Too much emphasis on college

[pilotyip]

That is entirely possible. If an employer wants you to have a 4-year degree then you better have a 4-year degree. I have seen more than one pilot job listing asking applicants to have a 4-year degree. Those who follow the YIP plan need not apply.

couldn't agree more, but it is a piece of paper that checks a box and may not add to the knowledge base of the educated.

 

[Wang Wei]

May 2010 statistics from the BLS:

Less than a high school diploma - 15%
High school graduates, no college - 10.9%
Some college or associate degree - 8.9%
Bachelor’s degree and higher - 4.7%


Go to college, kids.

 

[satpak77]

couldn't agree more, but it is a piece of paper that checks a box and may not add to the knowledge base of the educated.

True. With that said, (and you know my real-world opinion on the degree, see my post), if you could afford it, and/or your childs college education would be funded somehow, WOULD you encourage him to attend and obtain a 4-year Bachelor's degree? For Aviation careers (ie Pilot) or anything else for that matter?

 

[pilotyip]

Military route

True. With that said, (and you know my real-world opinion on the degree, see my post), if you could afford it, and/or your childs college education would be funded somehow, WOULD you encourage him to attend and obtain a 4-year Bachelor's degree? For Aviation careers (ie Pilot) or anything else for that matter?

No, I encouraged going straight into the military, however all that being said, a person has to be determined in what skills they want to develop in order to earn a living. That is not what going to college is for many people. I have seen too many people succeed without a "4 YEAR" college degree, and I have seen too many people, mostly nieces and nephews, with 4-yr degrees, with marketable skills.

 

[satpak77]

No, I encouraged going straight into the military, however all that being said, a person has to be determined in what skills they want to develop in order to earn a living. That is not what going to college is for many people. I have seen too many people succeed without a "4 YEAR" college degree, and I have seen too many people, mostly nieces and nephews, with 4-yr degrees, with marketable skills.

I understand. When I read reports of XXX college grads can't find work (and yes, this economy is tough, but....) , I wonder if American teachers and parents (heavy on the parents) need to spend more energy at vocational/career counseling and prep for their kids. More "what jobs will exist in 5 years" type stuff.

Too many kids graduating with "Business Administration" degrees or "Political Science", etc but no real direction.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

At age 18, you're asking a lot of a person to decide what they want to do with themselves when it comes to a career choice. Go to college fore 4-years and take all of the GE requirements, and by year 2 of college you may have a better idea of what you want to get a degree in.

As much as you hate it Yip, if you have aspirations to work for any number of Major/Legacy carriers, it's off to college you go.

 

[J.Otto]

didnt read all the other responses.

college is about MORE than attaining employment. It is much much more. It is an education! ...both cultrually and academically.

Education is requsite to employment. Most jobs have OJT which often has little to do with formal learning. however, formal learning does assist in making one more diverse and varied, with an ability to draw fro ma broader well of knowledge.

pilotyip, why'd you even bother to go to college or even get your Masters.

 

[pilotyip]

Coolege so what

didnt read all the other responses.

college is about MORE than attaining employment. It is much much more. It is an education! ...both cultrually and academically.

Education is requsite to employment. Most jobs have OJT which often has little to do with formal learning. however, formal learning does assist in making one more diverse and varied, with an ability to draw fro ma broader well of knowledge.

pilotyip, why'd you even bother to go to college or even get your Masters.

Another elitist attitude I see, "If you did not go to college, you are not as good as me" "No one can be a real person without a college education" and "One should never be judged by the content of their character, success in life, success in raising children who lead productive lives". People should only be judged on the possession of a piece of paper. Is that what you mean? I beat you work in a HR department? BTW My master's helped me through unemployment I got $400 a month over cost of school on the GI Bill. Good deal, plus I like learning and probably helped me get promoted, promotion boards like paper also. BTW2 My brother-in law, owns a Muffler Shop, (non-college graduate) lives in a neighborhood with Doctors, Lawyers. In addition, other professionals because he makes over $200K per year. Sends his kids to private schools, lots of vacations, etc. If you want to make money go to a trade school out of high school and run a muffler shop. Better fine out where he lives, he might even be in your neighborhood, just think of what he might do to the housing values.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Yip,

Have you read this book?

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=millionaire+next+door&cid=12145446019470370843&ei=M6sfTNKyMpaq2ATH5NnvCw&sa=image&ved=0CAkQ8gIwADgA#p

If not, it may do you some good to get rid of some of your own misperceptions about who the "rich" in our country may or may not be.

You'll probably be able to draw parallels between the lifestyles that pilots lead when you read about Doctors and Lawyers too.

 

[pilotyip]

good book

Yea I have heard of the book, maybe the Book Channel. From what I remember this was 5-6 years ago, many of them do not have colleges, but they are smart in many ways beyond a college education. They know how to do something people need, they live below their means and have been married to the same person. So I agree with with how you get there. Might make a good read, give more info to prove college is not the only road to success, however one measures success,

 

[Stifler's Mom]

It's an interesting read (I also downloaded it on CD to listen to) and it talks about certain occupations (namely lawyers and doctors) that feel they need to show an outwardly image of success to be accepted by their peers and the public. (ie big houses, multiple cars, nice clothes, etc.)

