I am trying to justify to my little brother that going to college is good for him (financial-wise) please help

Question

Beside it is a better overall experience such as dorm life, independence and such, I am trying to justify to my little brother that you should work hard and get some good grades in high school so you can go to college so you can get a decent job, however, he had a good point too that why spend 4 extra years in college while I can get some vocational certification (e.g. elevator technicans, blue print drafting operators, nurses etc..) and make just as much and sometime even more. And he is right, these vocational jobs do make $25 and up per hr... What do you guys think?

Answer 1

i actually agree with him... college isnt for everyone.. he'll make good money, and not incurr debt

Answer 2

It all depends on what your brother's interests are. He should also consider what he has to fall back on should he end up not able to work at his chosen job.
I started college as a music major. I wanted to be a singer and thought that I could fall back on teaching music. I ended up going to school for Library Science and am now getting a certification to teach K-12. Through all this I learned many skills that apply to many jobs. I worked as a waitress, hostess, wedding singer, teacher, Stage Manager, Prop Mistress, Librarian, computer tech, and tutor to name a few. I have learned alot socially through college too. Also, I started as an average student comming out of high school. yet every year my grades improved throught college. When I recieved my Masters I had a 3.8 GPA. College is more than classes, think of all the extra curricular things. Though the choir in college I have gotten to travel. Mostly to New York City and sing many places including Carnegie Hall! See if you can find things your brother would find interesting outside of classes. College may be expensive but it is well worth it overall. It just gives you the choices to do what you want. You never know where the adventure will take you.

Answer 3

You are both right. It really depends on what your major is. I know college grads who aren't earning half as much as their friends who didn't go to college and found jobs with UPS, Fedex, utility companies, construction etc... or other blue collar jobs. For the experience and a better chance ant a good job, I would say go to college, but if he has a plan already, such as a vocational career, then I say let him do it. I have a cousin who earns more than me with my MS degree installing Central Air units for houses.

Those million dollar lifetime answers are only statistics, not case to case reality.

Answer 4

Overall those with a college degree earn a million dollars more over a lifetime then those with only a high school education. Plus the social aspect of college, and the experience is well worth the 4 extra years

Answer 5

While the vocational training isn't quite as long as a college, it does involve some time and effort. And if you do awful in high school, then chances are you won't have the know-how or mind-set to succeed in vocational training either. It's all about attitude my friend. If you want to succeed, you gotta be able to do the deed. Deadbeats need not apply.

Answer 6

He needs to do what he wants for his life. It is important to have goals and a plan to execute the goals. But weather or not to go to college is a personal decision. I have a masters degree and my hubby makes more than 2x as I do with his 2 year community college degree. So its really about picking a career that pays and he would be interested in and then finding out what it takes to be in that field and then doing that. It may or may not involve a 4 year college education. There are many parts of college life, like you said that helps develop a person (maturity, socially,etc) but then again I know many people who failed out because of these aspects and/or lack of interest to be in a stay at college situation. This he needs to decide for himself though!

Answer 7

It is a well-known fact that people with college degrees make over a million dollars more than high school graduates over their lifetime. Plus, college is a fun learning and growing experience (not just book learning!) that opens up whole new worlds and opportunities that aren't generally presented to someone who just gets a "job". Does he really want to be an elevator tech? (I am NOT knocking elevator techs, just asking if this is his main goal in life).

Answer 8

Yes trained craftsmen make up to $30 an hour and in union shops even more. Go on the net and look for sites that will give you average salaries for different occupations. A little objective knowledge can go a long way.

Answer 9

being a teacher in a polytechnic college, i would like to point out that while finishing a degree in a university may offer good opportunities at work, some people are just not cut for it. They may be more adept at technical courses, like automotive repair, refrigeration,electrical engineering technoly,civil engineering technology, or even fashion and apparel tehnology, to name a few. While these are short term courses, they also offer excellent opportunities to earn good money and a chance to put up your own shop. Let your brother explore his own strength and be there to support him. He is lucky to have a concerned sister like you.

Answer 10

I'm having a similiar problem with my step daughter. Only in her case she doesn't even want to finish high school. I can't seem to make her understand that she will pretty much ruin her life financially if she doesn't get an education. Kids and teens don't seem to understand that without and education, getting a job in this day and age is ridiculously hard. Check this site out, maybe it'll help.

http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/thinkcollege/welcome/edlite-main.html

Answer 11

Because, over a life time, a high school graduate will earn over twice as much as someone who didn't graduate from high school. A college graduate, over a life time will earn more than three times as much as a high school graduate.