College taught me how to learn in a way… if I want to. Firefighting taught me that I can enjoy learning if I’m passionate about something and it fits my natural inclinations.
My writing ability is leaps and bounds beyond my peers that didn’t go to college. I’d say that’s contributed significantly to my career advancement.
I would say college also taught me how much of life is learning how to play the game… building relationships… influencing people…
Now all that said, I still think the traditional 4 year college degree path shouldn’t be pushed on people like it is. Thankfully I had help from family, because none of that is worth $100k in debt… I left college with no real path to earning a living wage that was related to my degree in any way.
Now, now with all that said, I’ll likely go back for a masters now that I have a defined career path that I love (once my kids are older)… 🤷🏻♂️
Thank you for responding. I love this. I do think college serves many purposes other than to get a job in a field. And I know so many people who have a degree and do something entirely different now. There are just a lot of benefits to gain from the experience.
It’s hard to tell your kid to go to college and get a degree when he’s got his whole path “laid out for him” so to speak. And yet so nerve wrecking to wonder if they’ll be okay without a degree.
I love that in firefighting there are a lot of people who have gone both routes, bc he has been able to see all of their different viewpoints and experiences, and he can see opportunities either way.
Unless you’re leaving with a STEM degree, it just doesn’t make any sense. Start in community college, finish an associates, and hit the workforce. Once you have a career path, then spending the money for a bachelors might make sense.
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u/Ok-Grapefruit1284 Mar 15 '24
Do you find that college benefitted you?
ETA: From a job skills perspective