Is College a Waste of Time?

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I commend you for writing this and taking this stand, particularly in this economy. I spent nine years working my way through college, and while in my career I need to have a "degree", I have not used my particular degree. Now, in this economy, I am now making the same as I was before I earned my degree (in the same field). If I had just stayed on my path of just getting out there and working hard and treasuring each experience, I am positive I would have not had the miserable experience of searching for jobs that used my accounting degree. I have worked full time and often two jobs since I was 14 and always just enjoyed my job and always money to live a simple but enriched life. Now, the people I know that are doing well are the ones who bypassed college and either just "worked their way up" or have made a successful business for themself. Thank you for sharing your opinions on this. I am currently a single parent, raising my son with a more "real" world approach, giving him real wisdom and experiences and focusing less on the traditional education (just making sure he gets through school, and not worrying about the unnecessary subjects). I was a 4.0 student in both high school and college, but my best attribute that has gotten me the farthest is my work ethic and creativity.

JC of CA 8:14PM November 25, 2011

Learning a profession, let say completing a 2 year degree program for a paticulare profession will pay greater dividends with less debt in the form of student loans(nursing, auto mechanic, bookkeeping etc)

Michael Love of TX 5:50PM November 24, 2011

I absolutely LOVE this!!!! GREAT, real, soundminded article. :)!

Kela of OR 1:26PM November 19, 2011

Two indie-pop musicians with no college degree?

I hope they still have daytime jobs.

Neo 7:20AM October 23, 2011

I regret ever going to college when I did. I went right after high school when everyone told me to do and I have a BS in Business Management and an MBA. I'm in $60,000 of debt and I eork as a receptionist making $13/hr. Yes I am thankful that I have a job and can pay my bills but seriously...? With an extra $300 I have to pay each month on my student loans, it wasn't worth it. I wish I wouldn't have listened to anyone and went to school when I was ready. I know people say it's better to go right after high school because your already in the groove of things, and it will be harder to go after 5-10yrs but I've spent 7 years in college, ubtained 2 degrees and am considering going back....I mean I haven't even benefited from my degrees what so ever. I am trying to make the best of it but when you work for a company that doesn't care about college education and everyone you work with makes more then you and has no common sense, it's a little hard to grasp because you know your worth more. It's funny how I keep on reading online statistics that say having a Buiness Degree is in the #1 spot...yeah which states because have the time when I apply for a job I don't even think they noticed I went to school....So for those of you out there that are thinking of going to college, make it count and research jobs and degrees and even certificate programs because those seem the best right now.

Danielle of FL 11:09AM October 20, 2011

college is like cell phones/computer/internet..

very few people had access to college

Now, college in 2010-2030 is free free free free on web.

Anyone with internet/web access can access the best lectures in the world... free free free.

college is New High School.. college degree is New High School diploma.

Bill Gatse of WA 3:44PM October 12, 2011

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Alpha Consumer

Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about making smarter financial decisions. She’s the author of Generation Earn: The Young Professional's Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back.

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