...on Higher Education and Careers

[Desdinova]

I normally don't run across much on the net that is really insightful or makes a good point, but when I do it stands right out. Here's a post from someone's live journal which I thought was excellent. Believe it or not, it's written by a woman.

Link Here

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I don't usually make public posts, but I think this needs saying. The world needs to hear it.

I guess I've been thinking about this a lot lately because of the advertisements that come out at this time of the year, but it's something that I've believed in more and more over the past months, and something I believed when I was younger.

If you are going to college because it is expected of you, because you've been told you'll make more money, or because you want to impress people, then don't go. Never do ANYTHING for societal approval or money. Go if you dreams include a career that requires it, or because you want to try it out. Even if you don't particularly dislike the idea, my point still stands. If you're even half-hearted about something, then don't waste time you could be spending doing something meaningful to you. Outside of sustaining yourself in some way, there is nothing in this world that you should have to do if you don't want to.

The same thing goes for older people choosing careers. Don't do anything just because it pays better or it'll impress people more. Do something you like, or something you tolerate that keeps you fed and housed.

My main point: don't waste your time on things just because society favors one thing over another (usually, very unfairly). Make no mistake, I don't look down on people who choose to go to college, it's just that I don't favor them. What I don't like is when people do things because it is expected of them. Please, don't do that to yourselves. Your time, youth, and minds are so precious. Don't squander them doing things that others desire. Your time and energy should go into doing things that are meaningful to YOU. Stop worrying about impressing others and start living. You are alive, and life is the time to think, feel, and question. We are given 80 years, give or take a few decades, to explore and experience this world, so don't waste any of them impressing people. What do you want to do? Do you want to spend a while traveling and doing odd jobs? Do you want to be a scientist who discovers things about the world? Do you want to write a book? Raise a family? See the world? Live a relaxed life? It's all up to you, and your life is about what YOU want to do. Try everything you can and odds are, you'll eventually get it right. If something doesn't work, it's never too late to change. Unless you hesitate.

Don't live by the expectations of others. Follow your instincts and you'll be happy.

And now, a fitting quote from Girlfriend in a Coma by Douglas Coupland, one of my favorite books:

"If you're not spending every waking moment of your life radically rethinking the nature of the world, if you're not plotting every moment boiling the carcass of the old order, then you're wasting your day."

 

[ssj4halo]

I can understand what her message means but not going to college sounds really dumb(as a choice). When you go to college you meet all sorts of new people, personalities..You can join new clubs, take classes that really intrigue your mind...expand your mind. You can even go to a college that suits you...cullinary school...fashion school. my policy is usually don't judge something unless you gave it a try. If you can tell me whole heartedly that this isnt what you like(college), then well..touche

 

[macallik]

^^ I agree with the previous poster. I mean, I'm all for rebelling against the system but to assume that higher education is part of the problem is a faux pas in my opinion.

The advice I would give would be to take courses that interest you and not the ones that will likely lead to a huge paycheck at the end of your degree.


Getting a degree does not prove you are smarter than someone else with a degree but it does prove that you can assimilate into society's wants, which is what a employer wants to see. Recently on CNN it said that the average unemployment rate for people with college degrees countrywide was a meager 4%. The workforce in America has shifted from manual labour towards more cognitive requirements while manual labour is outsoured for cheap blah blah blah, you probably already know this.

Fact is, a degree can be as simple as a Plan B for some, but it is there. Hedge your bets just in case.

 

[Phenomenal One]

for me i just didnt want to go.

no going against the system.
no rebelling.

i have many relatives who when to college, finished college and didnt do anything after that. (i did not base my decision on this)

typical conversation about relatives
*so & so has a degree in xyz, they could find a job doing xyz"

the problem for me was that when people find out some of the decisions i had made (college, life etc),
i was constantly grilled for answers on why i choose this or that.
it was almost like they had a right to know.

these days people have to "fill in the blanks" because i don't explain much of why i do xyz anymore.

i want to become a professional wrestling so
i may go to an local college and go to a wrestling school on the side.

 

[ketostix]

This woman's blog is good advice in general but it's nothing new. I've read/heard this line of reasoning numerous times.

Anytime I see a female give advise, I always find it hypocritical and not very relevant to males. When she says things like:

Never do ANYTHING for societal approval or money.

That's easy for a woman to say because women aren't judged on money and career like men are. And what does society disapprove women doing that they need societal approval? Society approves of anything and everything women do. Women can say all the right and good sounding things but it's usually hypocritical. I bet this same woman judges men based on their job and income despite what she says. A woman can just do whatever she feels she wants or should do and will get approval and have someone to fall back on. That's not true for males.