Is college really worth it?

Question

I am a freshman in college. And I am struggling immensely. I am also working full time as a waitress at Frisch's. I HATE school but I LOVE work.

I am considering three options.
One is to quit school and just work full time and be happy.
Another is to stay here at school and work.
And the third is to transfer to a commmunity college and get an associate's degree in Restaurant Management and still work full time at Frisch's.

I'm so confused as to what I should do! I don't want to let anyone down.

Any advice?

Answer 1

First, know yourself and be true to yourself. Life is too short to waste any time being miserable trying to please others. If you are true to yourself and enjoy life, you will be in a much better position to do something for others.

Realize the fact that most jobs in the US do not REQUIRE a college degree, though many employers prefer to hire people with college degrees over high school grads (mainly because there is an over supply of people with college degrees). The fact is most new jobs being created are not career path jobs, don't pay benefits, and retirement plans are changing drastically to the point that people have to do this on their own if they expect to retire in any condition that resembles what past generations called retirement.

So, to figure out what you really like to do (and it seems you already do, but do this "exercise" anyway). Pretend you won the world's biggest lottery and would never ever have to work or worry about money forever. If that were true, ask yourself what you would do to keep from becoming bored each day. (write the list on a sheet of paper...but make 3 columns, and make your list in the left column. Then fold up the paper and put it away for a few days.

A few days later, take out the list and look at each item carefully. For each thing you like to do, try to figure out A) what is so intellectually/mentally exciting about it for you? (and put those things in the center column)....and then B) what physical activity is associated with the things you like to do (and list those things in the right column).

When you are done, you have an inventory of the things you like to do, and why you like to do them (knowledge and skills). Now the grand prize is to figure out what job exists in the world that deals with your areas of interest that requires the knowledge and skills you either have or are interested in....so in essence, you want to find a job that pays you do to do what you would normally want to do anyway.

For lists of various jobs and qualifications, try visiting
http://www.acinet.org/acinet/
http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/home.htm

Now, since you have looked at restaurant management, get the job description for that position. Then get a copy of the US Dept of Labor SCANS lists (a series of 4 checklists for job readiness) and 1) do a personal inventory for yourself and 2) an inventory of the job description for a restaurant manager. A good match indicates you are suitable for this job. A not so good match shows what areas you need to improve upon in order to be suited for this job. This helps you to clearly see what additional training / education you need. You can get a free copy of the checklists at http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/public/clubextra.html?nclubid=893282700&nid=268367529

The job description will also give you insight to the level of education that you need. Without knowing the detailed qualifications, my gut reaction is community college may be a good option for you at this time. If you need a BA/BS, you can transfer later. (Remember, education is a life long process. It doesn't end with a diploma. Look at all the people with degrees and jobs...and look at all the training they go to for their current job in order to keep the job.)

Community college is a good direction if you want to get practical training for a specific job---and the costs are lower than a university, and it takes less time. University is not as suitable as they tend to be more academic / theoretical. Consider the fact that most people with college degrees who are employed today are NOT working the area of their college major. Many are not happy with their job as they feel frustrated at being underemployed and certainly don't think they are earning as much as they should for all they invested in their education.

Talk with your current employer (manager or better yet the Human Resources/personnel dept) and find out what kind of education plan they have. Some employers subsidize education for employees if the education improves the ability of the worker's performance on the job or benefits the company. Some require you to work for a certain number of years after the schooling, but many don't.

Look for possible tax advantages (visit http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/ ) Here is another use for your SCANS inventory, but this time do an inventory for your current job description. If the courses you take improve your current job and do not help you meet the minimum qualifications for the job, they may be tax deductible. You have a strong case if your personal SCANS inventory, job description, the course description, and a letter from your supervisor are consistent in showing how the course improves your current job. Check with your tax accountant/adviser to be sure how the law applies to you.

If you are able to work and complete your studies, there are 2 key advantages you have over traditional students: 1) when you graduate, you have a job and they need to find one; and 2) you have and education AND experience while they have only an education...and they have to face the killer job interview question of "And what kind of relevant work experience do you have?"

