WTF IS WRONG WITH COLLEGE KIDS!

[purpleTJchick]

College is the snooze button in life

 

[Mr_DIY]

I dropped out of high school just before graduation (LOOOONG involved stupid youth story) and am making around 45k a year driving a truck locally. I'm happy and enjoy my job. I started 3 years ago in a rollback making $11.60 an hr.

college is great but it wasn't my route.

 

[foreman1063]

Its hard for college proffesors to teach any real world expierence b/c most of them have none, they went to shcool for 10 years to learn about "X subject" and now they teach it.
I had 2 teacher in college who actually made it in the real world and were succesful retired and taught for fun, we used no books and i learned the most in those classes. All the rest of my teachers either couldn't make it in the real world or never even tried they hid behind the podium telling me how to do it.
College in my opinion is a waste of time we should bring back aprenticeship or however you spell that. College education costs about a 100k these days for a bunch of punk ass alcholics to get taught socialism, and they think there going to come out out and take the world by the tail but instead they end up living in a van down by the river.

That's some funny but true shit right there.

 

[Jeff B]

I joined the carnival to learn how to drink

 

[Ron]

Re reading my post with a sober mind, I didn't come across as I intended.
Given the opportunity today, I would go to college all over again. My Maajor would probably change, but hind sight is 20/20.

But I can remember the shock on guys faces when Id be working in some miserable (shit plant maintenance anyone) conditions and they'd say where were you before here? College. Oh you drop out? Nope got my degree. Well why the hell you out here doing this? pays better and I get experience. I gained a lot of people's respect with those answers.

Including my first employee when I formed my company who is 25 years my senior. He still tells new people we hire about meeting me while pulling a float pump, knee deep in "process water" at a shit plant in South Charlotte.

As to the engineering debate, I will say this.
I have a good friend who works with me ( at my "day job") who has an EE degree. He was hired at 45k plus spiffs (make 50-52 1st year) as an inside salesman/estimator with us. 3 years later he is a system design manager and makes ~65k. And th recruiter who placed him here 3 years ago calls him at least 1x/ month with new job opportunities. Ive seen him recently turn down 2 80k/year jobs and he is 26...

I cant say every EE has that option available, but he is the only one I know and he certainly does.

All that said he busts his ass and does a good job, if he was a lazy ass none of that would be possible. In the end it is all up to the individual.

 

[Elliott]

I think the biggest problem is that a basic 4-year undergraduate degree does not open the doors that it once did. Now that more people are able to afford and get into college a masters or PhD is almost mandatory if you want to make figures like $75K and above.

 

[Ricky B]

I think the biggest problem is that a basic 4-year undergraduate degree does not open the doors that it once did. Now that more people are able to afford and get into college a masters or PhD is almost mandatory if you want to make figures like $75K and above.

I agree, I am about to graduate so I am going throu this right now, and I will say that in college they seem to overhype your "worth" so to speak. They really do make you think that you're "owed" something, to an extent, but yea it is kinda there. I know I've been told thing like see what they have to offer you, etc, etc. I think most people I know, and I am in Business Finance, but this seems to be a generic whenever I talk to anyone about it, presume to be making $40k outta college. Idk if thats right but thats what everyone seems to assume.


I tell you what my biggest shocker was a week or two ago my dad helped me figure out what my monthly living expenses would be . . . . . holy crap just to live, not actually make anything, just live is like just under $2500. Add 20% for taxes thats $3125 a month times 12 thats $37500 a year . . . . just to live, and not in a nice house or anything just in some random apartment that I'd have to have a roommate or two with.

I don't understand how all these people who make 10-15 $ an hour can afford to live

 

[CJ2YJ2TJ]

I tell you what my biggest shocker was a week or two ago my dad helped me figure out what my monthly living expenses would be . . . . . holy crap just to live, not actually make anything, just live is like just under $2500. Add 20% for taxes thats $3125 a month times 12 thats $37500 a year . . . . just to live, and not in a nice house or anything just in some random apartment that I'd have to have a roommate or two with.
I don't understand how all these people who make 10-15 $ an hour can afford to live

I don't know what your expenses are and they may be alot different from mine but I kinda doubt it. First year out I made about 30, lived in a decent part of raleigh, had 2 roomates in a 4 bedroom house, maintained and finished paying off my TJ, while affording to go out if I wanted to on weekends and taking small trips to see friends. Once you are totally on your own you will see you live well on a whole lot less than you think. You just gotta be smart and decide where you want to spend the cash.

