Is college necessary to make a reasonable living

JohnB445 said:

As in not struggling to pay bills all the time, being able to afford healthy foods and eat, have money to raise a family take them on vacation maybe once a year. Be able to afford a reasonable car.

Not rich or poor. Middle class I would say. I don't really care about material things, I spend most of my day outside the house, when I come home it is to relax mostly. I like to live simple and be minimalistic. Growing up we have so many rooms in the house that nobody even goes in there unless there is a lot of people over like a party, I think to myself what is the purpose of this space? Sure it may seem nice to people to live in a big place, but if it's not being used what's the point?

I'm not sure what I want to do exactly. People make it sound like "its either you get a college degree to be able to afford things, or else you will struggle to provide.". Like its either college or nothing.

But what if I want to be a firefighter, and paramedic, a police officer?

Can I be able to reasonably provide for myself and possibly a family later on?

I don't have much things on my wishlist. I just would like a motorcycle, and to have some free time to continue in my sports I play.

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It is possible to provide a comfortable living without a college degree. I've been doing it for years. And a college degree does not guarantee a comfortable living. Most of the people I work with have college degrees and make a good living, but I've known degreed engineers who are barely getting by.

JohnB445 said:

As in not struggling to pay bills all the time, being able to afford healthy foods and eat, have money to raise a family take them on vacation maybe once a year. Be able to afford a reasonable car.

Not rich or poor. Middle class I would say. I don't really care about material things, I spend most of my day outside the house, when I come home it is to relax mostly. I like to live simple and be minimalistic. Growing up we have so many rooms in the house that nobody even goes in there unless there is a lot of people over like a party, I think to myself what is the purpose of this space? Sure it may seem nice to people to live in a big place, but if it's not being used what's the point?

I'm not sure what I want to do exactly. People make it sound like "its either you get a college degree to be able to afford things, or else you will struggle to provide.". Like its either college or nothing.

But what if I want to be a firefighter, and paramedic, a police officer?

Can I be able to reasonably provide for myself and possibly a family later on?

I don't have much things on my wishlist. I just would like a motorcycle, and to have some free time to continue in my sports I play.

Click to expand...

We sometimes had to choose a piece of furniture or new appliance or a special vacation. The we decided to take shorter vacations (less mileage and less expense when we arrived at our destination).

Make sure you have a job with good health insurance and don't marry a materialistic person!

If you go to a trade school, you could easily graduate in two years, make more than a new college graduate and have fewer loans to pay back. It all depends on what program you seek.

JohnB445 said:

As in not struggling to pay bills all the time, being able to afford healthy foods and eat, have money to raise a family take them on vacation maybe once a year. Be able to afford a reasonable car.

Not rich or poor. Middle class I would say. I don't really care about material things, I spend most of my day outside the house, when I come home it is to relax mostly. I like to live simple and be minimalistic. Growing up we have so many rooms in the house that nobody even goes in there unless there is a lot of people over like a party, I think to myself what is the purpose of this space? Sure it may seem nice to people to live in a big place, but if it's not being used what's the point?

I'm not sure what I want to do exactly. People make it sound like "its either you get a college degree to be able to afford things, or else you will struggle to provide.". Like its either college or nothing.

But what if I want to be a firefighter, and paramedic, a police officer?

Can I be able to reasonably provide for myself and possibly a family later on?

I don't have much things on my wishlist. I just would like a motorcycle, and to have some free time to continue in my sports I play.

Click to expand...

As one of the oldest proverbs I've ever heard says

GET A TRADE BEFORE HIGHER EDUCATION .....
or
Give your son a trade before higher education.

Trust Yahweh (God) in this, and He Will Guide you as He Promises.

There are people still out there that think college is the only way, or that it gives a person their best shot, but it is not necessarily.

College is necessary for some careers, but considering time spent, and if you want something relatively safe, the mentioned trade school is the way to go. If you decide you don't like what trade you learned, then learn another, that's the beauty of knocking out all the bull and learning just what you need to, it leaves you with much more time than college would, and it's not near as boring.

