should have skills to provide for a family too. However, I think (and I am a woman with a college degree and full-time job) that women can often “get away” with not having a job that would support a family. The social stigma isn’t as great and a lot of men won’t think twice about supporting her.

 

[Nils]

Here in Sweden people raised their eyebrows BECAUSE I went to university straight after high school. Normally you are expected to work and travel for some time first, figure out what you want in life. It is very relaxed here, even too relaxed I guess! Some people do not go to school until they are in their thirties, sometimes they already have started a family etc.

I know the US is very different in many aspects, but is there any reason why you cannot do something else for a little while? I met some kids in France who had been volunteering at different places in the US, I cannot see why you could not do the same? I know that L’Arche is quite popular to volunteer at here in Europe, but I am sure there are many other places if you would like something else better! Normally they give you food and a place to stay. Or join the military? Or…

The world is so big and there is so much for you out there! It is not as scary as it may seem, have a little faith in that!

 

[TheRealJuliane]

There is always the issue of what would happen if the husband passed away. The wife should have skills to provide for a family too. However, I think (and I am a woman with a college degree and full-time job) that women can often “get away” with not having a job that would support a family. The social stigma isn’t as great and a lot of men won’t think twice about supporting her.

That is what life insurance is for.

 

[Allegra]

If you have a passion for music, one career you might consider is music therapy. It’s pretty high in demand right now, but it will most likely require going away to school for at least two years because very few college offer this degree. (Hence, the reason it’s in demand.)

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I don’t think he was discouraging her so much as saying she need not rush things.

According to the OP she isn’t rushing things. She’s been out of high school and isn’t in college and isn’t working. The economy is hard right now so even getting a job waiting tables night not be possible, but she’s interested in college so she should explore it more.

OP, go to your local community college and talk to the advisors there. Or go back to your high school and talk to your guidance counselor. Either of those people can help you with the process of finding out about programs and applying to school.

I hope you went to the college fair. Or even a jobs fair - to see what kind of jobs are hiring. There is almost always work in the caring services (elder care, child care, etc) and medical fields - not just doctors and nurses, but technicians, therapists, and other jobs that don’t require all the school that being a Dr does.

As others have said, work in the trades can be a very good job. I’m not sure how much need there is right now for plumbers, etc. since the housing crash. But look into it anyway.

Like Ringil, I am a strong believer in education. However, some people do better if they are more motivated and focused as TheRealJuliane said.

 

[WingsOfEagles]

That is what life insurance is for.

Life Insurance doesn’t last for ever. It is important that a woman could work if she needed to.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Life Insurance doesn’t last for ever. It is important that a woman could work if she needed to.

I agree. And there is also the time before she gets married when she will need to support herself. Also, her husband may become ill or injured and not be able to work and she needs to support the whole family.

I just can’t get behind the notion that a woman shouldn’t have the same education or job possibilities as a man. Not because I’m a feminist, but because I am a realist. There are too many situations when she may need to support herself and other members of her family, or at least help support.

 

[TrueLight]

In my household not college is not an option. You have to at least do community college.

I’m glad to read all those accounts of people making $80K without a college degree.

I don’t know where you live, but I don’t find that to be the case.

Yes, someone without a college degree can conceivably make more than someone with a degree but in this world we live in, you want to make sure you have as much career advantage as you can.

And guess what? You actually get an education in college. A college education is not the same thing as a high school education.

So Ringil, I do agree with you.

 

[ringil]

And guess what? You actually get an education in college. A college education is not the same thing as a high school education.

So Ringil, I do agree with you.

Thanks TrueLight!

NO WAY is my daughter going to have both parents with advanced degrees and not have at least a bachelor’s degree herself. Not unless she simply isn’t bright enough to make it.

And I would be one SORELY disappointed parent.

 

[R_C]

Only 1% of the world population receives a college education.

Going to college is a great blessing, and one we could never deserve.

Do not be disturbed. Only the Lord knows where we are called to be. Not all of us - as even the simple statistic shows - are called to go to college. But if we find ourselves pursuing a career in an institute of higher education, let God’s will be done.

Do not worry about tomorrow, and do the best for the day. That’s hard enough.

Perhaps tomorrow, after you completed your degree, you will be able to help not only yourself and your family, but also many innocents around you who are in great need. Because it is not up to us to know through which means will the Lord grant us our daily bread. Perhaps for you it is through a college degree.

Perhaps you may benefit from some spiritual direction. In the meanwhile, let us pray the Lord to grant you His peace, which is the only true peace: the peace amidst tribulations.

 

[LisaA]

Thanks TrueLight!

NO WAY is my daughter going to have both parents with advanced degrees and not have at least a bachelor’s degree herself. Not unless she simply isn’t bright enough to make it.

And I would be one SORELY disappointed parent.

ringil don’t you think your daughter must really want to go to college? Both of my parents had PhD’s so lots of education emphasis when I was growing up. My sister was never a very diligent student and never went to college (four year) although she did go to a two year program and became a nurse. I suspect college would not have been the right thing for her. I am sure she was smart enough but didn’t have any kind of goal and didn’t want to study that hard at the time she got out of high school. She drifted around for about ten years before going back for her RN.

