Student Loan Debt?

[paulsharvey]

Also, don't know if its still common practice; but at the University of Florida, it was common for a professor to mandate buying a book that The professor wrote. Seems like a clear case of conflict of instant by a government employee. The defense of thus practice I heard, was, there are only so many experts in whatever, and "our professors are wold leading experts, who write most of the current books"

 

[paulsharvey]

Every university I’m familiar with has different meal plans. You pick the number of meals per week.

UNF does too, but for 1st year students, it mandates a min of 14/week.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, I've said many times, I'm not anti college; but at an office I was associated with, we had a secretary/front desk, lady who had a masters in business administration. Now, after 3 or 4 years, she got moved up to something like junior local HR rep, but its still a $54k job. You can do better than that with Far less education.

 

[jyoutz]

UNF does too, but for 1st year students, it mandates a min of 14/week.

Ah, that’s what some universities do. They require them to stay in campus housing for their freshman year, so they have to have the full meal plan.

 

[jyoutz]

So, I've said many times, I'm not anti college; but at an office I was associated with, we had a secretary/front desk, lady who had a masters in business administration. Now, after 3 or 4 years, she got moved up to something like junior local HR rep, but it’s still a $54k job. You can do better than that with Far less education.

And she can do better than that. My son has a masters in business finance and is making double that two years after graduating. But he had to move around to find opportunities.

 

[paulsharvey]

I'm a bit jaded; I have 2 sisters, and 1 brother, all Much higher educated than me. Oldest got a Bach in English, with minor in environmental something (wanted to be a nature writer); who went back multiple times, and after close to 12 years total, got a masters in environmental something (not engineering), and makes around $60k. 2nd sister was a physical therapist and got a doctorate, and now teaches at a community College (don't know pay range, but got to be less than $100); me with an associates in Building, and work as an inspector, doing OK; and my little brother, who got Bach in Communication after failing out of mechanical engineering, and he drives a concrete truck. I'm not crapping on their jobs, but none of those are using that education to its full extent.

 

[paulsharvey]

BIL and his wife both drive OTR, team (that too much together time to be healthy...) and each make around $90k/year.

 

[jyoutz]

I'm a bit jaded; I have 2 sisters, and 1 brother, all Much higher educated than me. Oldest got a Bach in English, with minor in environmental something (wanted to be a nature writer); who went back multiple times, and after close to 12 years total, got a masters in environmental something (not engineering), and makes around $60k. 2nd sister was a physical therapist and got a doctorate, and now teaches at a community College (don't know pay range, but got to be less than $100); me with an associates in Building, and work as an inspector, doing OK; and my little brother, who got Bach in Communication after failing out of mechanical engineering, and he drives a concrete truck. I'm not crapping on their jobs, but none of those are using that education to its full extent.

People make their own choices. For many people, job satisfaction is more important than money. For others, they aren’t ambitious enough to pursue opportunities. Many people refuse to move, and in today’s society/economy moving is often necessary to succeed in a career.

 

[ultrarunner]

Today, having a college degree is basically worthless unless you want to work at a fast food joint.

Much better to learn a trade like becoming an AWS certified welder for instance, or a tool and die maker or an electrician.

I thought likewise and went that route before engineering.

Certified welder, Tool Maker Certificates, IAMBA Union Tool and Machine shop contracting with NASA, DelMonte, Kelloggs, James River, Owens Illinois, Caterpilar, etc…

All the job shops, fab shops, foundries, canneries, Paper Mills, etc… long gone just as the shops that served them.

I found Property Management far more lucrative… plus freedom when your name is on the door.

Medical Engineering totally different and not nearly as lucrative but comes with for lack of a better word prestige… but it’s 24/7 365 days a year and many aspects are critical life safety issues.

I think if I had a redo my time would be best spent in the world of commercial real estate…

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

It's all about choices and desires. In the end, the borrower should be responsible for their own bad choices. I have no degree, but push near $300k. I got lucky that I had a passion for a lucrative trade and spent 20 years in it. The degree I was pursuing before I dropped out, probably wouldn't have provided this way for my family.
Choices and desires. In the end you are responsible for your outcome.