 

[Dylan W.]

I don't understand how all these people who make 10-15 $ an hour can afford to live

In most cases, these folks are ''surviving''.
Alot of folks get married and have two incomes to work with.
Folks set budgets, and try to stick to them.
These folks are the salt of the earth.(imo)Real people with real problems, solutions, love and heartaches.Just like folks who make a lot more. They take a lot less for granted in most cases. So going out to a nice dinner at a nice steak house means a little more to them. I could go on and on about these folks. Although I make (most of the time) more than you mentioned, owning my own flooring business....I ''am'' these people, my family are ''these people''. But yeah, college and mo money would be better for most.

 

[bowtieman55]

In most cases, these folks are ''surviving''.
Alot of folks get married and have two incomes to work with.
Folks set budgets, and try to stick to them.
These folks are the salt of the earth.(imo)Real people with real problems, solutions, love and heartaches.Just like folks who make a lot more. They take a lot less for granted in most cases. So going out to a nice dinner at a nice steak house means a little more to them. I could go on and on about these folks. Although I make (most of the time) more than you mentioned, owning my own flooring business....I ''am'' these people, my family are ''these people''. But yeah, college and mo money would be better for most.

That's right...most of us (all these people who make 10-15 $ an hour) are just "surviving". There isn't any savings in the bank ar anything like that. I appreciate the way you said all that, Dylan

*Granted, I have a few more vehicles than I probably should

 

[Ricky B]

That's right...most of us (all these people who make 10-15 $ an hour) are just "surviving". There isn't any savings in the bank ar anything like that. I appreciate the way you said all that, Dylan
*Granted, I have a few more vehicles than I probably should

I guess but I mean we did the budget at almost a bare minimum, like I didn't add anything for entertainment, my jeep/truck nothing, that was just for bills, all though I did have 10% for tithe and 10% for savings a month, otherwise it was just food, gas, health insurance/prescriptions, car insurance, rent, utilities, monthly college loan payments (got about $37k worth of those ) and I'm sure a couple few things I don't have the list with me but that was basically it.

 

[Dylan W.]

I guess but I mean we did the budget at almost a bare minimum, like I didn't add anything for entertainment, my jeep/truck nothing, that was just for bills, all though I did have 10% for tithe and 10% for savings a month, otherwise it was just food, gas, health insurance/prescriptions, car insurance, rent, utilities, monthly college loan payments (got about $37k worth of those ) and I'm sure a couple few things I don't have the list with me but that was basically it.

The ''folks'' I spoke of usually dont have college loan payments to consider. I say ''usually'' that does'nt mean always.

 

[bowtieman55]

don't take this the wrong way, Rick, but some people just can't understand

 

[OnlyOneDR]

I graduated with an ME from NC State in May '02 with a job doing electrical field service for Eaton. I had to move to Houston, TX to get it. I think that is the key that a lot of college grads do not figure out right away. A LOT of people want to finish school and "stay at home" in whatever town they are in and get a good job. I find that is rarely the case. The most successful of my fellow college grads all moved to parts unknown to get jobs and we are doing fairly well. I put in almost 4 years "in the trenches" working ridiculous amounts of hours and trying to get a handle on things before I hit pay dirt and was able to transfer back to NC with a promotion. I stayed with the same company, which has limited me somewhat wtih regards to salary, but overall it has been worth it.

I keep my resume out on Monster and every couple of months I get hit with recruiters phone calls and e-mails. I read all of them and evaluate where my life is and nine times out of ten I rather stay put.

With regard to the ME comment: Those of my college friends that did find ME jobs had a heck of a time finding them and usually did not enjoy the first one they worked. I lucked out in that I ended up in a job that blends a little ME background with a lot of real-world electrical work and keeps me free of a desk four out of five days a week. I don't think that MEs are bad but if I was choosing a degree based on opportunity I think that right now kids might want to look elsewhere.

 

[maddog411]

I think colleges fill your heads with stats and average salarys and BS about how many jobs there will be in your field of study in the future. I was "supposed" to be able to get a job right out of college making 40-42k a year and there would be more jobs created in my field in the next 10 years than anything else. The only people I know who started out that well worked some kind of intership or project for a company and the company already know what they could do. I had to wait 9 months and start at 33k. The real world is more about who you know than anything. For the present generation having a college degree is about the same as saying you had a HS diploma 40 years ago....everyone has one now.

