College or work?

[Nicnac]

5 minutes ago, captain_to_fire said:

Five venti caramel macchiatos from Starbucks with extra espresso shot. I think it was something to do with antidepressant use. I’m not yet taking pharmacology or legal medicine so I’m not sure. 

I think they said it was serotonin syndrome. It can occur when you combine multiple serotonergics or MAO-Inhibitors.

Especially SSRIs and MAO-Inhibitors should never be combined. People didn't know much about it back then so it was easily overlooked. Nowadays SSRIs are like the gold standard for most psychological conditions so it is pretty well known now. Additionally she probably overdosed on cocaine and that wasn't helpful either...

 

 

Random fact:

Spoiler

(High-yield USMLE association: Linezolid can cause serotonin syndrome as well)

 

[Purgent]

I don't have a degree, and my pay is close to $75k in the Midwest (market location matters).  I've been promoted numerous times over the past five years.

 

If you are smart, capable of learning quickly, and have decent people skills, you'll be just fine.

 

I'm also in my 20s.

[Whiskers]

Please avoid political discussion in this thread, as it's against the Community Standards.

[handymanshandle]

13 minutes ago, Whiskers said:

Please avoid political discussion in this thread, as it's against the Community Standards.

lmao why the hell were people injecting politics into something about college and high school?

[handymanshandle]

I believe in the traditional high school I went to my GPA was in the 1.8 to 2.0 range. I've probably been able to get it to 2.5 or even maybe super close 3.0.

I'd reccomend you do your generals at a community college and figure out what you're going to do after that and go from there. There's plenty of jobs you can do that will make you a lot of money without a college degree though it depends on what you're willing to do.

My mom kills bugs for a living and while she averages 60 hours a week she'll probably be making around $45,000 to $50,000 annually.

I've seen mobile carrier sales people ranges quoted at $28,000 to $52,000. Door to door sales people for pest control or windows could potentially make well over $50,000. Like almost $80,000 if they can sell a lot and I don't believe that necessarily requires a degree though one would help.

[Real_PhillBert]

I have a Mechanical Engineering degree, and don't regret it. Although I paid for it out of pocket by working hard and living like a monk during college. 

 

With that said, I think the stigma of people NEEDING to go to college is unfounded. I do believe you're better off getting some kind of post secondary education, like a trade school or college, but which one is completely dependent on yourself. 

 

There are lots of trades that are in great demand right now that you can get into quickly and affordably that pay very well. There are also lots of four year degrees which have little to no market. Whatever you choose, look hard at the market of jobs in whatever area you go into. You don't want to spend a bunch of time learning underwater basket weaving just to find out that there's no jobs for that. 

[ARikozuM]

I think the most important thing here is being able to use your early life learning skills for the future. I’m studying to get into vet school like Zack did, the problem is money. He had his father and grandfather in the vet field, so he had funds and time to get through everything. By my 18th birthday and graduation, I only had two choices and uses for my savings: go to trade school for medical assisting, take two semesters at MSU and leave with no degree until funds recouped. I chose to be a medical assistant. I began working with Zack and his father from the moment I got out of high school, learning tons about veterinary medicine and mixing it with my human body training. I would gain my phlebotomy license while doing a summer program at Quest through a close friend. Even while doing that, I ventured into cars (general maintenance and intensive repairs), woodworking, tech, and more CMA qualifications.

 

Having a variety of skills could be more important for your future than a lengthy stint in college. Then again, if you take a class a semester, you may end up saving yourself from the dreaded grind of 8 credit-hours.

[xXxAdamxXx]

12 hours ago, aki adaki said:

Honestly, I'm caught in a hard decision I'll have to make once I graduate. I can't decide if I want to go to college or just find a good paying job. Sure, it's good to attend college for a better job, but it's not for everyone. Everything has prepared me for college, I'm in post secondary with networking. But, call me lazy or whatever, it's just high-school for me has been such a drag. I used to love school, math and science were my favorites but as it went on... It just got tiring.

