Motivation for college: education or salary?

[rexbeccarox]

My music degrees are monetarily worthless. The field I wanted to go into required a ton of post-graduate work, and I didn't get offered any grant money for the schools I got into, so I didn't continue. I'm glad I went to college, and I continue my education by taking classes in other fields. I took a radio and television course that was a ton of fun. I just don't necessarily expect gainful employment as a result of these interests. I like education for education's sake.

Anyone that thinks the arts are "easy" degrees has no idea what they're talking about. Along with classes, lessons, tests (not to mention juries), and homework, I practiced five or more hours a day and had performances five or more times a week. Grueling.

[kılıç_mehmet]

My music degrees are monetarily worthless. The field I wanted to go into required a ton of post-graduate work, and I didn't get offered any grant money for the schools I got into, so I didn't continue. I'm glad I went to college, and I continue my education by taking classes in other fields. I took a radio and television course that was a ton of fun. I just don't necessarily expect gainful employment as a result of these interests. I like education for education's sake.

Anyone that thinks the arts are "easy" degrees has no idea what they're talking about. Along with classes, lessons, tests (not to mention juries), and homework, I practiced five or more hours a day and had performances five or more times a week. Grueling.

Well, education for education's sake would require you to move up in the academic field my friend so that your education actually matters.

[Annik]

I went to college because I wanted to learn about graphic design and a couple other subjects. I wasn't looking for money, you don't need a degree to succeed in my field, but I wanted to be better. I am so glad I did that. I was able to learn a lot about design with my major and I spent the rest of the time taking classes on subjects that interested me. Even though I'm in debt and unemployed, I don't regret it at all.

[Tea Earl Grey Hot]

Anyone that thinks the arts are "easy" degrees has no idea what they're talking about. Along with classes, lessons, tests (not to mention juries), and homework, I practiced five or more hours a day and had performances five or more times a week. Grueling.

I'm about to go off to grad school in a masters of music program so I'm going to get to experience that. I did my BS in a computer related degree while studying and practicing music mostly on my own. I hated my BS major even though I got good grades in it.

[Annik]

Everyone in my major had a mental breakdown at one point or another. It's not all la-de-das and finger painting. Art is hard and time-consuming.

[rexbeccarox]

Anyone that thinks the arts are "easy" degrees has no idea what they're talking about. Along with classes, lessons, tests (not to mention juries), and homework, I practiced five or more hours a day and had performances five or more times a week. Grueling.

I'm about to go off to grad school in a masters of music program so I'm going to get to experience that. I did my BS in a computer related degree while studying and practicing music mostly on my own. I hated my BS major even though I got good grades in it.

Good for you! What's your focus?

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My music degrees are monetarily worthless. The field I wanted to go into required a ton of post-graduate work, and I didn't get offered any grant money for the schools I got into, so I didn't continue. I'm glad I went to college, and I continue my education by taking classes in other fields. I took a radio and television course that was a ton of fun. I just don't necessarily expect gainful employment as a result of these interests. I like education for education's sake.

Anyone that thinks the arts are "easy" degrees has no idea what they're talking about. Along with classes, lessons, tests (not to mention juries), and homework, I practiced five or more hours a day and had performances five or more times a week. Grueling.

Well, education for education's sake would require you to move up in the academic field my friend so that your education actually matters.

I uh... I think I mentioned that was my plan. It just didn't work out.

[Tea Earl Grey Hot]

I'm about to go off to grad school in a masters of music program so I'm going to get to experience that. I did my BS in a computer related degree while studying and practicing music mostly on my own. I hated my BS major even though I got good grades in it.

Good for you! What's your focus?

Harpsichord (and early music in general).

[Dena]

The cost of college is high, too damn high! But a high school diploma just doesn't cut it anymore. Which indicates to me a disconnect between the job market and the US's educational system. Either a high school diploma needs to be able to get one a good career or college costs need to come down.

I agree.

Blue collar work has become too devalued in American society. I have a cousin who is a mechanic and works on big rigs. He enjoys his job, it's a necessary function, and it pays well. No matter how advanced of a society we become we will need mechanics, plumbers, electricians, builders, etc. These jobs need to shown as viable options to kids. Technical and vocational schools should be considered and not underrated.

Here too. My husband went the trade school route because he hated university. I on the other hand am working on a graduate degree. He makes more than I will ever hope to make. I'm going back to school to do something that interests me and that I hope will help me contribute to society. It's not likely to be a money maker. I have health issues so I'm not working while going to school. Still, I won't have to borrow money or take out loans. His trade school education is making that possible (along with me choosing an affordable program).

[FlyingNarwhal]

When I first got out of high school I thought that I needed college in order to get a good paying job. When I came back home after the first year I started working for a summer job and ended up staying and advancing pretty quick. I never took it as far as I could have at that job, but essentially I learned I could climb pretty quick in a business without a degree. Ended up being put in a bad place by my boss, so I ended up quitting and now I'm starting back from the bottom at another place. But essentially you can make a very similar, if not the same amount of money as a college grad if you work hard enough.

[Tiberius]

I went to university to study a subject I enjoyed. Just so happens that the industry based around the subject is one of the most well paying ones. So, it worked out pretty well in both regards.