If you could go to college for free, what would you go for?

[pitweiler]

Recently I was involved in a bad motorcycle accident. I broke my back in two places, broke both scapulas, 7 ribs and fractured the ball on my hip. Before the accident I was working in the labor union and it was a very strenuous job. My spinal doctor doesn't recommend me going back to that type of work. It was a crappy job but the pay and benefits were great. So a career change is probably in my best interest. I can go to school for free using my G.I. Bill from the Marines. If you could go back to school for free, what would you go for?

I've thought about going something involving fitness because I enjoy it but they don't pay much. Then I thought about physical therapist but they don't pay that much either. So if you could go back to school. What would you do?

[musclestack]

College girls

[bass]

Get degree in Business Management and Marketing.

[Gaspaco]

It

[< <Samson> >]

Get degree in Business Management and Marketing.

This is what I decided on

Only dif than I made is instead of marketing I'm computer science.

But, it's all about how you apply yourself. I just talked to a guy who had his degree in business from ASU(not just UOP BS) & he was doing telemarketing.

The degree will not make you - but, it will surely help

[bass]

This is what I decided on

Only dif than I made is instead of marketing I'm computer science.

But, it's all about how you apply yourself. I just talked to a guy who had his degree in business from ASU(not just UOP BS) & he was doing telemarketing.

The degree will not make you - but, it will surely help

exactly!

[< <Samson> >]

It can be very discouraging when you hear of someone with a high end quality degree doing a job someone without an education could be doing.

Just spoke with my woman's friend's husband also. It took him 11 years to complete his civil engineering degree. He is finally starting to pick the pace and have a real career. Yet, someone he graduated with is doing landscaping because he doesn't want to start at a low pay.


The degree itself does not mean shit in today's world. The job market is just too saturated - you have to apply yourself very well to make it anywhere.

[pitweiler]

I've thought about doing business management but it seems like everyone goes for business now a days. Right now I'm kinda leaning towards a computer engineer or electrical engineer.

[pitweiler]

Samson- do you like what you do? I agree that it's all about how you apply yourself. I'm deaf going to take full advantage of it and put everything i have into it

[brandon1411]

If I was to go to school and it was free I would most definitely seek the highest level I could , I have had freinds that only got associates and still couldn't get a job because someone else applied that had bachelors

[brandon1411]

If I was to go to school and it was free I would most definitely seek the highest level I could , I have had freinds that only got associates and still couldn't get a job because someone else applied that had bachelors

[kelkel]

College girls

Having trouble getting past that.

[pitweiler]

If I was to go to school and it was free I would most definitely seek the highest level I could , I have had freinds that only got associates and still couldn't get a job because someone else applied that had bachelors

Now a days it seems like a masters degree is equivalent to a bachelors degree years ago. But like others have said its all about how you apply yourself. Need to stand out from the rest

[< <Samson> >]

Samson- do you like what you do?

Currently - I do nothing, or as close to it as possible. We live off side work & other side hustle shit.

I went to school for automotive & diesel - after finishing it, I knew it wasn't for me. Yet, it was still a valuable trade to learn.

I like what I go school for now - business is a very good study for me, but it's pretty vast. I also like computer engineering - but, it's just too hands off for my taste. So, I picked the middle - I have a reasonable goal, finish school & become a DBA within the next decade. Or - possibly take a more business management route. 2.5 years down & about 4 to go.

[APIs]

Choose a degree with an eye towards starting your own business one day after paying your dues. It's one of the few true paths to financial freedom these days. Business Administration, Accounting, International Business & Marketing are all viable degrees to consider...

[Creech]

Try do something you'll enjoy and at the same time need to do something that will enable you to have a career that you desire. If I could go back to school I'd study a profession such as medicine, dentistry, law, etc.

[Times Roman]

Bill Gates funds an accredited 4 year online university. Tuition is free. There are some minor fees and you have to pay for books.

Freaking anyone can get a 4 year degree for almost free...

