Student Loan Debt?

[kenmbz]

Fastest Growing Occupations

20 occupations with the highest projected percent change of employment

www.bls.gov

The problem with these charts is they have a 2 year lag and we have seen a lot of changes in the tech and mortgage sectors.

Thanks for the info on booster clubs, that's a new one for me.
We did also think about 1 or 2 years in a local college and then transfer.
It seems that the ranks get thinned out in year 1/2 at bigger colleges and more accepting of new students in transfer.

 

[Torvy]

Pros and cons to JC first.

Pros:
cheaper tuition,
usually easier (YMMV)
smaller (some kids struggle from a small school to a big one),
live at home?,
continue working same job,
final degree still says 4 yr school name (no asterisk)

Cons:
professors assume a Jr or Sr knows their way around campus and town (may leave details out),
upper courses assume you had their lower courses and prep is usually more lined up,
Friend groups (study groups) may be harder to get into as a transfer
4yr students get inside track to campus jobs
4yr students get to know profs sooner (may lead to research opportunities
Some JC courses are too easy, leaving students ill-prepared

These are not equally weighted and may be more or less relevant to some students/schools than others

 

[jyoutz]

I tell young people, get good at something that pays the bills. When you master a skill, you will learn to like it. I dont know that Love is the right word, or enjoy; but I you master something, you get satisfaction from it. Weather that's being the best defense attorney get creeps out of jail, or the best truck driver, or septic pumper.

No matter how you look at this, septic pumper isn’t a high satisfaction job.

 

[paulsharvey]

No matter how you look at this, septic pumper isn’t a high satisfaction job.

Never actually pumped a septic tank, but I've rodded plenty of sewer lines. I would prefer doing that to working in a loan office, or insurance. But, if you're the best in the septic game, and get a truck of your own, that might be far more satisfying. Certainly not saying it's for everyone, but no job/profession/career is. If I had to wipe old people's butts in a retirement home; I'm pretty sure I would suck start a 12 gauge. Another part of thus satisfaction conversation, is the satisfaction of providing for yourself and/or family.

 

[paulsharvey]

Huge part if this whole discussion; you need to know yourself. If you Know you would hate an office job, and dread every day, don't go into accounting. If you hate to sweat, don't get into construction. I know I couldnt sell water to a man dying of thirst, and I wouldnt go into car sales.

I also acknowledge that I don't know/understand 95% of the economy. Most people get pretty 'silo'd' in their part of the world.

 

[kenmbz]

I talk to people in a lot of countries every day, Interesting to hear their take on local economy, global view and how their school system works.

 

[Eagle1]

No matter how you look at this, septic pumper isn’t a high satisfaction job.

I have my own sewer system and have been knee deep in crap before, turtle got stuck in a 6" line. Someone has to the crap jobs so civilized life can happen.

 

[WM75Guy]

Never actually pumped a septic tank, but I've rodded plenty of sewer lines. I would prefer doing that to working in a loan office, or insurance. But, if you're the best in the septic game, and get a truck of your own, that might be far more satisfying. Certainly not saying it's for everyone, but no job/profession/career is. If I had to wipe old people's butts in a retirement home; I'm pretty sure I would suck start a 12 gauge. Another part of thus satisfaction conversation, is the satisfaction of providing for yourself and/or family.

When I did bedside nursing in the hospital, I had to clean up people at times. It isn't that bad, especially if you remind yourself one day that may be me laying in the bed and how would I want to be treated. I always treated the patient with dignity and respect. Somedays that was the most satisfying part of the shift, knowing I had really helped someone that needed it. But that is why I went into nursing, to help others in need.

 

[paulsharvey]

Oh, I've been covered in sewage several times; dealing with broken forcemains (pressurized sewage), and all. I agree it's not really bad, just take your boots off before you go in the house in the evening; and probably strip down outside.

I would rather work in a sanitary manhole than flag traffic... Hate flagging traffic, it's all the bad things in one, 120 degrees, standing in one place for 14 hours, no breaks, boring, and at the same time, you have to pay attention, all while waiting on somebody to try to run you over. I've also know people who like flagging traffic, or sitting watch in a fire tower, or bridge tending....

I will say, after 6 months in community College, got a job as a plumbers helper, and the owner was strictly against mini-hoes, even on 120 ft long building sewer rough, no shade in miles. Anyways, when I got the job, I was making $7/hr, and thought that was great, but day two, all the skin on the back of my neck had pealed off from 14 hours in 100% total sun, and by day 4, the 2nd layer had peeled off to the red meat... I decided that after 6 months of that, maybe I should give college an honest try.

 

[jyoutz]

I have my own sewer system and have been knee deep in crap before, turtle got stuck in a 6" line. Someone has to the crap jobs so civilized life can happen.

Agree, and I have had nothing but septic tanks myself. It’s a necessary job, but I still can’t picture anyone liking it.