For anything other than jobs that require college, and even those to a point, college is by design to take more money, hence time, from you than necessary. It's a business so....

Then there is that all too often needlessly feared, just learning what you like on your own or in school, and starting a business of your own, people do it all the time, but one does need to be somewhat careful. Just use a little common sense and make sure there is a demand. For me, and what little I did along those lines, that was by far the most rewarding both mentally and financially. One can often only go so far with a job, but with your own business, the sky is the limit.

Funding? yep, that can be a problem for your own business, but I started mine withe virtually no money, not something we can always do, all depending on the business and your situation. Starting at home then moving up from there is one way to help with a lack of funds, and the internet for research, to learn or even utilize as part of the business is definitely your friend, but I guess e that goes without saying these days.

I think it depends on what industry you work in as well. For certain industries, you can only work in them with a specific degree. For others, you might find college advantageous, and for some it makes no difference.

I know of people who have a college education and are battling to find a job. I know people without who have been very very successful. And everything in between.

You’ll probably have to work 5 days or more a week. So if you can work in a job you enjoy you’ll have more good days than if you can afford a weeks expensive holiday. You also have to consider that once you’ve got your college education, you have to pay back borrowings as well, so that has to be figured into your income level.

In today's economy that is flooded with "College Educated" millennials, employers are not looking for degrees. They are looking for skills and experience. You are better off going to a 2-year trade school than a 4-year university.

JohnB445 said:

As in not struggling to pay bills all the time, being able to afford healthy foods and eat, have money to raise a family take them on vacation maybe once a year. Be able to afford a reasonable car.

Not rich or poor. Middle class I would say. I don't really care about material things, I spend most of my day outside the house, when I come home it is to relax mostly. I like to live simple and be minimalistic. Growing up we have so many rooms in the house that nobody even goes in there unless there is a lot of people over like a party, I think to myself what is the purpose of this space? Sure it may seem nice to people to live in a big place, but if it's not being used what's the point?

I'm not sure what I want to do exactly. People make it sound like "its either you get a college degree to be able to afford things, or else you will struggle to provide.". Like its either college or nothing.

But what if I want to be a firefighter, and paramedic, a police officer?

Can I be able to reasonably provide for myself and possibly a family later on?

I don't have much things on my wishlist. I just would like a motorcycle, and to have some free time to continue in my sports I play.

Click to expand...

If's just yourself ... then likely you can get a job to support yourself without any additional education. However, if you proceed into marriage and a family then it can become difficult. Learning a trade one can help provide a better income and is not as expensive as college ... and sometimes it is accomplished through on the job training as well. Also, looking at the future ... trade jobs are going to become more and more in demand as they will be more difficult if not impossible to accomplish by robotics.

God Bless.

Prosperity ultimately comes from God yet you should be content with what you have. Your heart likely already has desires, put there by God if you follow Him, and the Holy Spirit can lead you as well. In looking at college, it is far more than just some vocational training. You learn lots of other skills that can be used for yourself and the kingdom. It is fine to start college not knowing what you want. In some cases there are subjects and occupations that you have never even encountered yet. The best thing is to take an inventory of yourself, your SAT scores, your grades, your desires and seek God. There are occupational tests out there that can try and help as well. Realize too, that many people have several careers over a lifetime.

whereloveandmercymeet said:

You also have to consider that once you’ve got your college education, you have to pay back borrowings as well, so that has to be figured into your income level.

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In the news, this 'college' debt has grown to just about the largest amount of debt in the usa. Yet there are ways to get an education, even college, without going in debt. It seems best to do it that way instead of going in debt. Same with buying or owning a house - or getting married -
don't go into debt , but starting young, or just starting any time,
go "cash only" - astonishing but true - people still do.
The life styles of most americans do not make this an easy task.
A total life change may be needed.
So be it, towards a life in line with God's Word, serving Jesus and not worldly things.