....makes you wonder why so many prefer to sit on their asses instead?

[< <Samson> >]

....makes you wonder why so many prefer to sit on their asses instead?

Some - maybe, but many get caught up in life & can't get out. I consider myself lucky to be able to go to school at my age.

[evander87]

Film

Oh wait I already did that.

Heres my .02 if you have a passion you can study then do so. I studied film and have been working in the business since graduation. Did I need a degree? nope. Did "I" need college? you bet ya. And those years of study have paid off not it what I learned but feeding my need for knowledge that I still have today. What are you passionate about? Study that and know that having a degree in that passion doesn't mean jack shit. You still have to start off at the bottom and bust ass.

If you want a degree because it's free and it's something you to have then study something general like business management, accounting, econ. A LOT of people get those degrees not because they go into "business" but because their career requires a degree, any degree.

CE or CS is good if you like precision. And know that a fair number of kids are coming out of college with degrees in CE or CS and a lot of senior computer people are keeping their DBA or IT jobs as long as they can so that field is flooded with talent but at the same time it is also growing. I started college back in 93 as a CS major thinking I was going to work on the next Jurassic Park but heard a quote for the Head of Effects at the company that did the CGi on JP and he said they hired less than 20% of their people with a technical degree. Because it's easier to teach an artist a new tool, than it is to teach an engineer how to create art. I quickly changed my major. lol

You gotta figure out why you want a degree. If it's to have one then study something you like and graduate with a college degree knowing you're entering the workforce with a whole lotta people with degrees and you'll be competing with them for jobs.

[Khazima]

Probably business/marketing, either before or after exercise science/minor in nutrition.

[Honkey_Kong]

Don't bother with business... It's one of the most common majors. You'd be better off getting an economics degree and stay in for an MBA.

Either that or get a computer science degree. Try to Google what is in demand. You don't want to do what I did and get a college degree in something useless (music). I ended up having to go back to school to get a degree in something useful.

[lovbyts]

As far as computers it's a love or hate relationship.
If you love them I would consider CCNP or go for Satellite communications.

[Times Roman]

Some - maybe, but many get caught up in life & can't get out. I consider myself lucky to be able to go to school at my age.

I don't buy it. I was almost 40, with a family, when I switched careers, went into public accounting, supported my family, only made 13.65/hour, and spent three years slaving in PA, studied 1000 hours for the CPA exam, finished up my degree...................

............IF someone wants something badly enough, there is usually a way.

A more accurate statement would be....

"Many people are not willing to make the sacrifice necessary to improve themselves so they can go out and get a degree and a good paying job".

Too many times I see people complain about a low paying job and are only willing to put in the minimum effort.

You only get out of life what you put into it.

If you invest nothing, you get nothing.

I have no pity for anyone that says they "get caught up in life".

I had to sacrifice a big part of my life to get to where I am today

[lovbyts]

^^^^ What he said. I was 40 when I went back to school for computer science, MCSE, A+ and some CCNA classes. Before that I had always been a factory worker or something physical.

The game plan now is to get the wife more training so she can start making bank and I can retire.

[thisAngelBites]

Freaking anyone can get a 4 year degree for almost free...
....makes you wonder why so many prefer to sit on their asses instead?

Most people don't have two neurons to rub together and can't do it, even if it is free. And this is even with degrees nowadays being dumbed down in order to make it a reality that everyone can have a university degree.

[< <Samson> >]

............IF someone wants something badly enough, there is usually a way.

A more accurate statement would be....

"Many people are not willing to make the sacrifice necessary to improve themselves so they can go out and get a degree and a good paying job".

Too many times I see people complain about a low paying job and are only willing to put in the minimum effort.

You only get out of life what you put into it.

If you invest nothing, you get nothing.

I have no pity for anyone that says they "get caught up in life".

