How long ago was it?
I don’t know how it is at your work, but in mine it is mostly engineers and programmers from other countries.
$1,300+ monthly payment????!!!!!!
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I don’t know how it is at your work, but in mine it is mostly engineers and programmers from other countries.
I know Silicon Valley and I know about Economics. Your post was insulting.
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I'm not against education, even 4-6-8 year degrees. Yes, I fully understand most professional-level careers demand 4-5-6-8 years of college.
My daughter is in the middle of obtaining a Bachelor's degree in the medical field. Most people in this field will pursue an Associates, very few have a Bachelors until recently when more and more began to pursue them. A Master's is rare in this field.
My wife and I are also funding this expense, we didn't want her to have the stress of paying for college on her. But we are not silent check writers. Yes, I call the University a few times a year and speak my mind about their courses they have required and I've never gotten an explanation about the first two semesters where we paid $1600 for the "meal card" and there was no possible way to obtain more than $1400 in benefit. Absolutely no way. I threatened to be present at the next Freshman-Parent Orientation and ask that very question. The next year the fee to SODEXO for students who lived in student housing on campus where the meal card is required was $1400. Imagine that.
Then there was the required 4-page paper explaining how beneficial the Netflix movie on Equality she was required to watch and report on... That along with 3-4 other courses we had to pay for that had zero to do with her degree.
It's amazing how NONE of the BS courses are even available while she is "in a program" that focuses 100% of her studies on the subject matter of her degree the last 5 semesters of school. It's also crazy how tuition for these 5 semesters has increased 25%.
BTW, I have worked in a field that requires a Bachelor's degree for 30 years. 30 years ago a college degree meant something. I know this is gonna hurt some feelings, but today, there's not nearly the respect for a college degree that there once was and there's a major reason behind that.
There's also a major reason why the Trades are getting some serious backing today. Big names who have real celebrity-type clout are pushing the trades and lots of people are taking note.
I work with tradesmen everyday. Most will compile an annual income close to mine or above it. Most pipe/structural welders, fitters, millwrights and multi-craft tradesmen will gross over $100k in taxable earnings in 2023 and many will have $30k+ in non-taxable per diem.
Of course. People come here for the Economic powerhouse we built. This started as Vietnam vets came home and took good advantage of their well earned benefits. They and others supplied quality talent; we continue to grow.
By being an old man and yelling at the clouds?
Seems to be working for me--I mean, I got tired of the "bobisthemoneyguy" crap here... until I finally gave in and did some reading. And realized I was doing it wrong. I won't say my parents were financially illiterate, but I'm also biased--let's just leave it at that. My background more reflects "the wrong way" than the right way. Am still trying to figure out how to guide my kids through to literacy.
But sitting back and complaining about boomers, gen x, gen z, doesn't cut it.
*
I wish I knew the answer to this, but I have to wonder if this isn't part of a bigger problem. I mean, how do we best spend our money, best spend our time. What food to eat, when to exercise. Impulse control. The list goes on. I have to wonder if financial literacy isn't part of a larger problem of simple short sighted thinking. Live for the moment, live for yourself. I'm not sure how you teach kids that they have value but that they then need to go prove themselves at some point. That they need to go dig the trenches before they can stand on the mountain.
Nothing is free. Tuition free community college is not a thing. If they walked up to you and took your wallet out of your pocket and emptied it of cash saying "Thank you for providing "free" community college." it might become more apparent. But it is insulting to suggest and applaud such a thing when it is not and never will be. "There are no free lunches." applies to everything, not just lunch.
The point is that the school you remember is very, very different than it is now. They don’t produce the same amount of talent they used to, so the companies have to actively supplement from the outside.
That’s not the same as people coming to CA or USA for economic opportunity, they are actively being sought after. That should give an indication of the state of our education system.
@supton - My yelling at clouds didn’t do much good, I don’t think.
However, I talked about decisions,
showed the kids the budget, worked very hard to come up with the means to support them, practiced frugality, required them to have part time jobs, expected their best work in school, helped them with things like math and physics, and probably engaged in a couple dozen other efforts and behaviors that were not even conscious.
I walked the walk.
And do you know what?
They were watching.
I never even knew it.
Until I started seeing them make good decisions. E.G. My oldest, living on a Resident’s salary (and still driving the used Volvo I gave her), had managed to put aside some substantial savings in her first two years and called me for investment advice because she wanted to open an IRA.
She was listening. Observing. She doesn’t have time to read books on finances during a surgery Residency, because she is literally trying to drink from a fire hose, but she knew, and acted, on the importance of managing money, and of investing for the long term.
I’m proud of her for many reasons, but her financial decisions both make me proud, and give me hope for her future.
However, I talked about decisions,
showed the kids the budget, worked very hard to come up with the means to support them, practiced frugality, required them to have part time jobs, expected their best work in school, helped them with things like math and physics, and probably engaged in a couple dozen other efforts and behaviors that were not even conscious.
I walked the walk.
And do you know what?
They were watching.
I never even knew it.
Until I started seeing them make good decisions. E.G. My oldest, living on a Resident’s salary (and still driving the used Volvo I gave her), had managed to put aside some substantial savings in her first two years and called me for investment advice because she wanted to open an IRA.
She was listening. Observing. She doesn’t have time to read books on finances during a surgery Residency, because she is literally trying to drink from a fire hose, but she knew, and acted, on the importance of managing money, and of investing for the long term.
I’m proud of her for many reasons, but her financial decisions both make me proud, and give me hope for her future.
Not true. The CA University System is the largest in the world and is highly respected. The 2 biggest schools are Buisness and Engineering. Perhaps I can bring up some data...
CA State University Intro to CSU
University of California
Quantity is not the same as quality.
Here are first year curses from Stanford University.
Just judging by the names of these courses, I can only imagine the type of woke garbage they teach.
Here are first year curses from Stanford University.
Just judging by the names of these courses, I can only imagine the type of woke garbage they teach.
But truthful
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Honest answer-
Just like College isn't for everyone, the Trades aren't for everyone. All I meant is that I combat the last 30-40 years of "your kid needs to go to college to be anything" with "please expose your kid to the trades" in 2023.
I grew up with knowing a few people with MD that were my age. Yes, it sucks. It sucked watching kids not being able to do what I did. I hated it. From your question, I assume you've been told that he will have some years where he can earn an income. That is wonderful. The kids I grew up with in the 70's and 80's never saw that.
There is one 'trade', that's Drafting/Design, more in the REVIT / BIM / 3D building modeling. I assure you if he could learn to model construction plans/etc in Revit, he can be employed immediately. Average salary/earnings right now for a competent Revit modeler is about $70k.
He could probably establish himself as a contractor and work for various electrical and mechanical contactors, structural engineers and do work for them individually. It's a highly sought-after skill right now.
Good thoughts. But what does that have to do with the accurate statement that nothing is free? You are answering things I never said and ignoring the very specific and accurate statements made.
Stanford University students are required to only take one of those for their first year. The completion requirements doesn't look much different than a normal class and it looks like the credits can be used towards finishing different course requirements.
I want to apologise to @Pablo for my comment about insult. I respect his opinion even if I disagree with it.
That whole thing reminds me of the statue in front of Faber College in the movie, "Animal House"........ "Knowledge Is Good".
So a forced investment mandated on the populace. Or will people be allowed to opt out of participating?
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