A benefit of college education...

[BlueCross]

Something I just realized (because of  some recent non-UV related email): a college education makes you privy to some jokes that you wouldn't otherwise understand.

In fact... sometimes I think that may be the only benefit.

*takes off cyncial hat*

[Doombot]

I learned more outside of college. The only really valuable thing I learned in graphic design school was the concept of layer masks in Photoshop and ... uh... Jeez was that it? =|

I learned more about business from reading business books and running my own business than I ever did in college.

I got some minor knowledge but it wasn't worth the money.

I think author is correct in this article. A degree is just a ticket to compete.

The True Value of a College Degree · LifeReboot.com

Edit: I think some degrees are more valuable than others. For me... I just show my previous work and that's enough to get me graphic design work. None of my clients care what college I went to. Since I'll probably go fully into freelance then it becomes less valuable.

However for something like Microsoft tech or a doctor then a degree is more important.

[The SysMan]

I learnt that the university is lazy.
Does that count?

[BlueCross]

No.

[Brugdor]

a college education makes you privy to some jokes that you wouldn't otherwise understand.

But then couldn't that be said of just about any experience you had? For instance, being a cop probably helps you to get jokes about cops and criminals that you probably wouldn't understand if you weren't a cop. Being a gamer helps you understand jokes that only gamers would catch, etc.

[BlueCross]

a college education makes you privy to some jokes that you wouldn't otherwise understand.

But then couldn't that be said of just about any experience you had? For instance, being a cop probably helps you to get jokes about cops and criminals that you probably wouldn't understand if you weren't a cop. Being a gamer helps you understand jokes that only gamers would catch, etc.

Of course.  But it is a bit worrisome that the 'privy joke' experience may be the highlight of most college careers.  At least being a cop you can put some bad guys in jail.

Of course, if you spend fours in college, then it does keep you off the streets for four years.

I used to think college was really important.  Unfortunately, it still is important to a lot of employers.  Yet I know many people (and have hired some) who did not have a college degree (nor even an Associate degree) who performed much better than others with college degrees.

Of course, there are many professions (doctors, nurses, nuclear engineering, etc) where it is probably mandatory that certain courses be studied ("You cut HERE!").  But I'm thinking it is a bit overblown.

Really, it's like you need a college degree because otherwise you can't even apply for some jobs otherwise.

I have no fucking idea where I'm going with this.

*takes off cynical hat again*

[Doombot]

I used to think college was really important.  Unfortunately, it still is important to a lot of employers.  Yet I know many people (and have hired some) who did not have a college degree (nor even an Associate degree) who performed much better than others with college degrees.

...and with a adequate knowledge of Photoshop... who needs degrees?

I heard.

[Chucara]

I used to think college was really important.  Unfortunately, it still is important to a lot of employers.  Yet I know many people (and have hired some) who did not have a college degree (nor even an Associate degree) who performed much better than others with college degrees.

True, but college is an easier way of acquiring the proper knowledge if you have no idea where to start. If I had skipped college and went all autodidact on you, I'd probably have one hell of a hard time making programs that ran efficiently. Guess I see college as a form of standardization of knowledge. You won't learn anything at college that you couldn't learn yourself, but at least with a college degree, people will know that you at least attended relevant classes.*

* which does not guarantee that you understood them, but that's a whole other matter.

[Doombot]

I'd probably have one hell of a hard time making programs that ran efficiently. Guess I see college as a form of standardization of knowledge. You won't learn anything at college that you couldn't learn yourself, but at least with a college degree, people will know that you at least attended relevant classes.*

Perhaps one day we'll see them used on this site? *hopeful look*

[Solwyn]

I wouldn't recommend getting a conservatory degree (BM, MM, DMA) unless you want to teach. It takes a lot of time and work to get and they try to screw you (most classes are worth an hour of credit but you meet three to five hours a week), and you have to pass proficiencies in performance and theory and composition, etc etc. Then anyone who interviews you will laugh at you.

Hard.

I don't regret it, because I'll probably end up using it to get an MA and PhD in a related field later on down the road.

In any case, as to the OP by BC the CD, I think most people will tell you college is mainly about establishing a network. Frat buddies, other people who suffered through the same classes, degree, etc etc. In retrospect I really wish I'd have been more involved in that extra-curriculars that didn't involve my housing job (RA for three years). Although at our school we got free room & board so my college cost got cut in half.

[karategoldfish]

I absolutely think college was worth it. (I did just graduate though.)

My husband went to work straight out of high school and has been in TV for 5 years. He hated it, so he decided to get more into video/techie production, etc. He literally had been unemployed for 3 months, and he was looking for jobs locally while he was still employed. Now that we're married, he's decided to go back to school so that he can finally be competitive. Even though he's got the experience, without a degree or connections, he can't even get a job at Circuit City.

Anyway, I think I grew up a lot in college. It wasn't necessarily the knowledge that I retained from my classes that made me feel "smarter." I couldn't tell you much about John Maynard Keats or Machiavelli, but I learned how to focus, how to prioritize, and how to think. If I needed to learn about Machiavelli, it would be a much quicker process now than it would have been had I tried in high school. Yay for the liberal arts!

[Night Owl]

I first went to college at 35. Was going to do the teaching program and be a teacher.

Went full time to the local community college (while running my business.) Got my AA degree (2 yrs. 3.9 gpa) I moved on to a 4 year school, but biz became too busy, and I hated the 4 year school I had to transfer to anyway (because they catered to kids... as a new student, I actually had to attend a seminar on the dangers of drugs, drinking, and sex and such. They also told us things like "now that you're out of your parent's house, you should do your laundry every week". They didn't care that I was 37, was married, and owned a home with a washing machine...)

I *hate* red tape like this, and figured the entire school structure is full of mindless non-decision making drones who can't say "yea, you don't need to attend" for fear of the boss yelling at them. Besides, biz was good, so I left (I'd have gotten fired as a teacher anyway the minute I explained to little Johnny's mother that little Johnny is a fucking moron, and that's why he's failing.)

But I'm really happy I did the two years. Made me a better person.