Comments on: Vocational Training Can Beat the Old College Try

By: Mr. ToughMoneyLove

Mr. ToughMoneyLove — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:18:17 +0000

Art: I don’t think my thoughts are inconsistent. I did say that an early retiree needs a Plan B. Ig funds are tight, going back for a 4-year degree probably is not a good Plan B because of the out-of-pocket expense plus the opportunity cost. Learning a new skill is a great idea but that can be done in many less expensive ways, including community colleges. My point in this post was that too many people overlook that most cost-effective ways to improve their skills. Thanks for visiting.

By: Art J

Art J — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:09:37 +0000

I suspect a bit of double speak here. In your piece on the GM retiree losing their pension, didn’t you say shame on them for keeping their heads in the sand? Basically deriding them for not getting better educated so as to find work elsewhere?

Now you tell them not to go to college. This is where a lot of trade workers go to make decent money. Is the idea that they should be content low paid workers with few benefits?

By: Dale Carter

Dale Carter — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:21:00 +0000

As with any other life decision, a person has to sit down, assess their strengths, weaknesses and goals (both career and personal). That should guide them to the right educational path for them.
I fully believe my husband would not have survived 4 layoffs in his career (he is now 63) without his engineering degree from the US Naval Academy. He was told this was a differentiator by hiring managers.
I had a long work career, finished an MBA late in life (because I love learning) from a state university. I just resigned a position with a major consulting firm so I could give back in teaching.
Everyone’s journey is unique; don’t regret what you’ve lived through. Use that knowledge to make better choices in the future.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:30:37 +0000

Don’t get me started. I have a 4 year engineering degree and was always told “this country only produces 40% of the engineers it requires”. I used the military to help pay for college, and my Guard unit was activated for a year 2 weeks before I graduated.

The summer before I left a subcontractor for Chrysler wanted to hire me “right away” until they found out I was only a senior in college. After I got back the only job I could get (that needed a degree and not even my degree) was as a teacher.

Teachers in my state get paid so poorly I went back into the military just to pay the bills. I just found out last weekend a friend of ny brothers – whom I helped get through engineering classes – got two of the jobs I had been applying for and helped another company develop the land I had been living on.

Apparently no one in my area is willing to hire an engineer who didn’t start working as an engineer right out of college, or who won’t take a drastic pay cut.

I am glad I have a job in the face of layoffs, but it still angers me.

By: MasterPo

MasterPo — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 05:32:07 +0000

I can only tell you this from personal experience.

Yes, people with vocational training do usually start out making more and rise faster in a shorter period if time. But from what I’ve seen they cap-out at some max level *much* sooner.

Also, I have been able to apply for positions because of having a college degree that someone without a 4-yr degree wouldn’t even get the application reviewed. That alone is an advantage.

By: kitty

kitty — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:26:55 +0000

@TMN: ““Life experience” and “higher earnings” are both bad reasons to go to college. One that very seldom gets mentioned, though, and is in my opinion the only legitimate reason to go to college, is that you want to learn things.”

I couldn’t agree more. I’d add that you want to learn things that you plan to use in your career. Like engineering if this is what you want to do or biology/chemistry if you want to be a chemist or get a PhD and research new drugs or go to medical school. Even English if you want to be an English teacher, a reporter, or a writer (assuming you have more talent than millions of others and realize that you may not make it) or a journalist, etc. You also have to research the field you plan to major in, learn in advance about job opportunities, salaries, and plan accordingly. You also need to be realistic about your abilities and talent (if applicable).

I have an MS/CS and I don’t think I could do the same job I am doing – sofware R&D in a research lab of a Fortune 500 technology company – without my degree. I am sure there are software engineers without a degree, but their choice of jobs is limited compared to those with a degree. Even if they are super-smart, they always have to prove themselves, and all things being equal, someone with a degree will get a job.

“I should have gone to theatre school, I think.”
Lot of actors are working as waiters in NYC. If you think you have talent, couldn’t you just take some acting classes and go to auditions? I don’t believe they ask for a degree on an audition…

College degree can be an asset – if it leads to a career in the field. Otherwise, you are just paying a lot of money to learn more about your hobby. A lot of fun if you have money, but pretty risky if you don’t.

By: FV

FV — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:22:37 +0000

The best advice I received when I emigrated to this country was to attend a vocational program offered by a community college. I’ve graduated with an Associate degree in Cardiovascular Technology and no college debt. I’ve been doing echocardiograms in a hospital for 13 years now and I make close to 100k/year (including OT and call back pay)…I find it difficult to understand why so many people look down on community colleges when they offer such a good value for a relatively inexpensive tuition.