The PhD problem: are we giving out too many degrees?

[RACER X]

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

Yup, sure has. I turned down a machinist apprenticeship, straight out of college, because I was by damn going to use my diploma. Unfortunately we still need carpenters, plumbers, electricians, garbage men, general labourers, ...... There's a good living to be made in such areas; likely better than at some helpdesk, that's going to be outsourced anyway.

So is that what you want to instil in your kids to be when they grow up,a general laborer?

College degreed people still make more on avg then h.s. Degreed people

[tommymac]

Originally Posted by defector

It was digging ditches for us. Guess McD's didn't instill the fear they wanted.

For us it was mcdonalds or pumping gas. Although I did pump gas for 6 months and was an ok job back then. Now a days I dont think an american citizen can work as a gas station attendant

[MILK]

Originally Posted by RACER X

So is that what you want to instil in your kids to be when they grow up,a general laborer?

College degreed people still make more on avg then h.s. Degreed people

Agreed! What I told my son is that with a good education you can CHOOSE to dig ditches if you want. With no education you don't get to choose.

No one gave me my degree. I earned it.

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by RACER X

So is that what you want to instil in your kids to be when they grow up,a general laborer?

College degreed people still make more on avg then h.s. Degreed people

Actually I would want to tell my children that they should do a job they can be proud of, enjoy doing, and ultimately and most importantly make a living wage on. There is nothing to be ashamed of, in doing an honest day's work.

THAT is what I would want to instill in my children.

[tallywacker]

Universities are businesses trying to make as much money as possible. Higher learning comes second.

[tommymac]

Originally Posted by tallywacker

Universities are businesses trying to make as much money as possible. Higher learning comes second.

with the cost of books and tuition now its painfully evident

[RACER X]

I guess a living wage is relative

You also want your kids yo do well in life emotionally and financially, iMO, $ isn't everything but it sure makes life easier.

[RACER X]

Originally Posted by tallywacker

Universities are businesses trying to make as much money as possible. Higher learning comes second.

Are univ non-profit?

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by RACER X

I guess a living wage is relative

You also want your kids yo do well in life emotionally and financially, iMO, $ isn't everything but it sure makes life easier.

Sometimes the pursuit of the almighty buck, and the attendant 'trappings of success', makes quality of life significantly worse.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

Actually I would want to tell my children that they should do a job they can be proud of, enjoy doing, and ultimately and most importantly make a living wage on. There is nothing to be ashamed of, in doing an honest day's work.

THAT is what I would want to instill in my children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-udsIV4Hmc

20 minutes, but WELL worth watching.
Yes, all of you. (or skip to 10 minutes in for the real meat of the lecture)