Very surprised that colleges would be closing around the country.

[slag]

Syracuse also ... when I was up there in the mid to late 70s there there were a shitload of students from the Middle East driving luxury cars ... when I've gone up there recently ... all those luxury-car-drivers are now Asian.

[Susquehanna Birder]

Yeah, even the 4-year degree should be better tied to some kind of vocational goal. There are too many BS degrees out there that do nothing to help the students manage a real career (my one kid's political science degree is one shining example).

[Eagle Road]

Yeah, even the 4-year degree should be better tied to some kind of vocational goal. There are too many BS degrees out there that do nothing to help the students manage a real career (my one kid's political science degree is one shining example).

So SB, enlighten me, (because I never had an opportunity to go to College) do kids just pick a curriculum, to just "fill out the schedule" hence the Political Science degree? Or was that something that he really had an interest in or had a line on employment in that field?


I get the feeling very few people that graduate with said degree actually work in that field, again, not throwing stones, just curious.

[Susquehanna Birder]

It varies a lot. Some are pressed to "just get a degree," so they pick whatever gets them there. My daughter had some interest in politics, so that's the direction she went. And she discovered afterward that employment in that field is pretty limited, especially if you're the type who goes through the motions because they are told to do so.

I suspect we have a lot of people in the country with degrees in philosophy, English, history, or whatever, who didn't think enough about the application of said degree in the real world. Yeah, they survived the rite of passage, and they have the sheepskin, but I don't think they're necessarily prepared for life outside of academia.

I think you're right - it seems to me that few people actually end up working in the field that they intended, though...so maybe it doesn't matter if you are schooled in nuclear medicine or bridge building or underwater basket weaving.

For what it's worth, my son in law was educated as an engineer, and he started down that path after graduating. But after a layoff, he went back to school for nursing, which is what he's doing now. His uncle started life as a doctor, but decided to redirect his career to the IT arena (albeit for a healthcare related company). Go figure.

[Eagle Road]

Just curious, I always had a thing for Architectural/Structural design, as I said, never had the chance to go, had the grades and Math skills but other things got in the way(oldest son family farm thing).


But over the years I have taken some online courses, taught myself a 3D Solid and CAD/CAM programs, and to this day all of our specialty trailers for my company are built off my specs/blueprints.


That was why I asked, had I of been able to go I would like to think that I would still be in that line of work as I find it fascinating.


But I CAN see where trying to nail down a field in your late teens/early twenties, and thinking it will be forever is quite a stretch in this ever-changing world.

[GroundedBird]

I was lucky enough to get into the computer field when back in the mid 80s.

The reason I went computers is that it was a marketable field. I have seen that field change a lot and fortunately I am still employed to date (now as a manager).

My two kids have good paying jobs in the fields they chose (one is in Supply Chain Management and another is in Health Communications) using the same philosophy I've chosen.

choosing the right field is only the start. You must be perceived to add value to your employer and you must find a way to be marketable. I just had a round table discussion on this, one person mentioned that he found Sun Tzu Art of war and career building a very valuable resource.

JMHO, For what it's worth.

[McCarthy12]

Apparently it is!

http://nypost.com/2015/03/24/cornell-dean-says-isis-welcome-on-campus-in-undercover-video/

I'm just kidding, btw.

[Susquehanna Birder]

This totally reminds me why I walked away from the corporate bullshit I painfully tolerated for 25 years.

[GroundedBird]

This totally reminds me why I walked away from the corporate bullshit I painfully tolerated for 25 years.

I'm glad you were able to walk away. Hopefully you are doing something you like doing.

[Susquehanna Birder]

The pay is less, but it's good enough. I can sleep at night and I can (barely) pay the bills. But I was headed either for the psych ward or the morgue if I didn't jump.

[RSE]

It's a different world isn't it. My high school school classmates and I are in our mid fifties. Almost all of them I speak to, even the highest performing ones, just want to make it to retirement without being fired/laid off/replaced. Instead of living our final working years relaxed and optimistic, there is great fear that someone 25 years younger and half as expensive can do your job.

[Riccardo]

That is one advantage to working for a super PC BAC

They are too fearful of age discrimination (and any other potential discrimination) lawsuits to let anyone go in their 50s (other than gross misconduct of course). I'm on cruise control for a BAC adios next year. Enough is enough

[Eagle Road]

They are too fearful of age discrimination (and any other potential discrimination) lawsuits to let anyone go in their 50s (other than gross misconduct of course). I'm on cruise control for a BAC adios next year. Enough is enough

OR, put your big boy pants on, mortgage the farm on YOUR abilities, not anyone else's and invest in starting your own business, be your own boss and call all the shots.


Yes, can be stressful, yes you could fail, definitely big risk, big reward, just depends on your financial situation, your business plan, and your work ethic, but if you are successful, there is nothing better.


It will also ruin you for being able to work for anyone else again.

[GroundedBird]

Yes, that's a very real threat. That's where the marketability comes into play. If you still have a skill that works outside of your company then it helps. And if you can still add value to your company, it might help stave off layoffs.

The biggest thing, though, might be the work ethic of the generation entering the workforce. Studies show that the millenials value the work/life balance above all things. Studies also say that they expect to be handed a high paying job. This may be the best reason for keeping the boomers longer.

Nothing is perfect, though.

[GroundedBird]

SB, I'm glad that you are less stressed.

Time is the only thing you can't recover. Spending time being overly stressed is a not a good use of time, albeit, sometimes it can't be avoided.

Well done on your part!