I had to sacrifice a big part of my life to get to where I am today

All true - we/they just get stuck in their half assed ways & just stay there. . . . But, some people's situations are worse than others

[thegodfather]

Let me enlighten you OP....as I was all over the collegiate spectrum, and have quite the experience. It would really help us to know what your strengths are, and what your primary interests are. Regardless, I'll tell you what I think the most advantageous are.

B.A. in Education, or B.A. in Political Science or History with a certification in Teaching - particularly if you are interested in teaching overseas. As an ex-pat teacher, you are allowed to earn up to $82,000 per year TAX FREE from Uncle Sam. You can start overseas at $40-$50k per year (with housing included, vacation days, health insurance, airfare covered, and several bonus structures). Consider that you are not paying tax on this money, and if you choose a country with a good exchange rate, you're hardly spending any money to live. Right now I know people in Saudi Arabia, living on a guarded compound, earning $100k/yr, and everything on the compound is absolutely free. Think about what you'd need to earn per year in the US to make $100k NET/bring home.

B.S. in Nursing - it kind of goes without saying this is one of the most versatile jobs, with so many different directions a person can take. Right now I would look into a B.S.N/D.N.P. program, with a track towards management/operations. You will easily find yourself making 6 figures, and as a manager you can work a 9-5 job. One of the most under recognized and under appreciated areas of nursing is in correctional healthcare. That is, private companies contracted by prisons & jails to provide sub-acute care. You will earn substantially more in this field, and work substantially less!...

BA/BS to J.D. - A law degree is extremely versatile, and while it will take you 7 years of full time study to earn, there are a plethora of things you can do with it. Do not waste your time on a Business Management degree. You are a far more valuable and competent manager with a degree in law, because in smaller companies <50 employees, you have the capacity to act as legal counsel for the business as well as its chief executive. Of course you can practice law, but you can also become a university professor teaching undergraduates or in a law school setting. Look into the possibilities.

I would also get in a minor in Russian,Arabic, or Mandarin...Only because I've had to learn Russian now, and I feel it would have been much easier in university while I wasn't working as hard as I am now...

[thegodfather]

Most people don't have two neurons to rub together and can't do it, even if it is free. And this is even with degrees nowadays being dumbed down in order to make it a reality that everyone can have a university degree.

This irks me to no end. I grew up with so many derelicts who started degrees, only to not finish them so they could be bartenders, hostess's, servers, hair dressers, or union laborers. Only in 5-6 years to realize that while it seems like a lot of money while living with mom and dad, those jobs (NOT careers) are not enough to sustain ones self and a potential family. Then they are bitching about how they don't earn enough. That's why people need to view education as an investment in ones self, with an ROI.

[RaginCajun]

Warren Buffet says, "the best thing you can do is invest in yourself!"

[jesse4466]

Warren Buffet says, "the best thing you can do is invest in yourself!"

In the end.. It's all about ambition. Success, that is.

Sure a degree looks pretty.. But damn, is it a pain in the ass. the time alone of 4 years..

You have to wonder about the opportunity cost of that..

What could I achieve in 4 years aside from a degree? Being in the prime of early adulthood, many might say a lot... 19-23 years old.. Perfect age to take serious risks.. And some will get complimented with serious rewards.

But I did go to college, have business degrees. But really, I could have accomplished everything I did without them as I feel success is really about ambition, hard work and dedication. I learned more about that playing competitive sports then I did in college getting degree.

I don't regret it , and I am proud I graduated college, but there are other ways to succeed. And now a days some even put fake college degrees on their resume anyway... Imagine that ..lol. Whatever gets the foot in the door, some may say.. The rest after that comes from within and as they say 'fake it till you make it'..so.. Whatever works.

My role model growing up was my Ex gf's father. Never even graduated high school and was worth more then you could imagine..

So to me, the fundamentals for success aren't found in books, but rather, taught in other places in life.

Books provide knowledge...but not ambition, not hard-work, not dedication.. That comes from within..

[RigPig]

Warren Buffet says, "the best thing you can do is invest in yourself!"

00ragincajun00 for the win!