This is what I saw when in college and later when taking some post-bac courses. Lots of students were just there to be there. They changed majors numerous times, didn’t know what they wanted, didn’t have any plans for a career. After three or four years they would frantically try to figure out some kind of major so at least they graduated but there was no real career path. It’s so expensive now that I think people ought to have a little more focus on their objectives before putting in the time and money.

Lisa

 

[St_Francis]

No, but your thoughts appear to be shaped by the anti-intellectualism of the Right.

“Don’t go to College.” It’s the newest trend in the Right- pretty shameful.

I am trying to respond to one person in one particular situation, not make a political statement.

The number of young adults in this country struggling with student debt is really high. Some are now paying for the fun they had in college by postponing marriage, children, buying a house, or saving for retirement. This may have something to do with people’s beginning to reconsider college as the norm for after high school. Some people may prefer to chain themselves to high amounts of debt only when they can leverage it i to something which will allow them to pay it back.

 

[Warandpeace]

I am amazed that I am finding a thread like this on a Catholic forum. Catholics were always in the forefront on education here in the USA.

Something has changed. I understand the need to supress knowledge to go about an agenda.
The Catholic Church that I know, has done much to make college education accesible and available and believes in it, unless I am wrong again.

What is going on here now and why?

In answer to your question, knowledge is always worth it. You have to want it and do something with the gifts you have. No one here is qualifyed to guide your next step.

You need to take control of your destiny.

That means you don’t have to get your advice here by anyone.

Get excited about something. You sound as if you just don’t care and are not passionate about anything.

Get out in the world and see what reasons you will have to be passionate. Wherever they lead you.

college is a great way to make friends, meet people, and network about your future. Many schools have Catholic ministries as well.

I know a few people who did art in college. One girl in particular has a show every six months…it just doesn’t pay the bills. She babysits on the side.

Whatever you decide to do, our prayers go with you!

 

[nordskoven]

“Pray and work.” --St. Benedict
Get a novena and pray it with the special intention of finding your vocation. Ask the old lady at church with twelve kids to pray for getting training for and finding a good job.

Before pulling any educational trigger, take some of those free vocation/aptitude tests online. See where your natural strengths are.

Consider that student loans won’t go away even in bankruptcy. And they will hunt you down through friends and family members if you drop off their radar. Financing your own education is wise. Maybe do a Pell Grant for the first semester then cut the ties with the system and pay-as-you-go, please.

Take the $5 Amen Clinic brain test. Dr. Amen is the guy who does those PBS specials showing scans of brains after drugs, junk food, alcohol, football trauma; and after reparative drug and nutritional therapy. This will show what area of your brain has unique strengths to play on, and what can be beefed up to function better, and if you are an under-fired or over-fired thinker. Handy. Might get you off the NutraSweet. amenclinics.com/

Postal workers, librarians, mechanics, plumbers, these are getting streamlined to the point of being utterly transformed. Internet email punked the post office and internet uber-librarians; electric cars mean they will change tires, lube wheels and swap battery packs, not wrench engines; and plumbing is going plastic so no sweating copper pipes, just crunching connectors which can be done by amateurs.

Portability is good. Recycling, even via thrift stores, will be perpetual. Ditto electrical stuff, with high/low-voltage apps like HVAC and rewiring for low-voltage standard and solar, and vehicles. And there’s always a market for the efficient, creative chef. Beyond that, ask God for details on portable careers so you can walk out of your neighborhood and get a passport and go anywhere with your skill.

Get info on Pell Grants and take all the technical career applicable courses. If it’s an English class writing poetry versus essays, take challenging essays. In fact, most CEO’s are English majors. Get the math that applies to accounting versus theoretical math, writing programs for computers versus history of computers, Latin for medical or legal fields or Spanish for public service, grant writing versus play writing…

Just watched another PBS special on happiness. Harvard scholar studied happiness, gives five disciplines to being happy. Take 21 days to adopt these into your life. Good advice for all:

–Write down 3 gratitudes daily for 21 days. Get out 21 3X5 cards to prep it and make it easy to really do it.

–Focus on the positive. And share it.

–Exercise, and that’s 20 minutes daily, please. Burns off all that snarky cortisol without upregulating cortisol.

–Meditate. Roy Masters Observation Meditation is my favorite, and is a free download at: fhu.com/ I also like Roy Masters’ suggestion to lay aside ambition as being a source of misery. It’s that woulda-coulda-shoulda stuff that hurts. Just do the next thing.

–Write and send a positive message via email or note.

This will ripple through society through a couple of dozen people and will bang into all the other happiness makers’ people. Blessings! And by the way, “You look mah-velous!”

 

[Joannm]

I am a social worker and I get paid squat- have a Masters and make half of what an average plumber makes in a year- but I do receive enormous satisfaction from helping people meet their potential.

Try having a doctorate and working for the church. If I didn’t love my job…