Oh, and JJraw, you need to refigure your expenses. I don't know what you figured for rent, but either plan on having a roommate so you don't pay $700-$800 a month rent, or else consider renting a house about 10 miles outside the city for like $500 a month. And don't go and get the biggest vehicle payment you can afford as soon as you get a job either.

 

[Ron]

You know, I think Earl may have nailed it with the last comment.
We (my wife and I) help run a FPU class and through it we often find ourselves playing quasi financial counselors to other couples, young and old. it is really eye opening to see the differences. Some families are in tears because they cant figure out how to keep the heat on, and some because they can not figure out how to make their mortgage payment that is $1900.
The pain is real in both cases and the hopelessness is the same.

I have been blessed by great diversity in my life. I grew in a horrible situation, the kind stories are written about that end with serial killer, but I am thankful for what I had, and for coming through it. I have a perception few can appreciate. I was legally emancipated at 15 and bought a home at 16 (a run down single wide, but my place) I paid my way through college with scholarships, grants and working (no loans) because that is what I thought guaranteed success. I came out and soon realized I had been fell sucker to the go to college work hard and always get rich illusion.

Today I live a very comfortable life, many do much better, many do much worse. But I have a full time job, and a business I run. Each could support me fully if the other was taken away. My wife stays home with our kids, because I never had parents and I make sure they do.

Ricky,
in your numbers you take 20% away before you even start.
A man making $15/hour now makes 12.
Generally speaking a $15/hour employee has no savings.
I believe your father to be fairly successful IIRC, he is probably trying to teach you a lesson. Play with numbers, how much are you paying towards student loans? Could you pay less? Should you? etc.

But some quick rough numbers.
Rent/Mortgage $900 (mine is less than this, but starting out you should be able to get here. may not be dream home but nice enough)
Food $250 (I budget my family of 4 of 600)
Power $150
Cable $100 (face it you are going to have it, sure its not a necessity)
Gas (for vehicle) $200
Phone (home/cell) $100
Insurance $150

At this point I am at $1850.
Now sure, add in a $500/month car payment and shit get tight. Add in $300 month in bar tabs and it hurts the numbers. But these are luxuries not everyone has. $2500? I mean thats pretty thick.

The average 2 income family makes $45k/year.
With your numbers you better make 60+...and you probably will, in a few years.
Then you can improve lifestyle, make higher loan payments etc.
but in case no one else has said it, WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD....$1,000 for Z71 Mantastic upgrades just got real tough.

Unless you move back home with Mom and Dad....

 

[raleighjeepguy]

I don't understand how all these people who make 10-15 $ an hour can afford to live

to be honest I don't know either haha. When my first son was born I was making 14 an hour. Put a roof over our heads, everyone ate, and my wife stayed home with my son. I did however work 60 hours a week. I now make around 60k and my wife works. This was only a 2 year span and honestly I don't ever seem to have any more money haha. I worked 5 years or so in the electrical field and went into an office enviroment for the last 2 or so doing design work since my degree was supposed to be in that area. If I didn't have the field time I'd have no idea wtf I was doing and wouldnt have the job. I never got my degree due to having to work alot of hours to put food on the table and to be honest I might just finish for my kids. I'd hate to preach to my kids about education and be a hypocrite b/c I didn't finish what I started. The thought of making 75 out of college never was in my head though and it just seems like these kids have never had real jobs to base a real persons salary off of. Baffles me how someone who hasn't ever "worked for a living" can be asking for so much money. Colleges should have a class called "broke as sh!t and struggling to pay the bills 101". [/rant]

 

[RatLabGuy]

I guess but I mean we did the budget at almost a bare minimum, like I didn't add anything for entertainment, my jeep/truck nothing, that was just for bills, all though I did have 10% for tithe and 10% for savings a month, otherwise it was just food, gas, health insurance/prescriptions, car insurance, rent, utilities, monthly college loan payments (got about $37k worth of those ) and I'm sure a couple few things I don't have the list with me but that was basically it.

Keep in mind, the reality is that most folks (esp the "just surviving" bunch we're discussing) don't put in 10% tithe, and sure as hell aren't setting aside 10% for savings. And, as mentioned, don't have college loan payments either.

