Why or Why Not go to College?
I often have an internal conflict on why should I go to college. My main point is that college teaches theory and not reality, nor does it properly prepare you with the skills necessary to handle it in the real world. I respect those that go to college, however, I just feel it isn’t for me.
College lacks the ability of teaching reality. College is for pretentious folk who want to validate age-old theories on topics. I am very mechanical and learn things by ‘doing’. I went straight to work during and after high school and there is not a day that goes by that I learn more business techniques and tips from my peers or management. I don’t make a LOT of money, but I earn an acceptable amount to be satisfied. When it comes down to it, I dislike the overvalued perspective employers have on college. College is just book work, and a waste of time since you will still be behind the times when it comes to graduation.
Now, why do I want to go to college? I want to go so I have the insight and accountability to prove I know what I know. I would go to college so I have the perfect blend between higher education and real-world business experience. Perhaps, I just have a slanted view of college cause I never really tried it, it might actually be cool and beneficial. I think I’ve always discounted college because I value vocational abilities more than theory.
So what I want to do is hear it from you. What do you think of higher education when it comes to real world benefits? I’m considering going, I even have our college’s course book here.
[tags]College, Education, Higher Education, Business, Benefits, Skills, Money, Goals[/tags]
I never finished college myself and I’m in a similar position. Sure I tought myself a buttload, but I did myself a huge disservice by not subjecting myself to a core set of curriculum that I’m sure I will find invaluable if I had only known I needed it.
Lastly, Claiming that college only teaches theory and not reality is an old tire meme that needs to die. While there might be some truth to that in the undergraduate level courses, what you can learn and explore in graduate and post-graduate studies will blow your mind.
The truth of the matter is when it comes to a lot of technology, the “real world” gets a lot of its inspiration from acadamia. If you’re in computer science, you should know a lot of what’s new today has been around in acadamia for decades.
Me again.
Having looked at your profile and assessed your current situation, take it from me. I’m exactly 10 years older than you, but having looked at your profile I can say pretty confidently I was more successful at 19 than you are now.
Knowing what I know now, I would definitely have stayed in school and gotten a BS and if I was smarter I would have done what many of my friends did and pursued an MS where I could really carve out a nice niche and focus my attention on it, all under the guidence of some very smart people.
If I’m coming off as a hard-ass it’s because I’m really pissed at myself for not going. I’m still fairly successful at what I do, but trends tend to change and demand for a particular expertise can dry up, or be made less relevant.
You’re going to be continually learning throughout your career(s), so you might as well develop a proper foundation of knowledge to allow you maximum lateral movement.
If I still haven’t convinced you, you may push me to doing what Tyler Durden does in Fight Club to the store clerk who wanted to be a vet.
I have your information, if you’re not on your way to getting your BS in 6 weeks…
Don’t make me get my gun. Do the right thing.
Yeah, I’m definitely reconsidering. Dossy pointed out a valid point; you network and learn from great minds on the topic. I just feel its at the make-or-break point now to go to College.
A little blunt, but that’s okay, I appreciate straightforward, upfront, passionate advice.
Also, Joe … you should consider that AOL may offer tuition reimbursement (i.e., pay for you to take classes!) … you should look into that, if financial consideration is part of what’s holding you back.
Joe, I definitely hear where you are coming from. I have a BA and an MA. I waited many years to get the MA. And for what??? I learned how to have fun in college and better manage my time. In graduate school, which I did online, I learned a few new things, but learned even better how to manage my time. So now I am in debt up to my eye balls with student loans and have learned ALOT more in the real world than I ever did in college. Of course…….my degrees are in psych and managment and I work in social services. So no real $$ there. But…..one thing I know for sure, college introduces you to lots of people and situations that you may not have otherwise. And in the real world, a degree is your ticket to a job that you might not get without the degree. Unfortunately, that is a reality. Good luck in your decision. And look at it this way, you really have nothing to loose by going to college, but alot to gain.