Posted on 03/02/2023 8:27:18 PM PST by SeekAndFind
I've worked with some who fit that profile who had so-called engineering degrees. They weren't worth the money they were paid.
“Better to work at Starbucks AFTER high school, so you don’t waste tens of thousands of dollars going in debt to pay for a useless college degree.”
Only to wind up working at Starbucks.
I think they only examined real degrees.
So that (for example) a Starbuck's barista with a degree in women's studies is not included in the statistics.
I wouldn’t do plumbing for any amount. AWFUL.
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That’s why we have choices not forced labor.
A lot of guys start out in plumbing. Then get certified as welders. Then get certified in HVAC. Then get certified as electricians (or at least some of the above). Then they can work as subcontractors. Then they hire a few people and expand the business. A lot of them end up doing pretty well for themselves - especially if they’re willing to get more certifications and work hard.
Five years after graduation, 1985 geography graduates from North Carolina State averaged five million dollars income. There were 12 of them. One of them was Michael Jordan. Geography at NC State: The road to riches!
You mentioned going to a trade school. Based on what I’ve seen & heard you may very well be right. I worked most of my years as a skilled mechanic & never made what they said I should be making, but maybe a trade is still a good answer. It might make quite a difference as to which trade you ply or the area where you work. Actually now that I am retired, I do better (for several reasons) living on S.S. than I ever did working as a mechanic, so I would hesitate recommending that particular trade to a young person unless they have some assurance of what they will be making. Be VERY wary of working on commission until you are sure of just how many hours you can turn in.
Theology should probably be removed. Virtually everyone I know with theology degrees is in full time ministry and knew going in that the degree was not for added income, but for added knowledge to help in their ministry.
The rest are completely expected.
It is also why plumbers can charge a boatload
of money for what they do.
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Yep freedom of choice.
“We must learn to honor excellence in every socially accepted human activity, however humble the activity, and to scorn shoddiness, however exalted the activity. An excellent plumber is infinitely more admirable than an incompetent philosopher. The society that scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.”
—John Gardner, “Excellence”
I think they left some factors out.. Esp for Ed..
Varies by location..
But, in many locations as a state employee they may be exempted from state income tax (or some portion).
their health care is massively subsidized by the state. And would be “cadillac” status. in some locations, their health care is entirely paid by the state.
Life time state backed pensions.
So, while their take home may be lower, once the benefits are factored in, I think it looks quite a bit better.
my son has an mdiv and jean ordained pastor. Pay is not great but the benefit package is out of this world. 😃
“ Where does the always popular ‘Gender Studies’ fit in there”
It’s not popular, first of all, and second, the list is of employed people working full time, which excludes most “studies” majors.
Got my degree in Archaeology. It required heavy doses of science and history. Went an extra year to get teaching cert. Taught biological science along with geography, and history.
I started without a major. I enjoyed classes in philosophy but took classes in a variety of subjects. One economics professor threw out the script and talked about the money he was making. Perhaps that was a bit crass, but it was eye opening.
He taught at the university, but also consulted part time with large firms which were headquartered in the state. He said he taught because he enjoyed it, not because it paid well. I suspect he said the same thing to the head of the department.
My favorite philosophy professor had been in the seminary. I cautiously asked him what he was earning. He was kind enough to tell me.
The economics professor was earning twice as much from the school as the philosophy professor. From a competitive standpoint, the school had to pay enough to keep people from leaving. Each professor had alternatives. The economist proved that he could make good money working for industry. The philosopher could return to the seminary. Given the alternatives, it made sense that the school paid the economist more.
I stopped taking classes in philosophy.
I am a public school teacher, but didn’t arrive at that the traditional way through a college program/degree - I came out of the corporate world in manufacturing and high tech. Many teachers I meet that have gone through the college degree route have no/very little experience in handling kids or working with others. They also have virtually no experience in their field - and the kids know this and take advantage of it. The brainwashing and indoctrination of our kids is provided by brainwashed and indoctrinated teachers who were taught by brainwashed and indoctrinated colleges. Sad.
RE: I am a public school teacher, but didn’t arrive at that the traditional way through a college program/degree - I came out of the corporate world in manufacturing and high tech
Did you go back to college to get an education degree? In the NYC Public school system, they won’t even consider you ( except under extreme circumstances ), if you don’t have an education degree.
I seldom see machining listed as a career choice, but qualified machinists are always in demand and the pay is decent for hands-on type work. I was making $78k when I retired last year after working 50 years in the field, and I was never without a job.
Anyone of reasonable intelligence that likes making things, has a practical knowledge of math and good spatial perception could become a good machinist.
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