 

(oh wah a high schooler complaining what's new)

 

Sure we can get a good chance at a job with a college degree, but actually working somewhere is important too. 

 

So for those of you who haven't attended college, would you or do you regret that? 

And those of you grads, are you happy you attended? 

 

College speakers don't do a great job, they barely talk about the college and college life. They talk about emotional things to buy you into it without actually introducing the school. 

 

Or do you think I'm dumb for not wanting to necessarily attend college? 

Tbh I had a crappy work ethic when I went to college and didn't really know what I wanted to do, I wish I had gotten a job for at least a year before going. If nothing else it gets you away from the somewhat artificial world of education and helps build better work ethic and a better perspective upon actually attending. Not to mention universities are trying to appeal to people who are in the work force nowadays, so transitioning shouldn't be as hard today.

[Jtalk4456]

TL:DR

Spoiler

 

For your specific case, and making only the assumption that student loans are at the very least available, I suggest you go to a cheap 2 year school, get some basics in there. Talk with prospective employers as you learn the material. Just call them up and ask about job opportunities, ask to meet someone and talk about what they like in a candidate, show you're interested and serious. Do this for any good employers you can. you'll have to feel it out, but if the consensus seems that they don't care about college, finish the associates (and get some it certifications while you are there) and try to get a job with those companies. 

IF they seem to be interested in a more professional degree, you can transfer into a 4 yr college with your core curriculum mostly done and having taken a few IT classes either transferring or making new classes easier. And since you started in a cheaper easier to get accepted school, you will have saved a bunch of money. Also it's a lot easier to transfer into a school than it is to jump straight from high school into the school. (assuming you have decent grades in community college)

 

So a LOT of this depends highly on your specific intended job plus finances and many other factors. 

In general, for MOST anyone able to either afford it or get loans, an associates degree at least is typically helpful in the job search and ensuring you get a higher pay than your peers coming out of high school with no degree. The exception to this is a very physical trade. Ex: there's no reason I can think of for a bricklayer to get a college degree. Trade schools sure, but a piece of paper won't hold much weight in a purely physical job. 

Outside of pure physical labor, it gets a little muddier. I would recommend at the minimum a barebones associates degree just to HAVE a degree for anyone else. it will help them in the job search process, it will raise their pay and give them the "college life" which can be wonderful, if only for 2 years.

If you are one of those with no direction, get an associates in business. Basically any field you get into you can take the business degree and use it to start your own business in that field. It will also let you jump into managerial jobs more easily.

For most everyone else, the best bet all around is to start in a cheap 2 year institution like a community college. Get your core out of the way and try some specifics to feel out what you like to do or where you want to specialize. Depending on how much employers in your intended field value education over experience, you can either get an associates and jump into the field or transfer into a 4 yr college and finish a 4 year. No matter what field, the community college saved you some money over taking the core at a more expensive school, and the college experience you got so far makes it easier to get accepted at a more prestigious school.

 

Some other resources:

 

info about your intended job:

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/

Scholarships out the wazoo:

https://www.fastweb.com/

[Volbet]

Since everyone is seemingly just sharing their post-high school education, I might as well. 

 

For a variety of reasons I didn't go for higher education untill later in life (Hell, I didn't finish high school untill I was 26), and I regretted it a lot. 

While I'm dumb as a back of bricks, I've always loved studying and learning, so once I got my life on track I got into a university and I'm now in the process of writing my master's thesis. 

Personally, I don't regret going to university. It's been a great learning experience and I've already been promised a job after I graduate. 

But I also don't regret having gotten some work experience before hand. I basically allowed me to work full time while I studied. 

 

Although, university is pretty much the opposite where I live when compared to the US: 

Not only is any kind of higher education free, but the government pays you if you don't have a well paying job while you study. 

