$17,935 in student loans and I don't have a degree

[qwerty4]

Experience is always better then a degree.

 

But I would still finish the degree at UOP and find a place that wont discriminate your schooling and get your foot in the door to get that experience that really means something.

 

I do not have a degree, but I have ton a college classes under my belt. All technical stuff. Didn't think a degree was necessary for me.

As others, and yourself, have stated, a degree is key for many fields. Your situation is unusual, in that your company "looked the other way," but a degree is absolutely required for many fields, if for no other reason to get a foot in the door. Your experience would likely be different at another company or if you attempted to change jobs nor can an individual be licensed as a Professional Engineer without a 4 year degree. (In short, your example is generally not duplicatable by others).

 

I completely agree, however, that nothing is a better teacher than on the job experience, provided one has enough educational background to understand the concepts. That being said, there are plenty of professions (e.g., medicine, nursing, law, engineering, CPA, etc.) that 100% require a degree or certification. There IS a disturbing trend that college is used as delayed development with no consideration of the costs, future career, or if earning potential justifies the expenditure. On average, does compensation increase with increasing education? You bet. Should more individuals consider if a degree is needed given an individual's career goals? Yes again.

[hegemony]

Experience is always better then a degree.

 

But I would still finish the degree at UOP and find a place that wont discriminate your schooling and get your foot in the door to get that experience that really means something.

 

I do not have a degree, but I have ton a college classes under my belt. All technical stuff. Didn't think a degree was necessary for me.

As others, and yourself, have stated, a degree is key for many fields. Your situation is unusual, in that your company "looked the other way," but a degree is absolutely required for many fields, if for no other reason to get a foot in the door. Your experience would likely be different at another company or if you attempted to change jobs nor can an individual be licensed as a Professional Engineer without a 4 year degree. (In short, your example is generally not duplicatable by others).

 

I completely agree, however, that nothing is a better teacher than on the job experience, provided one has enough educational background to understand the concepts. That being said, there are plenty of professions (e.g., medicine, nursing, law, engineering, CPA, etc.) that 100% require a degree or certification. There IS a disturbing trend that college is used as delayed development with no consideration of the costs, future career, or if earning potential justifies the expenditure. On average, does compensation increase with increasing education? You bet. Should more individuals consider if a degree is needed given an individual's career goals? Yes again.

 

+1,000

 

to even apply in my field you need a specific terminal degree. also, for some company's hiring people with specific degrees is important for their due diligence.

 

that said, experience matters too.

 

 

One colleague at another university lists the fact he worked construction for 12 years before going to graduate school on his "c.v." under employment history. It makes me laugh and I love that he lists it right along with his teaching jobs.

[eelb]

With today's economy, and the increasing degradation of the value of a college degree, student loans have become the equivalent of borrowing money to buy a lottery ticket. Unless you get a professional certification, in an in demand career field, it's a big roll of the dice. That they can't, under most circumstances be discharged in BK, makes them an even worse bet.

[qwerty4]

With today's economy, and the increasing degradation of the value of a college degree, student loans have become the equivalent of borrowing money to buy a lottery ticket. Unless you get a professional certification, in an in demand career field, it's a big roll of the dice. That they can't, under most circumstances be discharged in BK, makes them an even worse bet.

I agree in part that education expenses are up, and it is absurd to not consider future earning potential of a degree against education costs. I cringe at every article or blog I read that bemoans having huge student loan debt with a worthless degree. That being said, there are plenty of degrees, available from reasonably priced schools, that offer excellent long term compensation potential. Have you looked at the starting salaries of petroleum engineers? Engineering in general is one field, with many affordable options, that offers relatively easy 100k+ mid career earning potential.

 

I think we are all saying that individuals should look at their REALISTIC career goals and abilities and make a smart, financially sensible decision.

[hegemony]

student loans have become the equivalent of borrowing money to buy a lottery ticket.

 

 

hyperbole does not become you.

[Stockstar]

student loans have become the equivalent of borrowing money to buy a lottery ticket.

 

 

Hmmmm, so my wife wasn't too far off in her original statement. I think the OP has left the building

[Home4Me2012]

Unfortunately, there is no way of getting out of a student loan payment. The wife and I are still curious to hear why the OP took out so much money .

The wife finshed her 4yr degree and 2 certs for less than $10k

 

 

Sorry for the late reply. I had no idea this thread was still active.

 

My total cost for school (just went through and added up all the class fees and the material fees you get with each class) and it comes to $9187.62. So that was about $8,000 in loans that we did not need for school. That money was used for expenses we needed because we were low on general funds. I know I purchased a new laptop (cost about $1,100), so that was for school. The rest of the money was groceries, gas, care packages to my husband while deployed, clothes for the kids, school supply for the kids.

 

Yes, it was stupid and we treat money differently now than we did before. We now having savings and budget for things like kids clothes and school supplies.

 

My original post wasn't really about advice, it was more of a vent post on my part. Knowing that about 90% of my debt is student loan debt. I am not trying to get out of paying this debt. It is my debt and I will pay it.

 

M

[Stockstar]

It is my debt and I will pay it.

 

M

 

 

I like the attitude. Good luck on paying the loan off. Double up, Tripple up the payments