JohnB445 said:

As in not struggling to pay bills all the time, being able to afford healthy foods and eat, have money to raise a family take them on vacation maybe once a year. Be able to afford a reasonable car.

Not rich or poor. Middle class I would say. I don't really care about material things, I spend most of my day outside the house, when I come home it is to relax mostly. I like to live simple and be minimalistic. Growing up we have so many rooms in the house that nobody even goes in there unless there is a lot of people over like a party, I think to myself what is the purpose of this space? Sure it may seem nice to people to live in a big place, but if it's not being used what's the point?

I'm not sure what I want to do exactly. People make it sound like "its either you get a college degree to be able to afford things, or else you will struggle to provide.". Like its either college or nothing.

But what if I want to be a firefighter, and paramedic, a police officer?

Can I be able to reasonably provide for myself and possibly a family later on?

I don't have much things on my wishlist. I just would like a motorcycle, and to have some free time to continue in my sports I play.

Click to expand...

I don't think college is necessary to make a reasonable living, but it all just depends on what career you choose to go into.I chose to go to college for healthcare, because I knew it would be difficult to move up without a degree within that field.I would recommend if you do not want to go to a university, if you are looking to go to college, community college offers many two year degrees that are beneficial.But in conclusion, you do not have to go to college if you do not want or need to.

Christgirl67 said:

I don't think college is necessary to make a reasonable living, but it all just depends on what career you choose to go into.I chose to go to college for healthcare, because I knew it would be difficult to move up without a degree within that field.I would recommend if you do not want to go to a university, if you are looking to go to college, community college offers many two year degrees that are beneficial.But in conclusion, you do not have to go to college if you do not want or need to.

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So the end of the matter is this, (remembering some things are not permitted by Yahweh, and would be disobedient to go into at all, whether for study, reading, play, entertainment, or work reasons)

Ecclesiastes 7:8 The end of a matter is better than the ...
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. New Living Translation Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. English Standard Version Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Berean Study Bible
Ecclesiastes 7:8 The end of a matter is better than the beginning, and a patient spirit is better than a proud one.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of ...
The end of the matter, all having been heard: fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole man. New American Standard 1977 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

JohnB445 said:

But what if I want to be a firefighter, and paramedic, a police officer?

Can I be able to reasonably provide for myself and possibly a family later on?

I don't have much things on my wishlist. I just would like a motorcycle, and to have some free time to continue in my sports I play.

Click to expand...

Our community college provides programs that prepare you for these and increases your chance to get hired. If you can get the job without school, go for it. Paramedic will require actual classes (required for the licensing). EMT can be done over a summer with an intense class. Once you are working, consider working for that degree slowing part-time because your ability to be promoted will stop without a degree at some point. Sometimes it is easier to focus on school when you actually are working and know why you are taking the classes. It also helps to have money to pay the bills while going to school.

My husband worked for UPS and worked his way up to driving 18wheelers in 10 years. He was making better than decent money especially if he drove a route that included overtime. No degree needed unless you wanted to move into management (his degree was his reassurance that if he ever couldn't drive, he would still have a job even though he had no desire to do management).

JohnB445 said:

But what if I want to be a firefighter, and paramedic, a police officer?

Can I be able to reasonably provide for myself and possibly a family later on?

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Average wages for those are $50,000, $40,000, and $60,000 respectively. Millions of people support families on that kind of salary.

It's not "wealth," but how much money does a man need?

"... I'm a poor boy,
I can still be happy,
As long as I can feel free ...

... I've tried all I can understanding all the fools and all their money,
One half of what they've got you know they never will use,
Enough to get by suits me fine, I don't care if they think I'm funny.
I'm never gonna change my point of view ..."

