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https://hbr.org/2010/07/higher-education-is-highly-ove
I worked with teenagers for many years. Some ordinary kids, Sea Scouts. Then I worked with kids at risk, incarcerated in juvenile detention centers. In every case, when asked, I counseled them that a diploma/degree would help them get a job, but they would earn their fortunes with their skills. I am living proof. Although I never practiced law (outside of courts martial) my law degree opened many doors. (A JD really is impressive to many) However, I never earned a cent with it. I earned my living with skills, a wide variety of them. I focused on learning new skills all the time. Writing (my school teachers swore I couldn't make a complete sentence and yet I somehow managed to be a successful copywriter and published author). Graphic design. Advertising and marketing campaigns. Computer programming. Computer application architecture. Computer systems administration. Computer systems architecture. I never studied any of these in schools and, to be perfectly fair, the best practitioners I met were all self taught and mentored by professionals (as was I).
I worked with teenagers for many years. Some ordinary kids, Sea Scouts. Then I worked with kids at risk, incarcerated in juvenile detention centers. In every case, when asked, I counseled them that a diploma/degree would help them get a job, but they would earn their fortunes with their skills. I am living proof. Although I never practiced law (outside of courts martial) my law degree opened many doors. (A JD really is impressive to many) However, I never earned a cent with it. I earned my living with skills, a wide variety of them. I focused on learning new skills all the time. Writing (my school teachers swore I couldn't make a complete sentence and yet I somehow managed to be a successful copywriter and published author). Graphic design. Advertising and marketing campaigns. Computer programming. Computer application architecture. Computer systems administration. Computer systems architecture. I never studied any of these in schools and, to be perfectly fair, the best practitioners I met were all self taught and mentored by professionals (as was I).
Employment
Education
Transition
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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Everything I know about computers, I learned from doing hands on. I only went to school just to show people that I had. Problem was, that in school I was correcting the instructors.
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PO2 Mark Saffell
There are some jobs I'd rather not leave to OJT. Like my daughters. She is a Biology Major, Pre-Dental. but honestly most jobs the time spent doing the job is worth more than the time in school.
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SN (Join to see)
PO2 Mark Saffell - I do agree that certain careers (i.e. medical, advanced science, etc.) really benifit from education. I honestly believe that education is beneficial to all, the problem is the cost. Secondary education costs in this country need to come down to a more manageable level. It is a shame that a young person that graduates from college, and had to pay for it with loans, is basically in debt for life. When you take into consideration the cost, lack of personalization, and the aloof attitudes of some professors, the cost does not warrant the experience gained vs OJT.
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SGT Kyle Johnson
PO2 Mark Saffell SN (Join to see) I also agree, there are professions that do require an education first. Plus many of these people also require on going education for their chosen field. Having an ongoing costs, that keeps being added to the original debt is crazy. More ways to off set the debt are needed. My Uncle was an eye surgeon, he completed his education and then interned with the Air Force during Vietnam. He not only gained valuable very fast experience, had his debt lowered by years of service.
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PO2 Mark Saffell
SN (Join to see) SGT Kyle Johnson Its worse than that. Once you have your BS the next 4 years of school are over double the cost as the first 4.
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Im a Quality Assurance Manager and many people have asked me what classes to take to make that a career. Truth is none really. Its a skill, not a college education at least for this job.
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CPT Jack Durish
Only recently universities began providing courses in statistics which is basic to quality assurance. The problem is that professors send their lives in school so they can teach in schools. They have no practical experience.
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PO2 Mark Saffell
I usually tell people to take the ASQ Certified Mechanical Inspector, or Auditor or the one that fits. Its continuing Education credits and a massive test but you get more out of that than you will from most schools.
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CPT Jack Durish Thank you for the write up. Added much more value to it than I could have. Cheers!
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