School

[IcyJJ]

I am currently seeking my degree in criminal justice, associate level. I was curious about a few things that might make a good topic.

What is your current level of education?
Have you graduated high school?
Are you in college and what is your major?
What level degree do you have?

I learned that asking those around me help me decide what major I wanted to be in, so I figure if there is one person who isn't sure, why not help out.

[che]

It can definitely improve and change your life to ask yourself these questions/compare with others. It would be interesting to me to add "what degree would you like to have" and "what level of education do you feel comfortable stopping at, if any?".

[seanb]

How wonderful. A thread to belittle and mentally entangle those who don't have an impressive education. Asking who has what in regards to degrees and scholarships won't help you on your path.

[Xanatos]

Our school system's somewhat different than what you have in USA, highschool is pretty much our version college. As soon as you finish elementary you chose your future profession and specialize in it for 3 to 4 years depending what you've chosen. After that you can go on uni to get further education not necessarily in your field.

I graduated as a building technician, specialized in roads, railroads and smaller objects, right now I'm on uni trying to expand my field of education and become civil engineer. We don't have major per se, although we base our final paper on subject we personally chose.

[che]

How wonderful. A thread to belittle and mentally entangle those who don't have an impressive education. Asking who has what in regards to degrees and scholarships won't help you on your path.

But you aren't successful unless you have a degree in something, Sean. You're such a bum, why don't you get off your ass?!

[Michael Swayne]

But you aren't successful unless you have a degree in something,

I have to disagree with this. I used to believe that getting a higher education was the only way to become successful, but it isn't. Success is not defined by how much money you make, or by how many letters appear after your name. At least that is my opinion. For me, success is determined by how much you enjoy the work you do, and how well you perform whatever it is you do.

Nowadays, you see more and more people without degrees becoming "successful", and more degree holders work in the fry line at fast food places. Those without degrees use their real life experiences to their advantage and outperform those with degrees.

So, no, you do not need a degree in order to be successful. It can help sometimes, but not a necessity. And this is coming from someone who was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" and graduated salutatorian of his class.

[che]

And this is coming from someone who was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" and graduated salutatorian of his class.

And also from "most helpful 2011", so you know its a conspiracy!

[Halie]

In my opinion success is determined by how happy you are, not how much money you make. I'd much rather be living in a shitty flat doing a job I love that doesn't pay well than something I don't enjoy that pays really well. And if you can find a job that you both love and pays well then you are one lucky bastard.

I finished high school last year, I got 11 GCSEs out of it, I'm in college/sixth form but I don't have a major, I think it's a bit different here in the UK. I'm hoping to study either Art or Performing Arts in University if I go, but I'm not completely sure yet.

[Yoko]

Hahaha, degrees are necessary for management positions. If your happy with a low level job, by all means, stick with it. I'm not. That said, some people can't afford to be in college or university. Having a college diploma doesn't mean you're inferior either. Many lower management jobs do accept just a college diploma, but if you're looking for upper management they requite you have at least a degree or a masters. That's now it is. It doesn't mean you're smart, but it doesn't mean your stupid either. If you have the money and the time to get these things, by all means GET THEM!!!!

That said, I'll answer these questions.

I am in my third year college. In order to be where I am, I needed to have graduate high school. That's a given really. My major is Aviation Management. I do not have a degree yet, but if I play my cards right, I can turn my diploma into a degree by pure magic and go for my masters and have it in my hands in about a year or two. The only extra cost to me will be the two years of university instead of four. That is insane. Yay for articulation agreements.

Now, since it is clear that some people can't afford extra education, don't be discouraged. There are plenty of jobs out there for you. However, you might not be happy with them until you get further education.

Or you can be purely magical like che

[Mystyrion]

In my opinion success is determined by how happy you are, not how much money you make.

I like this, but I'd phrase it differently.
"My happiness is not determined by how successful I am"

I have no aspirations to be rich or famous. I have no aspirations to work a high paying job that I don't like. I don't exactly love my job, nor the union that comes with it, but I do enjoy the people I work with, and I enjoy the pay. It fits me nicely, its lets me live my life. It lets me afford all the fancy electronics I want and make my car, rent, and phone bills.

That being said I do have aspirations to move up in the world, I will go to college in the next few years and get either a general or choose a field to go into. Just not yet.

[Pete]

I view success as just that. I don't see someone who sits around, on unemployment, playing video games all day, but is happy as a pig in shit, as successful. It's all a matter of perspective, and how high you're willing to set the bar for yourself.

Personally, I don't think that I can say my life has been successful until I've accomplished all that I've set out to accomplish. Have I been successful in doing some things in my life? Absolutely, but that doesn't mean I consider myself successful per se.

And to answer the questions, I've graduated a top state school with a degree in English... boy do I regret that one. It's like a degree in everything and nothing at the same time. I'm kicking the idea around of going back for a masters, but that's dependent on how everything else pans out.

[Alpha]

I'm in my fourth and final year of a bachelor degree in science, majoring in geography and public policy. I graduated at the top of my class in college (high school) and got a partial scholarship to uni (everything else is interest-free debt).

Next year I plan to do a masters, which will take two years. I'm already working part time in a job that requires my degree, and I'm considering working full time and doing my masters part-time around work.



A university education does not mean you are smart, just as not having one does not mean you are stupid. I sincerely hope no one is that shallow. But it does offer certain skills that are difficult to pick up elsewhere. There's no way anyone could do what I do without being taught what I know. Just as I can't fly a plane. A degree also proves your ability to think critically, independently and to time-manage.

In a tight job market, degrees are good at differentiating you from others. But they are not a measure of someone's worth, and there is more to tertiary education than becoming (more) employable.

[seanb]

I am lucky to be receiving a really good education, I just don't wish to slap it around off peoples faces like a big floppy phallus recovering from an erection