In the end, when all of this is past, consider the kinds of memories you want to have from life....happy ones or not so happy ones. I remember a story about an elephant who was an artist. He wanted to paint a picture that everyone would enjoy. So he asked all his friends what they thought should be in a good painting. After gathering all their ideas and opinions, he set out to paint a picture that included all of their ideas. He held a party to show the new painting to his friends. They were all excited to see it. When he unveiled it, they gasped in horror....no one liked it. He tried so hard to please everyone, and in the end please no one. They all like to see their ideas in the painting, but didn't like the ideas of others.

I don't know anyone who got out of life alive. The choice is yours---to be happy, or to try to make others happy and risk being unhappy yourself and pleasing no one.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Answer 2

For the remainder of your life you will be separated from a segment of society by whether or not you have a degree. People with degrees feel more comfortable with others with degrees and vice versa. Your earning power also largely depends on the same. You are struggling with one of the most important decisions of your life. I suggest you finish the semester with a passing grade, then decide on staying where you are or community college. Community colleges are a good place to get the base courses completed. As far as the restaurant degree, forget it and move up your goals. That type of work is for people who want to work for little reward, plus the hours are terrible. Think of it this way. You may be a little unhappy for a few years now but it is very little compared with the years of unhappiness you will suffer for the rest of your life.

Answer 3

While I think that college really is worth it for me, that doesn't mean that college is the right solution for you. And know that, if you chose to leave school now (actually, leave at the end of the semester so you keep those grades and your financial aid doesn't get completely f-ed), that doesn't mean that you won't be able to return to school later on. Know, however, that going to school later on in life can be a *lot* more difficult than going now, before you have family and a lot of bills and etc.

Working full time and going to school full time is often a loosing battle. You really need to pick one priority - either work full time and go to school part time, or work part time and go to school full time. Otherwise, you end up doing neither thing well. And since you love the work, but hate the school... I do agree that a change is in order.

I like your idea of going to a community college and getting an AS in restaurant management. Then, if you chose to, you could go on for a bachelors at another school, perhaps in something related.

In fact, I wonder if you can do something similar at your current university? Do they offer a part time program? Do they offer something along the lines of hotel, restaurant and travel administration as a major? Perhaps you can meet your goal at your current university, and major in something job related? If not, then switching to that community college program sounds like a good idea.

At a minimum, I think you should change your major to restaurant management or something closely related. You may enjoy your classes a lot more if they have something to do with your business life.

You can make restaurant management a career - and a good one. My uncle managed restaurants for a living, and he loved it. It's demanding work. Another friend opened his own restaurant. So there are opportunities there. See if, at Frisch's, they'll let you take on more and different responsibilities as part of your job, so you gain exposure to as many aspects of the restaurant business as you can.

And do continue with your studies, full or part time, but change your major, and if that means that changing to the community college is necessary, then do so.

Answer 4

If you love restaurant work, then I think you have a great idea by getting the degree at your community college. If you're taking classes in something that relates to your work and is something that you love, then I guarantee it will not be as difficult for you to do.
Not everyone needs a four year degree, and not everyone needs to go to college, but I think you have a great idea there.

Answer 5

i think you should definetly go through with college...not a lot of good paying employers will hire without college degrees, i would ask you to consider options 2 or 3..but don't give up, once you finish college you're free to do whatever you want...and who knows, if you need to quit your job now, they may rehire you in the future even in a better position?

take this decision v. seriously, good luck and take care!

Answer 6

dont quit school plz !!! u can always wrk ! bt trust me once u complete yr schooling finding a job will b so much easier ! and den u wont even feel like ur letting sum1 down !

Answer 7

Plan your future by yourself.

If you make your parent happy but you're not, it's a bad thing to do. but do the opposite way is the same thing.

Nonetheless, whatever you do, education is a good thing for your future, do whatever you want, but don't leae your education.

Answer 8

yes it opens for doors and opportuniteis.
continue and you will be happy one day
also lots of people have no degree and get paid less.