Is a higher education obsolete?

1. 0

   SonQuioey10posted 12 years ago

   People go to school now, been going since 2008, and they've put their money, time, and attention into getting a college degree. The university or college they go to guarantees knowledge about the subject they were pursuing, and training, more in the form of the subjects assignments. 
   
   Now it's 2012 and there are scarce jobs. People who are highly educated have get a more menial job. Almost everyone wants to offer commission based salaries, and self-employment, or no employment at all.
   
   My discussion asks, is a higher education becoming something that people would waste their time and money on. Should we be worried about what this looks like to our younger generation? Should we worry about whether they see employment and college as something that's worth the time?

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2. 60

   Eric Newlandposted 12 years ago

   I definitely think the cost-to-return value of higher education has gone down, if that sounds more sophisticated than saying "tuition prices suck."
   
   I would say that in an economy like this the smart thing to do seems to be to try to lock in a job with future potential and then worry about higher education on the side. Once things recover (whenever that happens) the prospect of going to school full time and then building a career based on your degree will make more sense again.

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3. 61

   plussizepixieposted 11 years ago

   I went to university in the 80s and qualified as a lawyer. I now have businesses both online and offline that I could have probably set up without my law degree. As I am a mother with 5 children a traditional career would no longer allow me the work / life balance I want so personally I would advise people to avoid a higher education unless it is completely essential to their chosen career path. Even most professional career paths have an alternative way of qualifying whilst earning that do not involve saddling yourself with higher education debt.

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4. 65

   Tusitala Tomposted 11 years ago

   It might be a good idea to go to a technical college and learn a trade in the building or services industries instead of going immediately for a higher academic education.  Once established as a tradie, say, carpenter, plumber, electrician, chef, hotel management, etc. then to study - if you still feel it worthwhile - to perhaps learn business management and become your own boss.
   
   In Australia, and I expect in many other countries, trades people are becoming scarce as so many forsake such working lives in the lure to become 'executives' in big business, or have dreams of some professional field when there certainly aren't enough openings for even a small percentage of them.
   
   Information Technology, once seemingly so promising, is also changing so rapidly that I'm beginning to think it's work for the very few.   Best to examine which jobs are not likely to change quickly or to fade out.   Technical advances leave so many occupations behind.

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5. 80

   LeanManposted 11 years ago

   After a degree in microbiology I took a job in an engineering company and worked my way up through the ranks, finally taking a masters degree while I worked to enhance my career prospects. Have worked in consultancy and as the GM of a company so got where I wanted to get to - now relaxing in the tropics enjoying myself and living off what I can earn online - most of which is based around my degree and my work experiences..
   My initial degree has been completely wasted and I would have been better off jumping into employment straight after school. That being said I would not have missed my Uni years for anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   
   For me that was a few years back - having worked for a couple of universities since and been involved in education in a number of different ways I would like to add that the level of education that people are getting today is highly variable! Some is absolutely crap quite frankly!

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