Comments on: Examine Your Motives Series: Going to College

By: realist

realist — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 02:00:12 +0000

wasn’t for you bud, that was for rob.

we know each other’s backgrounds, so you should know that wasn’t for you

By: Clever Dude

Clever Dude — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 23:23:47 +0000

Realist: Then why didn’t you finish college? (yes readers, he’s a long-time friend of mine). My parents didn’t pay for my school, and I’m doing fine. Stacie paid for her own education, and she’s doing fine.

There’s no cheating about it, because I think that kids would get more out of their education, if they get anything, if they have to work for it. As a parent, hold reserves if they really need help, but hold back until they do.

I wasn’t spoiled as a kid, and my kids, if we ever have any, shouldn’t be either. They’ll do better than I did, but paying for their college doesn’t automatically guarantee that. It takes alot more than just shelling out cash to be a good parent.

By: js

js — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 23:17:34 +0000

I went to college because my parents told me I’d never make enough money to get by otherwise (they both had college degrees – so really it’s not like I knew much better).

By: realist

realist — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 22:44:28 +0000

Tip: if you can pay for your kids future, and don’t, you are cheating them out of their future.

Look at the cost of college, and think how many years they will have to work just to dig themselves out of debt.

You should always want to give your kids a better life then what you had…and if you can afford to pay, and don’t, then you are not helping your kids out, but hurting them more then you can imagine.

By: guinness416

guinness416 — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:48:13 +0000

There was a report in the Irish papers last week about the trend of some of the highest achievers in the high school system (who could almost have their pick of college courses) choosing to take trades apprenticeships, which I found interesting. I hope the jobs/boom are there for them in four years. And we have taxpayer-paid education, so there’s not much risk in going to college.

It was certainly expected of me by parents and teachers that I’d go to college, because I was good academically. I had a ball, which probably wasn’t their intent – lots of booze, bad boys and coffee drinking in the student union – and I loved my bartending night job. The study? Not so much. That piece of paper did lead to a lucrative career too though.

By: plonkee

plonkee — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:17:14 +0000

I went to uni because I really wanted to study my subject (in the UK we specialise particularly early). I am fortunate in that it can lead to very well-paying jobs. Sadly it didn’t lead to one of those, but I have found that the people who chose subjects that they loved at uni have done well for themselves. Enthusiasm is a good trait I guess.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:16:42 +0000

Great series. I went to college b/c I didn’t want to work in a factory, but also because I need to be challenged. I have a hard time being satisfied with the status quo. I get bored without a challenge, and for me, college was a gateway to other opportunities. That’s also why I am researching MBA options right now. Because of the doors an MBA will open for me.

By: Examine Your Motives Series: Introduction at Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:13:14 +0000

[...] Saving With Me on Examine Your Motives Series: Going to College [...]

By: Clever Dude

Clever Dude — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:41:38 +0000

Rob: I agree. I paid for my tuition only, and I was still a slacker. I get excellent grades (finished with 3.6 or so) even though I didn’t study much. And I happened upon some good jobs that kept me competitive. However, I know there has to be something I’d be happier doing than my current career.

Saving: Yep, we’re definitely alike. I’m moving into project management, especially with the masters degree I start next week.

By: Saving With Me

Saving With Me — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:32:09 +0000

We have quite similar paths. I also went to college ensuring I get a degree that paid well and selected IT. I am in a growing but specialized field within IT that has even more potential as it is fairly new. My salary is very competitive for where I live. However, I am still wanting more and have been moving from the IT side to the business/project management side slowly within my company. It takes a lot of time to figure out exactly what you want out of a career. People our age change jobs many times throughout a career, and most will even change careers at some point. It is all a growth process and with each year understanding more of what you want is the key.