Also, many of these occupations require years of schooling, and leave the individual with a huge amount of debt once they enter the work place.


For me it blew away the image of what a "rich" person looks like and how they live. Years of watching, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" and "MTV Cribs" were basically Hollywood at its finest.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side when you see people in big homes and fancy cars.

 

[learflyer]

The whole "doctor/lawyer' thing is always ginned up when talking about other careers besides flying that people tend to over glorify and think that they are all rich. Reality is my wife is a Commercial Real Estate Attorney who lost her job along with the rest of us last year. She now teaches at a University making a very low salary that used to be comparable to her bonuses alone in a single year! Until this tyrant is out of office, her career is on hold if not over with and she doesn't want to start over practicing another specialty. It ain't easy being a dr/lawyer either!

 

[Caveman]

splitting hairs people. "College" = 4 year degree. 2 year degree (no matter if the school itself hangs the letters "college" on the front gate) = vocational type training, ie: specific skill set

I have a 2 year degree and there's nothing specific about it. It's an Associate Degree in General Studies. Essentially it's a glorified high school diploma. Frankly, I didn't learn jack while getting it. American history 101, algebra 101, etc. All it does it let me check a box on an employment app. It contributed zero to my ability to do my job. I already knew how to read, write, add, subtract, multiply and divide. All the science I need to know to fly airplanes I learned in grade school.

Most undergrad degrees don't provide any worthwhile job skills. This is the case in aviation. If you majored in some BS like communications you essentially wasted your time and money as far as making you a better pilot. It will, however, qualify you to fly for DAL or FedEx.

I've been a professional pilot for almost 15 years. I'm typed in transport category a/c. I have thousands of hours of turbine time and TPIC. I've spent the last decade working in the 121 airline world. I've ran an aviation business. All that being said, I'm not even eligible to apply at most major airlines because I don't have a 4 year degree. OTOH, a newly minted 22 year old Riddle grad with a brand new ATP is. Yeah, that makes sense.....

BTW, I'm not looking for work. I already work for a major and I'm happy where I'm at. I'm just pointing out the absurdity of requiring a 4 year degree to fly airplanes. All it really does is cull the herd of applicants to a more manageable number.

 

[pilotyip]

well said

I have a 2 year degree and there's nothing specific about it. It's an Associate Degree in General Studies. Essentially it's a glorified high school diploma. Frankly, I didn't learn jack while getting it. American history 101, algebra 101, etc. All it does it let me check a box on an employment app. It contributed zero to my ability to do my job. I already knew how to read, write, add, subtract, multiply and divide. All the science I need to know to fly airplanes I learned in grade school.

Most undergrad degrees don't provide any worthwhile job skills. This is the case in aviation. If you majored in some BS like communications you essentially wasted your time and money as far as making you a better pilot. It will, however, qualify you to fly for DAL or FedEx.

I've been a professional pilot for almost 15 years. I'm typed in transport category a/c. I have thousands of hours of turbine time and TPIC. I've spent the last decade working in the 121 airline world. I've ran an aviation business. All that being said, I'm not even eligible to apply at most major airlines because I don't have a 4 year degree. OTOH, a newly minted 22 year old Riddle grad with a brand new ATP is. Yeah, that makes sense.....

BTW, I'm not looking for work. I already work for a major and I'm happy where I'm at. I'm just pointing out the absurdity of requiring a 4 year degree to fly airplanes. All it really does is cull the herd of applicants to a more manageable number.

exactly a nice dose of reality

 

[satpak77]

I have a 2 year degree and there's nothing specific about it. It's an Associate Degree in General Studies. Essentially it's a glorified high school diploma. Frankly, I didn't learn jack while getting it. American history 101, algebra 101, etc. All it does it let me check a box on an employment app. It contributed zero to my ability to do my job. I already knew how to read, write, add, subtract, multiply and divide. All the science I need to know to fly airplanes I learned in grade school.

Most undergrad degrees don't provide any worthwhile job skills. This is the case in aviation. If you majored in some BS like communications you essentially wasted your time and money as far as making you a better pilot. It will, however, qualify you to fly for DAL or FedEx.

I've been a professional pilot for almost 15 years. I'm typed in transport category a/c. I have thousands of hours of turbine time and TPIC. I've spent the last decade working in the 121 airline world. I've ran an aviation business. All that being said, I'm not even eligible to apply at most major airlines because I don't have a 4 year degree. OTOH, a newly minted 22 year old Riddle grad with a brand new ATP is. Yeah, that makes sense.....

BTW, I'm not looking for work. I already work for a major and I'm happy where I'm at. I'm just pointing out the absurdity of requiring a 4 year degree to fly airplanes. All it really does is cull the herd of applicants to a more manageable number.

Yes I agree. I never have disagreed that many university degrees are worthless pieces of paper.

Thats why I recommend that the best formula for gainful employment is something similar to

FORMAL EDUCATION + DESIRED SKILLS IN MARKETPLACE + NETWORKING/GET YOUR NAME OUT THERE