Posted on 10/05/2015 9:11:08 AM PDT by Borges
Two years ago, my nephew was set to graduate from Marylands Towson University with a degree in political science. After six long years, both he and his parents were ready to breathe a sigh of reliefhe had made it to the finish line. He had never been excited about school, and his parents had worried about his lack of enthusiasm, wishing he could be engaged in something that ignited his curiosity and provided him more of a motivation to focus, something more hands-on and practical. But they also knew that without a bachelors degree, my nephews ability to move into a rewarding career, earn a middle-class salary, and enjoy some economic security would be very limited. And they worried that if he didnt complete that degree before he turned 25, he likely never would (a reasonable concern, given national statistics on college completion). Determined to launch him into adulthood with the strongest possible foundation they could, they persuaded him to go to college and crossed their fingers.
(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...
I know there are many times a college grad can’t get a job,but I also know that many times the opportunities in a skilled trade are not real good either. It just depends on the skilled trade you get into & what the opportunities are where you live. Training for a skilled trade could leave you owing for a school loan,plus tools needed for your trade & starting out in a situation that pays less than a living. You may have to work for years to get anywhere,but in the meantime are starving to death. Or,you might do well if you have the skills & find the right situation.
I know there are many times a college grad can’t get a job,but I also know that many times the opportunities in a skilled trade are not real good either. It just depends on the skilled trade you get into & what the opportunities are where you live. Training for a skilled trade could leave you owing for a school loan,plus tools needed for your trade & starting out in a situation that pays less than a living. You may have to work for years to get anywhere,but in the meantime are starving to death. Or,you might do well if you have the skills & find the right situation.
A friend of mine has a son who went to a trade school for motorcycle engine repair. Perhaps you can do well with that someplace, but not where we live. The young man traveled out to Phoenix for school, spent a couple of years, and became "certified" to work on a number of different cycle engines, but never really made much more than 9 or 10 dollars per hour. I think they "promised" that he could make much more than that.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.