<p>You seem to have a hard time understanding that work is not to enjoy; that is why it is called ‘work’.</p>
<p>Also, there is time to study one’s favourite subjects; it is not like they will never be studied and all learning stops after one receives a diploma in the mail.</p>
<p>The purpose of college is to obtain the degree; how much simpler can I put this? That is the only way it provides a return. There are side benefits which come e.g. extracurriculars, but there are called ‘extracurriculars’ because they are extra.</p>
<p>You seem to have trouble with priorities. Life is not a cakewalk or any of that other stuff liberal arts people believe; I took online classes for my general education stuff so I have no idea what else they teach the non-engineering people.</p>
<p>Also, if it helps you to think I am a simpleton, go nuts. The closest you will get to driving a Mercedes-Benz is while valet parking, we’ll see who’s happier then :D</p>
<p>Work will certainly not be enjoyable for you. As I said, this is because you’ve judged your entire future job utility on income, rather than a combination of income, enjoyment, and health risks. </p>
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<p>Sure thing. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy life while you earn a degree, and enjoy life after you earn a degree. Maximizing potential income is not (necessarily) maximizing life utility. How much simpler can I put this? If you agree, then why do you judge those that choose to maximize their utility and fulfillment in life?</p>
<p>Even if we ignore potential personal growth and education in college, you get a degree to obtain the job you want. The job you want isn’t necessarily the job that maximizes your income. </p>
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<p>Not at all. I’m very content, and I consider myself a hard worker and student.</p>
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<p>I’m not a liberal arts major, but I haven’t met many who think this.</p>
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<p>It doesn’t help me. I hope you change. I am fully confident in my potential regardless of whether you maximize your potential or not. I’m just saying that you’re not maximizing your potential–you’re stuck in a rut because you can’t see the utility beyond finances. </p>
<p>Finances are extremely important to utility only when your income is incredibly low. Beyond this point, there’s diminishing marginal utility to wealth, and other factors become more important–this is basic economic sense. Most Americans are beyond the financial point where finances rule their lives, and yet very few Americans graduated with technical college majors. What do you think this implies?</p>
<p>This implies that they were deluded as to what the purpose of college is. Also, the average salary of one with a bachelor’s degree is $52K, and $62K for a masters. After taxes, that is not much. Thus, most USians are not beyond the point where finances run their lives.</p>
<p>An EE degree, on average, pays out $55K my first year. Just as importantly, it will enable me to leave the country and seek employment elsewhere due to the versatility of the degree. Can you say that about yours? Will your degree enable you to purchase a Mercedes-Benz outright? I drive a used Benz because I bust my ass trading currencies part-time, but still. Will your degree enable you to retire at 55 if not earlier? I don’t bust my freakin’ butt for peanuts. </p>
<p>Oh wait…you are focused upon the intangibles, the fru-fru crap invented by college marketing departments…I pity the fool.</p>
<p>Are you kidding me? The hardest majors are usually the pure sciences, particularly in math/physics. However, it depends on universities, but this is usually the case, since most ppl major in these areas are going to become scholars at their fields. At other times, however, ppl who only pursue an education degree have an easier courseload tho.</p>
<p>People who make rational choices using more complex criteria than yours are not deluded. They simply measure utility differently. </p>
<p>You’re trying to make it seem like you can “cut through the crap” and you’ve “figured it all out–money trumps all.” Your one-dimensional view is well versed and understood by most people, even if they reject it. This doesn’t make either you or them wrong. </p>
<p>It does make you look like a ■■■■■.</p>
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<p>Money is only one factor in a multivariate utility function, and when you’re reaching 30k+/year, money rapidly declines in value.</p>
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<p>Yes, I can. Better yet, I didn’t choose CS or Accounting because they “pay well,” so I will arguably have the same benefits while enjoying my work. I argue that my lifestyle will be far more pleasing than yours, even if you earn a bit more–and it’s unclear whether you will.</p>
<p>Even for a soft liberal arts major, I would think there’s a good chance they will enjoy their lives more than you will, even if they’re average students who graduate with 30k/year jobs to start off life. Nothing wrong with working your way up. </p>
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<p>No, because the average CS grad at my school makes 55k starting. Neither of us will be buying a Benz when we leave college, and that’s probably a damn good thing. It’s really strange that this is what motivates you in life.</p>
<p>Look, Van, no one insulted you or your EE degree; the pursuit is a good one, and I hope you’ve done well for yourself. You seem to have picked up a little Greek in your time, and that is laudable, though I am myself more of a Latinist, and your behavior reminds me of a Latin proverb:</p>
<p>“Damnant quod non intellegunt”</p>
<p>I think it applies well to you.</p>
<p>That, or you’re a ■■■■■, which is almost certainly the truth. I sure hope you are, because there are quite enough cocky jackasses on this planet to go around.</p>
<p>I can’t shame you for wanting that because if you work hard like it seems you would like to do, you will get that.</p>
<p>I’d rather major in something that I would enjoy and be passonate about, rather than majoring in something purely looking at the average annual income figures. Money is important to a certain degree, but I don’t find it so important that you need to choose a major that will bring in loads of money without being able to be passionate or enjoy it.</p>
<p>What I’m trying to say is, as long as I make enough money to live comfortably and support my family in the future, I’ll be OK. I don’t need a Mercedes or a mansion on the beach. I’m OK with that, and there are many, many others who are also OK with that as well.</p>
note that α- is often a negator as seen in ἀθάνατος (immortal).</p>