To the women of GaG... Do you think your college degree was worth the investment of time and money?

[Ariesman81]

My daughter (16) is in the process of deciding what path to take post high school. Like all high schoolers she has grand desires of what her future will be. Though, honestly, I don't see the value of higher education at the university level.

Yes... the investment has paid off

No... it was a waste of time and money

Happy I went, but am not using my degree

[antelope51]

It didn't pay off until I'd had a few years to figure out why I was getting one. Going directly from high school to college, I was in the mind-set that this was just baby-sitting... away from home. Boys, parties, socializing, grades? (psh) After flunking out, having to work for a few years to earn my rent, food, gas, and then going back to community college at night (instead of the 4-year private college I started at) put things into perspective. It also gave me a more step-by-step way to 'level up' getting an AAS, then a BS, then an MS in 2 year increments. Before that, I had 8 years of higher education and nothing but a high school diploma... because I kept jumping around trying to find myself and my major.

So yeah, having a 2-year degree opened the doors beyond 'high school degree' but I needed to figure out that I was doing it for my future and so I wouldn't have to work 3 jobs to make rent on a shitty studio apartment... not because it was the prescribed road.

I would suggest a gap year or trade-school, and then grow into a career after that. If nothing else, you'll learn how business works and that you're all working for a common goal as peers, which most 4-year grads actually don't understand... and that will give you a hiring edge.

[Apple1996]

I never went to college. Personally it wouldn't have been worth it for me especially since I wanted different things back then. As time goes on especially throughout our 20s we change our goals/career plans so I cannot imagine what I would have done if I would have gotten a degree in engineering (which was my original plan back then)

[Ariesman81]

It's been my experience as well. It's a fine line to walk between being a supportive father and a realist. Psychology is what she wants currently, I'm just afraid she'll wake up in her mid 20s and realize her purpose was elsewhere. Which seems to be the case for many.

[Ariesman81]

When did you know motherhood and family were to be your purpose. Or did it just happen that way for you?

[Apple1996]

I got pregnant young so it kind of just happened lol

[msc545]

Psychology is good but very difficult. It takes at the very least a master's degree to have any financial success, and a doctoral degree is much better.

[Ariesman81]

I don't mean to get to personal, but do you feel fulfilled and purpose driven?

[msc545]

I do. I am a PhD Neuro and Clinical Psychologist.

[msc545]

Psychologists at the doctoral level easily make high 6 and occasionally 7-figure incomes. I personally have no complaints regarding this issue.

[Ariesman81]

@msc545 I'm glad you feel purpose driven, but the question was directed towards @Apple1996

[msc545]

ok - hard to tell here.

[antelope51]

If she intends on working in mental health or becoming a therapist, this is already a growing societal need... whether there's money in it or it will retain its appeal after having to listen to people's problems or not... is another story.

[elaphe]

It's not all about jobs and money. Many studies have shown that college grads tend to be healthier, happier, and more involved in their communities than people who did not graduate from college. It could be a chicken and egg thing, of course.

[NathanDavis]

many of them are not worthy nowadays, or make no substantial difference

but some others, always will... I do definitely appreciate it very much that my doctors, which happen to be all females... do have a few college papers, lol

[AI Opinion]

I understand your concerns. The value of a college degree can vary depending on career goals and individual aspirations. For many, higher education opens doors to specialized knowledge and career opportunities. However, it's important to consider alternatives like vocational training or apprenticeships, which can also lead to fulfilling careers. Encouraging your daughter to research various paths and reflect on her passions and skills will help her make an informed decision. In my experience, aligning education with one's interests and the job market trends usually yields the most satisfying outcomes.

[Simslover92]

Nope but I think it's what I got a degree in. My major was English and unless you're going to go to grad school for English to be a professor in English, it's so not worth it. I should have chosen accounting or something I could actually use to get a good job. If she's not going into one of the STEM majors then I would definitely tell her to choose something outside of college. It will be a waste of time if she's not going into science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

[Ariesman81]

This is definitely the path I'm directing her towards. An associate degree. Test the waters with out investing large sums of money or time at an early age. Her goal is Psychology... passion is art. She's wise enough to know art won't pay bills, but psychology requires massive investment. An investment that statistically doesn't pay off.

[Simslover92]

Psychology is a good field to go into with so many needing mental help these days. But your goal for her is sound. An associate degree would be a great start.

[Ariesman81]

Can you tell the other people in her life?
I swear... everyone has her convinced that university is the only option.

[Simslover92]

Wow that's kind of shocking in this economy. You would think more people would vouch for not going to university unless you have a bunch of scholarships and doing trade or associate instead.

[msc545]

Art therapists make VERY good money.

[msc545]

An AA is just for the General Ed requirements and is supposed to be a sort of 2-year tour of the possibilities. If she is attending a community college and is an in-state student the cost for this part is very low.

[Ariesman81]

@msc545 A what?

[msc545]

People with a 4-year college degree make on average 1 million $ more in their lifetime than those without such a degree. Seems well worth it.

[Ariesman81]

@msc545 Well aware

[Ariesman81]

@msc545 This maybe true of men, but I doubt it's true for women. Especially if family is at all a priority for them.

[msc545]

a two year college degree is an Associates of Arts or AA degree. It is unrelated to any particular major but is required for two more years of classes in a specific major like Psychology or anything else.

[msc545]

Well - if a person doesn't work or works part-time it obviously is less. Otherwise, I think it is independent of gender - at least in healthcare it is.

[Potteplante]

No money spend for my profession bachelor - the time invested in it was definitely worth it, wish I had done it earlier but life didn't dictate that, might even study further later.

[marshmallowcream]

No , not worth the time and money. Unless it’s absolutely necessary for a career path I will always advise against it

[exitseven]

What she majors in is more important than where she goes or if she goes at all. Communications majors end up at Starbucks

[msc545]

@exitseven or as anchors on Fox News.

[Anonymous]

I have a degree in being a failure.. does that count?

[Ariesman81]

Did you learn anything?

[msc545]

Completely paid off although it took a lot of time.

[msc545]

It IS important to study something that is in demand - and not get involved in things that are not useful.

[Ariesman81]

I am curious what your views are on the correlation between Bible and human nature.

[msc545]

@ariesman81 You are asking me or someone else?

[msc545]

@ariesman81 quite honestly, I've never read the Bible and I don't know enough about it to actually have an intelligent opinion about this. Sorry.

[RedInnocent69]

It really depends on what she wants to do. For most professions it’s table stakes

[strateguy632]

2nd d