[Guest]

10 hours ago, captain_to_fire said:

Gotta keep those pesky adenosine receptors at bay. At the moment I can safely say I have high caffeine tolerance because three to four espresso shots doesn’t give me the jitters anymore. 

I measure my coffee consumption in jugs. Always hounding the coffee in the kitchen area at uni lol.

 

9 hours ago, captain_to_fire said:

My anxiety levels are through the roof when it’s gross anatomy especially with muscles and identifying origin, insertion, innervation, and action. Looks like I’m bound to fail my first major exam for anatomy and that pesky practicals with the nasty smelling cadaver.

 

⬇️? not for the squeamish 

  Reveal hidden contents

My first time dissecting a cadaver, I was throwing up and can’t eat meat for a few days because the pectoralis major looks like overdone steak. ?

My professors are always saying med school != rotations. I don’t know if I’ll be good at it as I’m not exactly a people person and I don’t know if I can get OPQRST correctly. 

A part of me wants to quit and just take my Master’s degree (is research better @RorzNZ?), do research proposals and get funded or get a MBA and do business stuff because med school ain’t easy. I definitely get envious of my friends just constantly traveling. Not only substance abuse is common within the medical field because of the stress despite the Libby Zion Law in the state of NY (not followed by most countries afaik), we’re also subjected to a lot of unhealthy food because we have to study and yet doctors are expected to teach their patients to eat healthy. 

 

I’m definitely going on vacation after this academic year. Maybe on a beach with friends, get drunk afterwards. Then by M2 it’s more difficult since it’s Pharmacology, Pathology (histo and physio conspiring together), and others. 

 

Reminds me of in first year, we were doing some blood tests, just simple stuff like glucose and VDLs. I had to prick someone else’s finger because they couldn’t do it themselves. 

 

You’re going to need to overcome it one way or another, the best thing to do it just get used to it, and not worry. (It’s also perfectly acceptable to faint if you need to! You won’t fail). 

 

Diet can be tricky, I mainly use quick meals, like oats in the morning and chopped veggies and tinned fish for lunch and dinner. (Trying to lose a little weight as well, but brown rice never hurt anyone - rice cookers are so essential).

 

Im just used to all the cadaver stuff because of my rural background (Maggot pits etc and with blow-fly so common, not so good for the sheep). 

 

Nervousness can also be overcome with propanol, but a psychological approach is always better to these sorts of things.

[Crunchy Dragon]

17 hours ago, ARikozuM said:

Both. You can go to college and go to work at the same time.

This is probably one of the best options.

[Beef Boss]

22 minutes ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

This is probably one of the best options.

I work and go to high school and a technical school. (I thought I made I clear I attend a technical school but ok lol) I imagine college as much harder classes, and I can barely focus in high school. I've had a 2.50-3.00 GPA for the last three years I don't intend to drop it. I don't plan on dropping anything. I'd just like to put my feet in the waters of a professional job and work full time. 

 

I LOVE my technical school. I mean, it's loads of fun learning networking, I really enjoy it actually. But that doesn't necessarily mean I want to study for 4+ years either. I don't know... I'd like to see how far technical schooling could take me. 

[Crunchy Dragon]

1 minute ago, aki adaki said:

I work and go to high school and a technical school. (I thought I made I clear I attend a technical school but ok lol) I imagine college as much harder classes, and I can barely focus in high school. I've had a 2.50-3.00 GPA for the last three years I don't intend to drop it. I don't plan on dropping anything. I'd just like to put my feet in the waters of a professional job and work full time. 

 

I LOVE my technical school. I mean, it's loads of fun learning networking, I really enjoy it actually. But that doesn't necessarily mean I want to study for 4+ years either. I don't know... I'd like to see how far technical schooling could take me. 

I was just responding to that last post

 

Getting IT jobs without a degree is, sadly, really hard.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

This is probably one of the best options.