 

[4x4fever]

only tip i have is dont knock any of the ladies up while in college. and then dont believe the girl you knocked up when she says " ill go back to work after i have the baby, i promise" really hard to support 3 people when in college.

 

[brokeass4runner]

I havn't really been given any "real" numbers to expect with a degree in Welding Engineering Technology. Any of you guys in the field know what the demand is right now?

I feel like I could live pretty decently off of what I make now as welder, but like many have said, I would have to work long weeks and occasional long weekends. Just not really the job that I want to peak at.

 

[rockcity]

So we had 2 kids interview for internships. I won't name what colleges they came from but they def were not the cream of the crop. They show up in blacked out suits to an interview for a construction summer internship in the field. They evidently get taken out as kind of a congrats and get to talking with our guys. Say they are expecting to make 75-80k first year out of school in construction. They get asked wtf they do that is so special and reply with having a college degree. Evidently the laughter scared them. Whoever is blowing smoke up these kids a$$ needs to be shot. My profs were always very honest with us about income, jobs, etc. Someone should be stomped for getting these kids all jacked up when they will prob be making 30k first year

OK, coming in kinda late, but...

the 4 year degree only gets you the opportunity for the interview, its how you present yourself in the interview that gets you the job...


I'd really love to know what school these guys came from, but from your comments, I'd bet its Carolina... (I really hope its not ECU or NC State...)

When I graduated from ECU, everything that was told to me about offers and $$$ were, IMO, low compared to the offers I received. I thought ECU did a great job at setting our expectations to where they need to be for the first couple of years out of college. Of course, there are some students that are way too self centered and feel that everything is owed to them and they should make more $$$ than the VP of the company. These are the guys that are still looking for any type of offer 6 months after they graduate and who bring the placement percentage down, every college has them...

Construction is where its at, especially industrial construction.

I spent the years working in the field and made some fantastic money, even more than I do now, but I had to work my ass off for it. I eventually went back to school and graduated in construction management. Not 100% sure what field you were interviewing the kids for, but them expecting $75K+ the first year is a little excessive however, not unrealistic. I had some offers that were within 10% of that my first year out (didn't take them.... don't ask), so some high expectations could be OK...

 

[rockcity]

I think the biggest problem is that a basic 4-year undergraduate degree does not open the doors that it once did. Now that more people are able to afford and get into college a masters or PhD is almost mandatory if you want to make figures like $75K and above.

so true

 

[RKBJR]

My opinion is that 4 year degrees are over rated. Having a 4 year degree can open doors for you though. Just because you have the degree doesn't mean a company is going to create a position for you. Having a degree isn't going to guarantee you a job.

I have a 4 year degree in Mechanical Engineering. I don't work as an engineer though. I do use some of what I learned in college with my job. I make more than all of the guys I graduated with that went into the engineering field.

My advice to someone trying to decide if they want to go to college is to go to a trade school or community college and learn a trade. They need to realize that not everyone is going to sit behind a desk and make $100k a year.

There are a lot of people with high school educations, or 2 year degrees making $100k and more. Most people don't know that. I see real life examples of this every day at work.

 

[raleighjeepguy]

I'd really love to know what school these guys came from, but from your comments, I'd bet its Carolina... (I really hope its not ECU or NC State...)

Unfortunately one was ECU. I was ashamed

only tip i have is dont knock any of the ladies up while in college. and then dont believe the girl you knocked up when she says " ill go back to work after i have the baby, i promise" really hard to support 3 people when in college.

Mine actually did go back to work lol...........like a year later

 

[rockcity]

Unfortunately one was ECU. I was ashamed

Me too. They don't teach those guys that crap. I've only been out for a little over a year and I know that program hasn't changed that much...
stupid young kids.

Problem with a lot of them is that they don't have much real-world experience. If you can find one thats worked in the industry before going to school, thats the best. I've seen guys there with much better grades than I while in school, but they had zero experience and didn't keep their first job for more than 6 months. I worked in the industry for about 4 years before going to school and feel that it has greatly helped me in my position now. I can't say enough about having some good field management experience before school.

If you really want a couple of good ECU CM majors, let me know, I know of quite a few that are graduating in May that are top notch with some good experience, also know some that are slack asses as well to stay away from...