<p>I know that many of you would feel like failures if you don't make $100,000/year out of college. I also know that many of you are going to end up with jobs unrelated to your major, which you will hate. And the money won't make the jobs more tolerable, because you won't be making a lot of money to begin with. I hope that your investment of tens of thousands of dollars pays off. As for me, it's impossible not to feel like garbage when my parents look at me almost teary eyed. Why do they do it???</p>
<p>Lets say the worst case scenario (besides no job) is getting a job in a field completely different than my major (thus starting at a far lower salary due to lack of expertise). I still would appreciate the knowledge I’ve gained and the technical skills I have gained, even if I can only apply it to a hobby (like robotics or programming or what have you). </p>
<p>So, I would not say that my college experience is/will be a waste of time and money, because I’m doing stuff that I enjoy doing. If I end up working in a cubicle in some sort of non-EECS job, I will still have accrued valuable knowledge, that are worth it. </p>
<p>It could be considered a little expensive if you have no intention of getting a job in that field, but you are genuinely passionate about what you’re learning, but it still wouldn’t be a real waste. It would be a waste if you were miserable for 4 years and then get a crappy job in an unrelated field, but I just can’t possibly imagine a person doing that. (Read: sane person).</p>
<p>So, even if I can’t find an Electrical Engineering or Comp Sci. Job, I will have a pretty awesome hobby, and will still be able to do what I love to do. Therefore college is not a waste of time (for me at least).</p>
<p>OP: What’s your real point/question? Sounds like college is the least of your problems.</p>
<p>Why would I feel like a failure without a $100k job? As long as money covers basic essentials, the rest is just frills. I have grown up on a $30k a year budget for a family of three. Why would I need $100k for a family of two? </p>
<p>Additionally, you should have gone to a college you could afford. I went to a lower-ranked school because they offered me a good financial package. I think I’ll graduate with around $20k in debt- and that’s with study abroad for a summer. </p>
<p>So yes, college is a waste if you throw $100k you can’t afford down a drain. Therefore, don’t do it.</p>
<p>romanigypsyeyes, I don’t owe any money. But my current earning potential is pitiful.</p>
<p>You threw tens of thousands of dollars, your “investment” down the drain. If it didn’t do anything for you, it should have been put to better use. That was my main point.</p>
<p>And how do you know what your current earning potential is? MOST people don’t make $100k right out of college. You’re dead wrong if assume that that’s normal or something and anything less is a failure.</p>
<p>Furthermore, I think that there are many benefits to be gained that go beyond the job-specific training you get in college. You also learn how to learn, learn how to solve problems and how to think critically, which will help you in any field. You also learn how to live with people (if you live in a dorm or have roommates) and how to make it on your own, how to be an individual person and take responsibility and get things done and just be an adult. For most people, that’s a good investment. My entire college and living expenses are paid for, so for me it was the obvious choice. For some, though, it’s not and there are a variety of ways to get the degree you need without the full college experience. And that’s fine. But many people can benefit from the lessons learned outside the classroom, even if they don’t know it.</p>
<p>“You also learn how to learn, learn how to solve problems and how to think critically, which will help you in any field.”</p>
<p>I hope those abilities help me with manual labor.</p>
<p>“You also learn how to live with people (if you live in a dorm or have roommates) and how to make it on your own, how to be an individual person and take responsibility and get things done and just be an adult. For most people, that’s a good investment.”</p>
<p>Probably for most people.</p>
<p>How about you learn to enjoy it? Going to college will help you out (eventually) more than trying to get a job right out of high school.</p>
<p>Plus, if you weren’t/aren’t just a loner study-nerd, it’s fun too. You meet great people, and have a good time. </p>
<p>Money is nice and often essential to having a good time. But remember the fundamental point of life is to have a good time (while ensuring you can still have a good/even better time in the future). Don’t let your priorities get mixed up.</p>
<p>And that’s why as well you see so many rich people just as inclined to depression and unhappiness with their life, often even more so, than moderate to moderate-low income people who live lives of much less social status and glory.</p>
<p>"Money is nice and often essential to having a good time. But remember the fundamental point of life is to have a good time (while ensuring you can still have a good/even better time in the future). Don’t let your priorities get mixed up. "</p>
<p>It’s hard to enjoy life when you don’t have a source of income and when your earning potential is limited. But don’t change the subject. This discussion is not about spare money. It is about having a rewarding job that pays enough money to cover the essentials: food, rent, medicine, etc.</p>
<p>Do you expect said rewarding job to appear out of nowhere without a college degree? The only way you know for sure that you’ll end up with that fate is if you don’t even try to pursue the career you want, which for most people will mean going to college first.</p>
<p>I have a college degree. Good GPA, challenging major, decent university. Not that anyone cares though.</p>
<p>You sound depressed. Go talk to a counselor. They can help you more than we can.</p>
<p>Totally agree romani.</p>
<p>I could have sworn this thread was in another CC forum under a different username. OP is a ■■■■■. Epic fail.</p>
<p>"You sound depressed. Go talk to a counselor. They can help you more than we can. "</p>
<p>How do you know I did not talk to a counselor already?</p>
<p>“Depression” was not in her diagnosis.</p>
<p>And the “help” she provided was either none or minimal. The fact of the matter is, she is neither a career advisor nor a staffing agent. She can’t give me a job or make my credentials more attractive to employers.</p>
<p>I would have to agree on my behalf. I haven’t once used my bachelors degree in history since I graduated college back in 2005 and the only jobs I seem to get since I don’t have any skills are jobs paying 10 dollars an hour or less. </p>
<p>I basically making the same amount as someone who dropped out of high school.</p>
<p>College is neither a waste of time or money, you have very limited responsibility surrounded by thousands upon thousands of sluts while making yourself marketable for the real world.</p>
<p>You need EC’s and leadership experience and also to smooth talk the interviewer. Without these things your done, like you said. Your good GPA doesn’t mean anything.</p>
<p>You screwed up big time.</p>
<p>You should have listened to your advisors because I highly doubt they didn’t say something about your lack of experience.</p>
<p>I think it really depends on your major. Some majors just do not get you far. You might just have to go to graduate school (and go more into debt, which you are obviously against).</p>