Depends on what and how you study. Going to work and med school is not a combination that is very sucessful, but if you study an easier degree, it will be more fine.

[mrstochastic]

2 Zelda Rupees of advice.

 

The question you should ask yourself is what do you want to do, and what is your back up.

 

I have found that the education system does not do a good job explaining different career paths and how education can help you get there. It doesn't help that the same title job has vastly different pay and responsibilities making things hard to decipher. The commoditization of a bachelor/undergrad degree hasn't helped the situation and has created an unnecessarily barrier to entry in some cases. There are career paths that require a degree, primarily professional careers such as engineering, lawyer, doctor etc.  Economic theory would suggest that employers use degrees as a signal of the candidates type/quality. 

 

I have had a love-hate relationship with school. My original plan after high school was to become a mechanic,  I really enjoyed working on cars, but I was a "smart" kid so my parents and their friends convinced me to go to university. Debated between CS, Phys/Math but then stumbled upon Mechanical Engineering. I truly had no idea what engineering was about, I just knew that my school had an FSAE team which was my primary driver in going. I really enjoyed it, and enjoyed my life as an engineer. I did do an MBA part time, and currently working through a PhD because I am a gluten for punishment.

 

Back when I was trying to make a decision, guidance councilors still had a bit of a notion that our career choices are like trades, you do CS to become a computer person. But then what is computer engineering, electrical engineer, wtf hardware engineering. I've met a lot of sr. managers with physics degrees, and programmers with pure math degrees. Then there is wall/bay street that love these people who have never taken a finance class ever. What you do in school is not necessarily going to define you for the rest of your life. There are soft skills you will develop which are just as critical as the knowledge you gain. There are some majors which are "useless", especially if you don't seek Masters or Doctoral levels. That is not to say you can't take that as a minor, or couple it with something else for example, psychology and business or "data science". Find something that you enjoy learning. Its a different environment, with a lot less structure and freedom to explore rather then being forced to learn about the war of 1812 unless history is your thing. Its at a much more challenging level also, and you will feel the smartest or dumbest ever in your life. 

 

When it comes to pay, you need to be realistic with any option you choose. I know techs that make a shit ton of money, and MBAs who have a hard time finding a job. The reality is that every choice has some cap, and you will hear stories of A making X just ignore it and live within your means and save for retirement. You'll be laughing in the long run.

 

In summary:

- What do you want to do, or what do I like to learn about?

- Does the industry/job require a degree? Does said degree open other doors just encase things don't work out?

- What soft skills do I need, what am I good at?

[Ithanul]

20 hours ago, aki adaki said:

That's another problem. I don't want just a desk job. For the whole year (365 days) I've been working I work inside. Itd drive me NUTS being inside all day. But outside and networking doesn't mix much. I've been considering electrical maybe... But I haven't taken a single class that pertains to it. 

Most of IT jobs I know of is sitting at a desk (there are ones though where you can travel from site to site).

But, I understand that feel.  Previous aircraft mech myself, love to use my hands and work, but god.....the damage my back took from that (still dealing with pain on occasions - I'm not even 30 yet....).  Now, entry level system analyst sitting in an A/C room at a desk.  It is boring at times for sure, but I take this over beating the crap out of my body (plus, the pay not bad for entry level system analyst).

 

8 hours ago, xXxAdamxXx said:

Tbh I had a crappy work ethic when I went to college and didn't really know what I wanted to do, I wish I had gotten a job for at least a year before going. If nothing else it gets you away from the somewhat artificial world of education and helps build better work ethic and a better perspective upon actually attending. Not to mention universities are trying to appeal to people who are in the work force nowadays, so transitioning shouldn't be as hard today.

I agree along similar lines.

I did not go straight into college (even though I had teachers and one of my grandfathers wanting me too).  Went military first where one better learn good work ethic.  Good thing though, one of the benefits from the military covered my degree cost, so not debt floating over my head when I went later on for my degree.

