Posted on 10/11/2006 5:50:05 PM PDT by shrinkermd
Six years ago, as his 11th-grade classmates struggled with the college-application ritual, Toby Hughes tried to envision his future.
A Georgia honors student with a 1350 SAT score, he knew he wanted to go into computer science, so he went to local computer companies and asked what they wanted in an employee. "They told me I would be more marketable if I had practical technical training as opposed to theoretical academic training," says Mr. Hughes.
He began taking specialized computer-networking classes while still in high school, landed a $52,000 job after graduating, and now, at 24, makes well past that.
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
"...Many more have been going to college without really knowing why and finding out they don't acquire the skills they need to get a job," says Ms. Hendershot. "Now the conversation has started over how to create shorter, alternative pathways
he went to local computer companies and asked what they wanted in an employee. "They told me I would be more marketable if I had practical technical training as opposed to theoretical academic training," says Mr. Hughes.
Yeah, this is probably true in the short term. Companies love fresh meat with the latest skills. However, when this guy is in his mid-30s, the will probably find that people want to see the CS degree before moving him into management. This is all the more true if he wants to switch companies. I'm sure there are a few superstars who will defy gravity, but they are the exceptions, not the rule.
Other good options. HVAC technician, electrical tech, bartender, beautician, CAD designer. Many options for todays yoot.
Actually, a lot of people have no business being in college. It's a waste of their time and their parents money.
He's making more now than most managers do, and without worrying about job security.
And after they outsource his job to someone in India or Brazil he'll be making six bucks an hour as a Wal-Mart greeter.
Tell me about it. They are paying fire watches and hole watches $20 an hour in some refineries. Craftsmen wages have been growing wild lately. Not enough people going into the pipefitter,boilermaker etc. crafts lately.
But it does give you a chance to find out if that is the career you want, and most intelligent people I know who chose these pathways continue their education, constantly acquiring new skills.
There is also the added bonus that some companies may pay for your continuing education.
Then you of all people should know that anyone in IT is expendible these days. And that in many, perhaps most companies, solid experience doesn't count as much as a lower bill rate does. I'd say that easily 40 percent of our network people are off-shore.
Yup. And they waste a lot of tax dollars, too. How many Shakespeare-quoting french fry chefs do we need?
I'm a firm believer in vocational ed and am glad to see it getting the credit it deserves. Too many kids are sold the lie that college is the only route, only to go to college and earn worthless degrees.
This bears repeating. I tutor mathematics and physics at my school - and well over half of the students who come to me (or any other tutor) for extra help are in remedial math courses. These kids are failing basic arithmetic. Sorry to be a jerk, but if you don't know your multiplication tables, wet your pants at the sight of a fraction, and are bewildered by long division, you have no business in college.
I was wondering when the light would finally go on.
Installing or maintaining health care equipment. With aging baby-boomers, the health care needs will be growing for decades. Also, specialized nursing or pharmacy.
Trophy degrees at expensive universities don't pay the rent.
No kidding!
As business owners we were SHOCKED to learn kids needed calculators to figure 10% of something.
Be watchful for some extremely bright students with problems. My youngest managed to survive into advanced algebra on sheer memory and intuition. Then she went into a nosedive.
When I finally figured out what was wrong, it turns out that she never really understood handling fractions. A little remedial help and she took off again.
Yeah, this is probably true in the short term. Companies love fresh meat with the latest skills. However, when this guy is in his mid-30s, the will probably find that people want to see the CS degree before moving him into management. This is all the more true if he wants to switch companies. I'm sure there are a few superstars who will defy gravity, but they are the exceptions, not the rule.
You are absolutely right, but your argument is incomplete. He can go to night school for the BS or BA and be way ahead of the pack if he wants to. This guy sounds like a winner. He seems as though he would ask a similar question when he wants to advance ("What's it take to get a lead position here?" or "How do I make myself management material here?") He will find out what it takes and he will achieve it.
He's making more now than most managers do, and without worrying about job security.
Again, what I have seen is that high tech loves young guys with the latest skills. They are energetic, motivated, and will to work long hours relatively cheaply. However, they want to suck these guys dry--without reinvesting in their training. When they make it into their 30s and have families, and their skills are somewhat dated, they don't fare as well. Also, trust me, you don't learn as well in your forties as you do in your twenties.
As business owners we were SHOCKED to learn kids needed calculators to figure 10% of something.
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I was mystified as to why employers seek college grads for jobs that used to be done by high school dropouts until I started talking to a few recent college graduates and found that they lacked knowledge that I had to learn in grade school. Apparently it takes four years of college now to have the equivalent of what used to be a sixth grade education.
And yes, I too am amazed at the number of people who need a calculator to figure what ten percent of a hundred dollars amounts to.
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