Why go to college?

Question

I went to college I have my Associates in Business and my Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. So far they have done me no good what so ever. I make 11.50 an hour and can't get into a field that I am interested in. Sure I guess I could if I wanted sales, but I won't depend on commission for an income.

For all of those that believe that I am a depressed whiny fool, I am extremely happy and secure just bored with my job and looking for better. I think that if you must put me down you must be attempting to make yourselves feel better. Good luck for anything that you say to me is only take at face value. :)

Answer 1

A degree not only says you can start something and finish it, but your university should have also taught you networking skills and other skills that should put you in a position to earn a good income.

My question to you is what did you do while getting your degree that has put you above and beyond other applicants for the positions you are applying for? It all depends on what you do with your degree, not just having it. If you just went to class, did not socialize and look for opportunities for yourself, if you are not that type of person then yes - maybe college is not for you. But if you are willing to make the most out of the opportunities afforded to you then going to college could be the best thing that ever happened to you.

You need to seek out a new job if you are not happy with the one you have. Only you can use the drive that you have to get results and no amount of work anyone could do to help you will pan out if you don't give it a shot. Yes, there are plenty of people who are not nearly as educated as you who are doing better, but it's up to you to take the opportunity you have and make it work. Talk to people, socialize, network and see where that takes you.

If you are not interested in what you are doing and cannot find anything that interests you then change career tracks and find something radically new or find a way to make what you are doing more closely relate to what you think you want to do. You have the power, use it.

Answer 2

Sure, but how was college? Would you trade any of those experiences? A degree is not a guarantee of a job, it just means that your entering the field with a solid base of knowlege. It helps, but does not buy you a future. Don't be afraid to take a gig to get you by until you find what you're looking for. If sales and commission will pay the bills until that spot opens up in CSI Anchorage (or where ever), why not? Education doesn't stop at graduation, you might even pick up something useful! Cheer up, life is easier than it looks. You'll find what your looking for.

Answer 3

Why not become a cop? Isn't that what a Criminal Justice degree helps you become? Your pay would be at least $40,000 ++
Most of the time L.A. degrees are a waste. It's better to get a B.S. degree in Engineering or Accounting. Why not get an MBA? Pay would be at least $45,000 ++

Plus within the next 10 years a huge flood gate of Opportunities will open up because 75 million baby booms will be in there retirement stage. There will be many high paying jobs.

Answer 4

Just hang in there. I know exactly how you feel. I spent a considerable amount of time and money to get a BS in Microbiology, and for the first several years after I graduated I couldn't find any jobs worth a flip that payed more than $10 or $12 an hour...but after I payed my dues, and worked some of those not so great jobs (and got some priceless experience), I have been able to get a job that I love and that pays me very well. If you just hang in there and get some work experience (at least a year or more at one job) in your field, you can move to a better position and demand a decent salary. College is definately worth it, you just have to be patient at first.

Answer 5

At least you're making FAR above minimum wage. Can people who only have a highschool degree say that? Only if they work at the post office, or are celebrities, s]pro athletes.

VERY few jobs offer good pay unless you're college educated.

With minimum wage being $5.15, $11.50 is not bad at all. Maybe it don't seem much because of the lifestyle you live.

Someday you'll get the job you want, hang in there, but jobs are hard to get these days, but don't let that stop you from trying.

Answer 6

Just think of all that expereince you could have if you skipped college all together!

With a high school diploma you could four years experience in flipping burgers, driving a school bus, being an underpaid secretary, and many more similar lucrative career paths!

(There is a little sarcasm here).

Seriously though. Do you really think it would be easier to find a job without a college degree? Stop complaining about what you have and start using it.

It's kind of like that new show "Windfall" I can't watch it because the entire premise of the show is "Oh, we all just became millionaires and our lives are horrible."

Answer 7

Why indeed?
The employment problem in the world is only going to get worse in the future, not better, this is because technology allows one person to do the job that used to take hundred people to do. So there is less and less need for people to work, so why bother to go to college?
Some may say they go to college to learn new things, but it is a very expensive way to learn stuff, I mean the Internet is so much cheaper and you can learn much more, much more quickly from the Internet. I think college is a waste of time, unless you think it`s a good way to meet people, but even that can be done better on the Internet.

Answer 8

I don't think you have to depend on commission for an income.
If I were you, I would choose something I'm really interested in - not necessarily a field - but something I really love (relationships, music, etc.) and figure out a way to make money with it.
Might sound complicated but it's not, really. TONS of people have done it. Without college degrees. Try it out (source)!

Answer 9

there is a saying that you don't use 90% of what you learned in college. However, college is a stepping stone to demonstrate to your potential employer that you have the ability to learn and work hard. Don't regret your college degree in criminal justice, but don't think it will land you the perfect job in criminal justice either. Think hard about what you'd be interested in doing for a long term career - even if its not related to your degree. Look for a job in that area and go for it! Passion builds your career in the long run, not your degree.

Answer 10

I would say that you need to find a field that you are interested in. Once you find your true passion in life, whatever it may be, you will find a way to get there.

Obviously, you have intelligence, perseverence, and you already know what you DO NOT want. Perhaps a visit to your college, and speaking to a career counselor, may help focus your efforts in finding your vocation.

Had you not gone to college, the doors that are open to you now (e.g., graduate school, law school, entry-level management positions) would be out of reach, or, at a minimum, several years away. Once you find what you want to do with your time, you will find that your college degrees will be of great help to you.

Good luck!