Seems I've wrote a few papers on this subject before.
This subject may be a tired one, but it is something I notice a lot.
I realize that some things will not change, and I realize that in our country, there always has to be the controlling factor.

Anyway... on with my post.

Ever been at that age when everyone your age or older is currently attending college, and they all think you should too?
Well, I have been at that age for about 3 years now.

I graduated high school in 2004. Two weeks after I graduated, I immediately enroled into college. Six weeks later, I left.
A year goes by. Then, I go back to another school. I stay for 2 and half months and then I leave.

Why did I do it? First off, the first time around was completely rushed.
The second time around was a change of heart.
So, here I am, 21 years old, and not attending college.
Is this a bad thing? No.
The general public may think so though.

It has got to the point in America that if you do not have a degree in something, you're not worth much.
People throw countless years away slaving over school work so they can heopfully have a good career when they are older.
That is all well and fine... but what if you do not want to? What if you want to wait? and what if you don't want to go at all?
Does that make you a bad person? Of course not.

I feel that if anybody wants to get back into school, they need to be 100% sure that they will want that career for a long time.

I see too many people jumping into school too quickly, and because of their quick decision, they do not want to quit because of the money involved. They may also not want to quit because their family is counting on that person to graduate.

Look, just do what makes you happy.
It doesn't matter if you want to work as a janitor the rest of your life. Just be happy with what you do.
A degree makes you no better or no worse than anyone else.
Don't feel pressured into working a job that you do not like.

So, kids, the moral is...
Don't rush into your career unless you are absolutely sure you want that career.
Also, if you do not want to further your schooling, I won't think any less of you. I may think even more of you!

sometimes..jumping into school..hepls get gov. assistance too.
i should know i graduate in jan//and i have been accepting help
now from the gov. for 18 months.

Its a freakin piece of paper for the most part anymore!

Look at George W. Bush..has a "masters" degree (in being an IDIOT). It just goes to show you, these days MONEY can buy you a LOT, even a "masters" degree or PHd, etc.

Seen too many people with "degrees" yet struggle to maintain a double digit IQ in anything.

I.W. I understand what you are saying. I did not go to college. I get to hear about how I should go back to school from family and friends all the time. They still don't get the hint that I just don't want to go. And no, it does not make us bad people!!!

Many employers prefer to hire those that have degrees. It's not necessarily the degree but the dedication to something. I have 96 employees and the ones with degrees ARE much better employees.

I.W. I understand what you are saying. I did not go to college. I get to hear about how I should go back to school from family and friends all the time. They still don't get the hint that I just don't want to go. And no, it does not make us bad people!!!

Ok. I've been a nuclear engineer and am not an optical thin film engineering technician. I have no college degree.
Having a degree is totally a social misconception. Yes, there are field where a degree is REALLY important (like neural surgeon!) but a degree does not make the person. I often wonder, looking at what a lot of people are looking for in a date, why the 'college educated' or 'bachelor's degree or above' seem to pop up so much. It's a social standard that's being blasted into our heads from all around... a degree is required to get a good job and make a decent income. It's the key to success.
But then... where do I fit in? I've got a good job, make a decent wage, but never set foot on a college campus for a single hour in any class.
It's sad that we place so much important on a symbol of knowledge rather than knowledge itself. It's pathetic that we focus on something that could mean nothing more than that someone knows the historical significance of the paperclip (yes, there is a college that gives an associates degree in history based on that) and so little on who a person is.
So, to everyone else who has a better outlook on life than just the piece of paper that says what a person supposedly knows.

I agree with what you said..

Sometimes it takes several years before some people figure out what they want verses what they don't want...
Sometimes some people just have to "try it on" to see if it fits first..(degree, job, whatever)..
It is a sad thing to see/ hear people who judge others' by that piece of paper, or more letters after your name, etc;..
Your right, when it comes down to the wire it's all very simple actually, WE tend to make it complicated..Just Be HAPPY!!..
It's that simple..
I wish you the best, and Happy New Year!!.

Really? However, is that based on the degree or the person's background?
There is more to the work ethic and impact someone brings to a company that the degree in most cases. Now, if you can isolate 100 people with the same attitude and background, and then see what the difference is between those with and without degrees, I'll take that as being relative to the degree... not that that's gonna happen!