Posted on 04/22/2014 9:11:31 AM PDT by reaganaut1
Every time a new study comes out regarding the “payoff” from college, I wonder: Will this finally be the one that takes note of widespread underemployment among recent grads and comprehends the impact of credential inflation?
In February, Pew Research released a study on the effects of college but the instant I saw the title, I was sure that this would not be one that broke out of the usual “college is a great investment” model. That study, “The Rising Cost of Not Going to College,” actually moves further in the wrong direction by telling people that those who don’t go to college are penalizing themselves.
The many “college is a great investment” papers present statistics showing that, on average, individuals who have college educations earn more than do people without them. They left the conclusion, “If you aren’t planning on college, you really should,” implicit.
Pew, however, makes that explicit. “If you don’t go to college, you’ll lose out big time” is the message it sends.
What makes that message particularly distressing is the fact that more and more young Americans who have their college degrees are unable to find jobs they couldn’t have gotten straight out of high school—or maybe even while still in high school. They’re often struggling with large college debts. And yet this study tells them that going to college is more important than ever.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
It all depends what your degree is in. A degree in African American or women’s studies is worthless, while a degree in engineering will land you a good job.
Lower standards (including identity studies) and more financial aid means more people with college degrees who are, well, stupid. Plus, Obamanomics. However, having a college degree gives you a better chance at getting a job than not having one.
http://www.mybudget360.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/college-unemployment.png
Of course, you’re in a ton of debt when you’re finished and salaries are horrible.
The only thing a liberal arts college degree is worth is the box on the job application that says college degree.
Basically kids are going into debt for $100,000 so they can potentially get an interview.
The entire education system is just a vehicle for funding billions of dollars to liberals who would starve to death if they actually had to work to support themselves.
If all you do is programming, I would agree.
However to me, a “programmer” does much more than just code...They are a business analyst, project manager, and subject matter expert as well. If you can’t do those things as well, then yes, your prospects will not be very good over time.
And they do. I’m starting a PhD program next semester, and they have every intention of making a Marxist out of me.
>>However to me, a “programmer” does much more than just code...They are a business analyst, project manager, and subject matter expert as well. If you can’t do those things as well, then yes, your prospects will not be very good over time.<<
You are describing an analyst. Programming is just slinging code. In the industry that distinction is critical.
Programmers say “I write programs.” Analysts say “I develop solutions.”
It is terminology but it is an important distinction. I 100% guarantee that when I see a resume that features programming it goes in the bit bucket...
>> I’m starting a PhD program next semester, and they have every intention of making a Marxist out of me.<<
Your job: make Capitalists out of them.
A "computer school?" What exactly is that?
And I would argue, there's a big difference between "learning" a language, and understanding software design and architecture, security, human factors in interfaces, communications' skills, data architecture, software optimzation, etc.
My point is, don't confuse "writing code" with designing well-functioning software. A four-year degree in CS, MIS, and other engineering disciplines typically demands more from its students than they would from a 12- or 18-month program. The "computer schools" you refer to typically focus on a hot language or skill (Java, MS certification, etc.), and many students can't make the leap if they're exposed to something else.
I would bet that a lot of the people that worked on the HeathCare.gov site only went to "computer schools."
Value of a “degree” varies given market conditions.
Value of “education”....priceless.
Programmers are basically fungible. There really is no future in it today.
The only thing a liberal arts college degree is worth is the box on the job application that says college degree.
Basically kids are going into debt for $100,000 so they can potentially get an interview.
So we will clandestinely take to educating ourselves in underground 'STEM cells'.
HA! HA! HA! HA! See what I did there?
You’d be better off learning a high demand trade.
Employers need to get a clue and take a lesson from Rosie the Riveter.
Most reasonably intelligent people can be trained to do most jobs. And to do them rather well.
College...it’s the new high school.
And we, as a society, should applaud tradesmen as strongly as we do College Degrees.”
So agree. But we, as a society, seem to put the “dirty hands jobs” in the same category as Bible tottin’, gun carryin’, small government advocates.
Friend’s son finished a two year electrician’s program offered at a four year college five years ago. Started his own company two years ago. Has four employees now, all have new trucks, has huge home, two new babies and his wife handles their business affairs. Totally debt free. Took and continues to take a lot of hours but he loves it.
I was a high school dropout who ended up as a paint room foreman with the responsibility to maintain, program and operate robotics.
All it took was an interest and a willingness to learn.
Yes, and what we have become is the Elitist States of America, where having no college degree makes you a stoopid hillbilly inbred non-person. The plumbers and electricians can laugh all the way to the bank.
>>All it took was an interest and a willingness to learn.<<
It is sadly amazing how rare those qualities are.
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