Do you regret not getting your bachelors degree?

Question

I quit school recently so I could spend more time with my wife.

I was working full time and going to school at night for 5 years.

I recently graduated a community college with an associates degree.

I am not planning to go back to school because my wife and I want to have a baby and I don’t want to be at school when I could be with my child.

People say I will regret it, but I really love my job and I think even if I got laid off or fired I could find another job that paid decent with my accounting experience.

I have a stable finance job with a well known company. There’s a lot of room for me to grow and make more money within the company.

Even if I had a degree I wouldn’t want to leave my job, and getting a degree really isn’t require for me to move up in the company.

Do you regret not getting a degree? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Well into my 20's and still working on it. Education is lifelong.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I'm well, older than you! But I had my Associates too; left because I had a great job that only people with Bachelors Degrees get, I ws making big money and couldn't see the sense of paying for more school when I was making that money. My philosophy served me well my whole life until 2 years ago when I was Regional VP of Customer support of the largest phone company and they laid off our whole division 550 jobs-gone! I really didn't think much of it - except now you HAVE to have a BA to get anywhere it seems. It would seem to me that 22 years experience would mean more to people then two extra years of college. But I took it too literally, when they ask for a BA candidate they're looking for someone who was committed at that young age and stuck to something and claimed the prize. The thought is that shows a different work ethic then someone who drops out because of a better job. I used to be a reverse degree snob - like "you guys paid for all that extra schooling and I'm everyone's boss!" (Said internally, of course!) SO I think if I could do it again I would, expecially when your young and you still have the learning skills and scholastic aptitude intact.

Answer 3

YES!!!!!!!! I ABSOLUTELY REGRET NOT GETTING A DEGREE!!!
I have 122 hours toward a degree but never finished because of money and family obligations. I should have stuck with it. Now I'm in a job where I earn very little and there is no chance for advancement. All the other jobs around here are the same. I tell anyone that asks (especially late teens) to be sure they stay in school. i wish someone would have told me I would regret it 19 years ago. If only I could go back in time.....

Answer 4

My mother studied at the (Chartered) Institute of Personnel Development for a time when I was a kid, but because she failed her first few units of her second year, she quit. Although she is still a licentate, she regrets getting her full degree. It has held her back for so many desirable positions in Human Resources and payroll. She encouraged me to finish my degree (even though I hated it with a burning passion!) because of her giving up.

I am also kind of mad at my boyfriend for quitting his dyslexia classes. He says that he's too old, found the classes too hard, and finds it much more simple to struggle along the way he is. I don't like to really help him that much because a) I'm not sure how to and b) if I do, I feel like I'm interfering.

On the flipside, sometimes I regret seeing my degree through, because now I want to see my degree through, getting a simple job in the area I'm at is almost impossible, because the degree is not seen as an asset, rather a liability, as I feel over-qualified. The only decent jobs are in the cities, and I don't really want to go back to London. I know it's silly, but that's just me.

Answer 5

Well, it depends on who do you want to be and where want to go in your life.

As a normal person, I would say having an A.A degree and a stable job in your field of study is just wonderful. I am glad that you have experience (which you are kind of safe in this economy.) I know many people focus on education first and then struggle finding a job (in manufacturing accounting section which requires many years experience.)

Having a B.A. is for expanding your knowledge and deepening your technical skills. If you think of moving up in the company, show other that you have not only your positive attitude and interesting personality but also your desire to learn and explore new things.

However, yours might be another case. Only you can know where you are in the company and how they need you wherever you go. I believe that knowledge is not limited in school education but in your eagerness to know more and more -- there is many way to learn and practice if you want to do so.

Taking one class a semester would help you focus on your work, your study, and your family. Some university offer one night class a week. You still have plenty of time to take care for your loved one, don't you? Your understanding spouse would support it if that what you want to earn, especially when you know your responsibility and when you love her that much.

(To me, I would love that my husband and I learn together. When I get pregnant, I would study for our child too. Yep, choose the topic or subject you all enjoy.)

Anyway, you and your spouse should discuss this issue and then, make your own decision. Kindly listen to your inner soul. Only you know what bring you happiness. Don't bother to care of what other people say if you already make your mind with your reasons.

Be happy, my friend!!

Answer 6

I finally finished mine, and I'd say you'd be better off getting your Bachelor's degree done and out of the way. Yes, I went evenings after 40+ hours a week at work for longer than you have, and it sucks, but:

A) Your company will can you without giving it a second thought.

B) Your college credits will expire after 3-5 years and if you go back you'll have to start over.

C) Books, college and everything will be more expensive later.

D) A young child/toddler won't remember your absence like an older child will.

Sorry to rain on your parade! =(

Answer 7

I'm working at my bachelors degree, and I would regret not finishing it because I have no general skills right now, and I need my degree to get into my job field. Also, I lack work experience in a decent paying field.
However, one of my best friends decided he didnt want to go to college at all, and I tried to talk him out of it. He ended up working at a computer shop, then at a college doing their IT work, and now he works as a partner at a computer programming company.
He's 21 and has enough money to buy a 600,000 dollar house. We were talking last weekend, and I told him I eat my words. College was unnecessary for him, because he did well on his own, he had skills that no college could teach him or help with (he's the best computer designer/builder I have ever met.)

Answer 8

i think anyone would regret not gettin smarter.. and not being able to open up their opportunities for a lot of things.. u can give ur child whatever he wants... and just because ull be going to school that doesnt mean that u wont be able to spend time with ur child... its all just the way u look at things.. maybe life will be hectic but the pay offs are gr8 ... so why not? i duuno where u stay but where i stay a graduated degree is a minimum requirement for just about any good paying job in my country...anyway its ur perspective but in my opinion u gotta study.

Answer 9

I got my associated degree and I somestimes regret even getting that because I still have a hard time finding a job (graduated in 98) and I still have to pay the loans!!!! Enjoy your family money isn't everything.

Answer 10

I have mine and it really hasn't opened any doors for me (yet - hopefully!) Plus there are many accounting programs for a bachelor's degree that you can do entirely online. Plus your company may pay for some of that.

Answer 11

Yes, but I will go back one day once my boyfriend and I are married and we aren't each paying house notes and all that separtely, that way the money I make can pay for my classes, cause then we won't qualify.