I get annoyed by this debate...
Yes there are plenty of people who became rich without college
Yes there are plenty of people who went to college for a degree they don't even use...
Despite all those anecdotes that seek to say "hey you don't need college" I would argue that college is going to have more net positives and benefits than negatives and detriments

The purpose of college for the most part isn't to train you for a specific job...
The purpose of college is to give you the foundation so that you can then learn the profession you wish to go into.

College increases the probability that you will be successful, learn faster, and be better at most jobs/professions you wish to engage in than if you did not go to college.

Now, there are some Trades in which going to college is not as effective as going to Trade School. Absolutely. Similarly, there are some professions where college won't give you much of an edge. But on the whole, college is an advantage and will help you. -- Provided you take decent courses that have some sort of real world application and/or something that will help you learn, understand, and/or think better.

dgiharris said:

The purpose of college for the most part isn't to train you for a specific job...

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For the really useful degrees (engineering, medicine, etc.) it is.

dgiharris said:

The purpose of college is to give you the foundation so that you can then learn the profession you wish to go into.

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Some colleges claim that they do that. I'm not sure they deliver. This is data for 2018, with the coloured bars showing mid-career salaries, and the dots showing median starting salaries:

dgiharris said:

College increases the probability that you will be successful, learn faster, and be better at most jobs/professions you wish to engage in than if you did not go to college.

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That might be true for some colleges and some majors. In many cases, college is just a very expensive party.

A lot depends on your major and what you want to do with the rest of your life. A lot of college grads have a hard time getting a job because they have no work history. A person can get a college degree at any time in their life. I think a lot of people would do better to get some real life work experience in the field they think they would like to do before they spend a lot of money on a degree.

My husband made more money doing a job (UPS) that didn't require a degree than he would have made in a field that required his degree. And he loved it. The degree was his insurance policy that he could move into management if his body stopped being able to hand the physical requirement of his loved job. Other jobs like mine, (nursing), require a degree to be licensed so are required. And most 18 year old do not have any idea of what they want to do with life. Many would be better to live in the real world for a couple years while maybe taking a couple general ed class while doing an entry level position in the field they are interested in....even if it is "mail boy" for an engineering or law firm. A lot of nursing assistants learn that nursing isn't really a career they want to follow.

Radagast said:

For the really useful degrees (engineering, medicine, etc.) it is..

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I guess I didn't really quantify exactly what I meant, also I'm talking about undergrad degrees.

I graduated with a degree in Math and Physics, with a focus on Laser Physics. I went on to work at a Laser Physics R&D branch. Without my degree and background it would have been impossible for me to learn on the job, but I did not know how to do all aspects of my job going in on day 1. It took about 3 months for me to become a net positive for the facility, 3 months of on the job training in which I assimilated knowledge like a beast...

Now, a lot of the grad students with Masters and PhD's could come into the job and more or less be a net positive from day 1. But most Undergrad Engineers and Technical degree types I've worked with require some on the job training and anywhere from 3 to 6 months until they were a net positive for the division. Obviously, they needed their undergrad Degrees in order to learn since they were drinking from a proverbial fire hose...

that was more or less what I meant.

Radagast said:

That might be true for some colleges and some majors. In many cases, college is just a very expensive party.

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I ran into a guy who graduated from college with a degree in African American Cultural Studies. He knew everything about Black music from Ragtime to Jazz to Hip-hop, knew everything about fashion trends inspired by Black Culture... It was very impressive. Unfortunately, his so-called degree did NOT include any marketing or business courses at all.

His degree was 100% useless. If he had married that knowledge to a marketing and/or business degree he would have been extremely employable because understanding any segment of the populace or how trends are influenced by various cultures is something that would benefit any marketing campaign or business...

I will easily concede that there are some useless degrees and majors out there.

Has anyone tried to quantify the amount of useless college degrees?

dgiharris said:

Has anyone tried to quantify the amount of useless college degrees?

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I heard someone describe it as any major that end in the word "studies"... as in your friend's "African
American Cultural Studies" or "Women Studies'...etc....