How many of you have college degrees?

[tunick001]

My mom and dad are disappointed that I never finished college. They often refer to my education level as a reason for me for not having a great paying job. I always tell them I'm not the only person without a degree. So I'm asking how many of you have degrees and what type of degree do you have.

[DOGMAN]

I have a BS in Anthropolgy. Although, I did not choose a career path that requires a degree- none the less I am glad I went to college. I feel my education enriches my life and it helped me to further develop critical thinking skills that benefit me in all aspects of life.
I had a pretty sheltered childhood, and parents that were close-minded, so college opened my eyes to other possibilities, and helped me see that beliefs, culture, etc...are relative and unique to the individual- not carved in stone as some people would like us to believe.

[TBBucs]

I get my high school diploma in 12 days.

[Rick]

"The average income of a high school graduate is $28,700 versus $53,800 for individuals with a bachelor's degree. In terms of lifetime income, a typical high school graduate would expect, in present value terms, an income of $940,000. By comparison, a typical college graduate would expect to earn, in present value terms, $1.8 million or almost twice as much as an individual with only a high school education."

Source: California State University

http://www.csulb.edu/president/gover...act/index.html

That said, it's also important to note that not everyone wants to earn $54K a year. Some value the view out their back door far more or enjoy a lower paying job because it's what they are inspired to do. Everyone is different and you have to find your place, where ever that is, that makes you content.

We need engineers and computer scientists but we also need laborers and police and small business people and.....

Someone once commented to Dave Thomas that eduction wasn't all that important. He'd done very well and he didn't complete his eduction. "Imagine what I could have done if I had completed it." We all second guess ourselves no matter what direction we take in life.

[Rick]

Good for you TBBucs!!

[Ken]

Tunick, you're 31. The most important thing is to be happy with what you do for a living. But, that includes earning sufficient income to comfortably provide for yourself, your family and your future. Only you and your family know what you need (not want) to be comfortable and content as the years go by.

In any event, going back to school can open up new opportunities you may have never considered. Think about that. If there's a field you're interested in, enroll in an evening course and learn more about it. You never know. Education never hurt anyone.

In 1985, I was teaching at one of those internationally-known "Bawston" (as Sam says) colleges, and a dean offered me the opportunity to obtain a second doctorate with about 18 months of intensive study. My then-wife told me that 9 years of college and grad school was enough, and that she'd divorce me if I went back to school. Now, I wish I'd have taken that dean up on his offer.

My degrees?

Bachelor of Arts/Political Science
Concentrations in Public Administration and Eastern Political Systems

Bachelor of Science/Business Administration
Concentration in Operations and Systems Management

Juris Doctor (Doctor of Laws)

My kids asked me about becoming lawyers and I gave them my advice. Result? My oldest son just became an environmental engineer. My daughter's working on her degree in accounting. My youngest guy still isn't sure.

But I sure wish I'd gotten that second doctorate!

[wildWoman]

Depending on what you're doing with your life, a degree may not be the way to go at all, especially what with all the student loans you'll have to pay off after. If your aim is to work and make money and buy things, a degree might come in handy. If you're more interested in actually living your life, learning all sorts of things that interest you, pursueing your passions...I don't know why you'd need to spend thousands of $$ at college for that?!
I have a BSW but am too much of a social misfit for a normal life, so instead of conforming to the grunt of the rat race, I now live very happily on less than social assistance money like a bum in the woods. In one way, I guess that makes me a total failure, but IMO I have learned 1,000 times more than I ever did in school by following my gut feeling and doing the things that make me happy. Most parents first and foremost want their kids to be happy, so hopefully yours get adjusted to your choices in time...

[Ken]

If you're happy, you haven't failed. You've won.

[Rick]

See, tunick? Everyone second guesses their decisions no matter what they are. If your mind is open you will receive an education. It can either be formal, informal or both. The two things no one can take away from you is your moral compass and your knowledge. Cherish both no matter what you decide to do.

[crashdive123]

Bacheor of Science in Education.

[Arkansas_Ranger]

I went to college knowing that I'd graduate, but while there I could never decide what I wanted to do. Despite the fact that I feel I wasted a lot of time I still managed to graduate a semester early. I have a Bachelor of Science with a primary concentration (not a major) in "social and behavioral sciences" and a secondary concentration (not a minor) in "natural science." I took a few random classes afterwards and began working on a master's in school administration. I was teaching at the time and thought being a principal would be cool. I got tired of teaching so I quit, did other things, went back for an accounting degree. I got 2/3 of that finished and was hired into a police job I wanted so I quit working on the accounting. In essence, I have one really "B.S." B.S. degree. I'd like a master's in something. I've got my eye on a few.

[Ken]

Go for it, Ranger!

[Rick]

I think I was like 43 when I completed my MBA. Something like that. We had a couple of folks in the class that were in their 50s and one that was in his 60s. It's not too late.

Tunick - What's your cut on this? After all, that's the most important opinion in this thread. It is about you.

[Ken]

I think I was like 43 when I completed my MBA. Something like that. We had a couple of folks in the class that were in their 50s and one that was in his 60s. It's not too late.

Tunick - What's your cut on this? After all, that's the most important opinion in this thread. It is about you.

So you got that MBA in what, 1972?

[Rick]

I wish....1872.

[Ken]

I wish....1872.

Thanks, I just spit a mouthful of coffee all over the place. What a mess .......

[Sam Reeves]

I almost feel inadequate even posting in this thread. I'm 32 years and in about a year and nine months I'll graduate from local technical college. I'm studying Automotive Technology. Not a big degree that boast some acronym. I salute you folks that paid yer dues compared to all the hell raising I did during my teens and late twenties. I do have to wonder how many of y'all are weekend warriors vs. real cowboys. I want to be the guy that works on folks like Rick and Ken's car. I'm not much of a people person so I've always been the guy that builds or fixes things.

Anyway your education is definitely important. I wish I would have at least acquired an Associates Degree.

[Sam Reeves]

Thanks, I just spit a mouthful of coffee all over the place. What a mess .......

Look out, Rick. I see a lawsuit coming.

[crashdive123]

Sam - There's a saying that I believe is very true. Learn a trade and you will never go hungry.

[Rick]

Man. Don't understand the inadequate remark. There's nothing wrong with being 32, graduating technical college or working on cars for a living. My mechanic and I are close personal friends. If the van or the truck isn't parked in front of his shop on Monday morning he's calling to see if I'm sick.....

My hats off to you, Sam. You set a goal and you are working toward it. That's good stuff all the way around.