Is College Worth It? 20/20 ABC News

edeeZee · 05-22-2009, 02:23 AM

College isn't for everyone. Also, the rigor and competitiveness of the school you attend does make a difference. For example, an engineer from M.I.T. is more likely to get hired at NASA versus one from an obscure state school. The rigor of the program does make a difference.

Some people don't need college because they're content with where they are in life. Also, if your social upbringing i.e. how your family and friends conditioned you in social situations is good, then you'll do just fine in life. Some people aren't book-smart, however, they're very good readers of social situations and know how to play their cards right. In other words, they know how to play politics with those from all walks of life. Some college-educated people are pathetic squares when it comes to dealing with others. In many situations, it's not "what you know, but who you know"...and if that person who can pull strings you know likes you, then you'll get ahead.

But...college hones your mind, granted you take it seriously, because it conditions you to think critically, and to not be rash.

m4a1mustang · 05-22-2009, 07:20 AM

College is important but everyone doesn't need to go. There are also a lot of worthless degrees out there.

AK370Z · 05-22-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanningZ

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson: Richard Branson is the 236th richest person according to Forbes' 2008 list of billionaires, with an estimated net worth of approximately $4.4 billion. He dropped out of School at the age of 15. Branson has dyslexia and had poor academic performance as a student, but discovered his ability to connect with others.

Richard Branson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

He is an awesome guy. Isn't he planning on a first public shuttle to moon? (approx. $200K trip fare/person)?

AARC51 · 05-22-2009, 01:56 PM

Richard Branson is a total ******* by the way. I'd rather have my degree and my Z then be a complete douche-bag and have a yacht.

RDGR12 · 05-22-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AARC51

Richard Branson is a total ******* by the way. I'd rather have my degree and my Z then be a complete douche-bag and have a yacht.

That's a short-sighted comment about someone. It's either you read stuff about him, or you live with him under the same roof.

But I agree... college is not for everyone. And I think it's highly dependent on which career you're trying to pursue, as well. I wouldn't go to a surgeon who just made himself to be. You want to be sure that he did his years of study in a medical school with proper credentials before I can trust him opening me up for a surgery.

AARC51 · 05-22-2009, 02:42 PM

No, I just observed him act like a tool on Colbert's show and pretty much every other clip I've watched. Now, I'm willing to admit that maybe I just happened to catch the evil Branson 100% of the time that I've seen him - but that's enough for me to make my judgment.

shabarivas · 05-22-2009, 02:46 PM

I work at a pretty well known establishment - and do quite technical software work... now.. with that said... I absolutely did not learn jack **** at college that I could not pick up myself / already knew... but what I DID learn from college is - networking skills, dealing with nice people and douche bags all mixed at the same place (someone say work floor?) and independence - maybe not financial but personal. You develop essential people skills and a lot of very important things are made easy to absorb. However - for a select few people college is an utter waste and they pick up their skills just living life.

College at the end - is as valuable as you make it... it can be a complete waste (as it is mostly for a lot of ppl in the states) but it can also be the best 4-5 years of your life. I would honestly stay in college if someone paid for my expenses forever

ChrisSlicks · 05-22-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shabarivas

I would honestly stay in college if someone paid for my expenses forever

You actually used to be able to do that in Australia back in the 80's. The state run schools were free to attend, and they would continue to pay for you to go including giving you some living expenses (small amount) provided that each degree that you did was higher than the previous one. Now you have to pay towards tuition but it is still cheap.

And yes, Bill Gates is a Harvard drop-out, he received an honorary degree from them 2 years ago.

shabarivas · 05-22-2009, 05:07 PM

oh wow thats awesome!! schoolin for free... and yea... I mean some of the richest ppl in the world are also some of the luckiest.... its not like college got them their millions... all about right place at the perfect time..

05-22-2009, 07:20 AM	#17 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	College is important but everyone doesn't need to go. There are also a lot of worthless degrees out there. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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05-22-2009, 02:23 AM	#16 (permalink)
edeeZee Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: s. cali, los angeles Posts: 627 Drives: 09 370z plat 6 speed Rep Power: 266	College isn't for everyone. Also, the rigor and competitiveness of the school you attend does make a difference. For example, an engineer from M.I.T. is more likely to get hired at NASA versus one from an obscure state school. The rigor of the program does make a difference. Some people don't need college because they're content with where they are in life. Also, if your social upbringing i.e. how your family and friends conditioned you in social situations is good, then you'll do just fine in life. Some people aren't book-smart, however, they're very good readers of social situations and know how to play their cards right. In other words, they know how to play politics with those from all walks of life. Some college-educated people are pathetic squares when it comes to dealing with others. In many situations, it's not "what you know, but who you know"...and if that person who can pull strings you know likes you, then you'll get ahead. But...college hones your mind, granted you take it seriously, because it conditions you to think critically, and to not be rash.

05-22-2009, 01:56 PM	#19 (permalink)
AARC51 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Redmond Washington Posts: 195 Drives: Red 09 370z Sport Rep Power: 16	Richard Branson is a total ******* by the way. I'd rather have my degree and my Z then be a complete douche-bag and have a yacht.

05-22-2009, 02:42 PM	#21 (permalink)
AARC51 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Redmond Washington Posts: 195 Drives: Red 09 370z Sport Rep Power: 16	No, I just observed him act like a tool on Colbert's show and pretty much every other clip I've watched. Now, I'm willing to admit that maybe I just happened to catch the evil Branson 100% of the time that I've seen him - but that's enough for me to make my judgment.

05-22-2009, 02:46 PM	#22 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	I work at a pretty well known establishment - and do quite technical software work... now.. with that said... I absolutely did not learn jack **** at college that I could not pick up myself / already knew... but what I DID learn from college is - networking skills, dealing with nice people and douche bags all mixed at the same place (someone say work floor?) and independence - maybe not financial but personal. You develop essential people skills and a lot of very important things are made easy to absorb. However - for a select few people college is an utter waste and they pick up their skills just living life. College at the end - is as valuable as you make it... it can be a complete waste (as it is mostly for a lot of ppl in the states) but it can also be the best 4-5 years of your life. I would honestly stay in college if someone paid for my expenses forever

05-22-2009, 05:07 PM	#24 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	oh wow thats awesome!! schoolin for free... and yea... I mean some of the richest ppl in the world are also some of the luckiest.... its not like college got them their millions... all about right place at the perfect time..