[BuckGup]

21 hours ago, DVA said:

Hi, I am. College graduate. Very recent actually. My starting pay is $43,000 a year. My job is a product developer for a lighting fixture company. 43,000 may not seem like a lot to some people, but that's my pay straight off the bat. 

 

Some jobs don't require a degree and make great money, but they tend to be more hands on and getting more physical. 

 

I sit in my office chair with cold AC and take breaks whenever I want. If I want to leave 2 hours early, I can. I'm hourly, not salary. So my paycheck depends on me. If i want OT, i get it. Simple as that. 

 

There are give and takes. Think about them. As someone else said, they make nearly 40k at 21. I am 24 making 43k. But remember that is STARTING, I still have a lot of time and my pay cap will be well into 100k according to my current boss. 

 

Good luck on your quest. 

I mean average starting salary at my college is 70K a year. Only 4 years and $32,000 for 4 years

[Yoinkerman]

On 9/18/2018 at 8:44 PM, Drak3 said:

That only matters for service jobs, which again, over saturated job market in the US.

 

Just saying that going to college puts you above someone that didn't, so you should go, is bad advice.

I'm not sure why you think that, heavy industry has way too many job openings for even modestly educated people.  My boss literally can't hire enough of people with my and my coworkers skill set.  We're dozens of jobs short of filling retirements let alone new positions.

 

The work isn't a 9-5 salaryman and you have to be on call and potentially put in huge shifts repairing broken equipment but the work is there.

 

[Stefan Payne]

15 hours ago, pinksnowbirdie said:

lmao why the hell were people injecting politics into something about college and high school?

Because it is political, as (some) Colleges are discriminating against some political ideas. 

So it has become political, sadly.

 

On 19.9.2018 at 5:03 AM, aki adaki said:

Or do you think I'm dumb for not wanting to necessarily attend college? 

No, many people think so as the situation is right now and how the colleges are run...

Its not a good situation right now and I don't know what you want to become or if it makes sense to go to a college.

 

But you have to inform yourself of the political leaning of the College and if they allow "differing oppionions".

[wasab]

On 9/18/2018 at 11:03 PM, aki adaki said:

Honestly, I'm caught in a hard decision I'll have to make once I graduate. I can't decide if I want to go to college or just find a good paying job. Sure, it's good to attend college for a better job, but it's not for everyone. Everything has prepared me for college, I'm in post secondary with networking. But, call me lazy or whatever, it's just high-school for me has been such a drag. I used to love school, math and science were my favorites but as it went on... It just got tiring.

 

(oh wah a high schooler complaining what's new)

 

Sure we can get a good chance at a job with a college degree, but actually working somewhere is important too. 

 

So for those of you who haven't attended college, would you or do you regret that? 

And those of you grads, are you happy you attended? 

 

College speakers don't do a great job, they barely talk about the college and college life. They talk about emotional things to buy you into it without actually introducing the school. 

 

Or do you think I'm dumb for not wanting to necessarily attend college? 

Why not both? Get an internship/side job and attend school. 

 

If you just want to jump straight into the work force straight out of high school, the first couple few years you will be hard pressed to find jobs that pay above the minimum wage. 

 

[wasab]

12 hours ago, BuckGup said:

I mean average starting salary at my college is 70K a year. Only 4 years and $32,000 for 4 years

And probably they are working at jobs totally unrelated to their degrees. 

[BuckGup]

5 minutes ago, wasab said:

And probably they are working at jobs totally unrelated to their degrees. 

Nope all engineering and nursing 

[wasab]

14 minutes ago, BuckGup said:

Nope all engineering and nursing 

I would be surprised if even half of your school are engineer and nursing students. 

 

These ppl not a huge percentage in most schools. 

[spwath]

It depends on your situation. I got a good enough scholarship and am well off enough to graduate college with no debt. I am loving college so far, in my sophmore year. Learning a lot, having fun, getting great experiences. No regrets.