IE, I feel the same way
I'm actually still in highschool, I skipped 3 grades ahead in math, 2 in science, and 1 for every other course, due to the fact I skipped in middle school; I have aspirations to skip more, though. My GPA is above 3.5, I don't get an exact number until a week or so. Although I'm in highschool, I still take ECS college classes. I have a hard time finding a reason to continue college; I can't justify that much money and time for a piece of paper. What's the point when I learn more in less time while reading? Does anyone have experience to say if college is actually worth it, even if you know everything the course would teach you? I really like philosophy, and I'm taking a few classes related to it, so I said Humanities. I know it won't make a lot of money, so I'll probably double major with philosophy and cosmology or something similar, so I can pay dem bills, yo. Anyone got any advise for someone still in highschool, probably going to college soon? e.g. Does the college you go to really matter?
EDIT: sorry for the slight derail
You can get by without a degree, but it usually means a trade jobs, some sort of niche entrepreneurial career if you're already skilled (and lucky), or being willing to keep your standards low (by other peoples' standards). However, if you don't have your ducks in a row already, you're essentially a nobody at this point. All those grades you skipped, those awards, merits or whatever, are not "qualifications" that land you a job or impress people unless you're a kid applying to McDonalds. They're really only relevant for entrance into college.
A lack of at least a bachelor's degree is about the same as not having a high school diploma in the old days. Your resume will literally be tossed into the trash upon arrival. Why? Because there are thousands of other people your age that
will have that minimum qualification. It's a minimum qualification for many jobs these days, even if the skills imparted by the degree may matter little.
Don't just choose any major though. This isn't the 1970s when just having "a degree" meant something. A major in library science or gender studies is worth no more than the general-ed courses everyone has to take. Choose a major in something useful. Having a useless degree and a hefty student loan is worse than no degree but no student loan debt. Remember that you cannot discharge that debt in bankruptcy.
Yes, that includes not bothering with majors in something like "philosophy." You can read up and learn about philosophy on your own time; you don't need a degree in it. If your grades are so fantastic, join the Honor Program at your school and take the higher quality courses they offer there. I did that along with my engineering degree and it was a good learning experience without having to dedicate myself to the humanities. You'll have lots of time to learn about interesting topics while also obtaining a degree in something marketable.
Don't get an MBA as a "catch all" degree because you can't decide on something specific. MBAs are generally only useful if you get it as a secondary degree to assist in your primary. Otherwise, it's not really a "major" unless you attend some great school like Harvard. I'd think long and hard about what your end-goal with your education is, if you're going, and stick to it. Choose a major with prospects, but one you can enjoy, or at least tolerate.
Finally, if you're really not cut out for college, don't go! You can learn about great things on your own time, but without paying thousands for the privilege. Sure, it'll be hard on your job prospects, but it's better than being saddled with a loan. Again, don't choose useless degrees just to get one.
Probably more than half the Mechanical Engineers I know couldn't tell you the difference between a lathe and a mill, but if their dad knows a guy who has a friend who knows a guy, then they'll get a job they may not be qualified for anyways.
I'm sorry, but what does knowing the distinctions between a lathe and mill have to do with mechanical engineering any more than knowing how to
wire up houses has to do with being an electrical engineer, or the ability to perform
arithmetic have to do with being a mathematician? In each of those, the former is often not relevant to the latter.
Also, what
type of qualifications? Academic? Technician work? Familiarity with certain tools? Work experience? Internships? The specifics are important. Some of those qualifications are more valuable and relevant than others, and often matter less than a recommendation from someone. A big mistake with many graduates is the belief that their academic credentials will carry them through above other candidates. It's not always the case. Hiring a person is more than just the certain qualifications
you may think are important.
Hirings through connections are often made because of a trust in the recommending authority to suggest good candidates -- especially among an unknown pool of hires that are only known to be good on the self-created resume. Those hires may also be selected for their teamwork ability, their experience in other companies, their capability to learn, or yes, their connection to people the company knows. Hiring is all about risk: whether the candidate is worth the effort to hire and integrate into an organization. A recommendation/connection can be a powerful thing in that respect.
Agreed, I finished school a couple of years ago, and I'm in first year engineering now. Some people in the class are just there because they hear it's good money, well, good for them if they're willing to learn, but as long as they have the bit of paper saying they're an engineer, they'll get a job, even if they really have no clue or practical experience.
What's wrong with that though? A little known fact is that most graduates seeking jobs -- at any level -- don't really have a clue or practical experience (it's academia after all). If they did, they would've been working already (which is what makes internships valuable). Even with a PhD, you'll learn more the first year of your work career than you did your entire college career -- but be trained well enough to absorb and apply it.
Degrees are not so much about
what you learned, but your
ability to learn.
A high school diploma shows that you know the most fundamental skills adults ought to know (formerly, how to read). It demonstrates that you have the ability to complete schooling at all.
A bachelor's degree shows you can be trained in a study (and can write).
A master degree shows you can apply knowledge in a research setting.
A PhD shows that you have the ability to perform independent research.
Some people go beyond that, but they're the ones who will start companies after graduating, or go into a career in academia. For those seeking jobs, often the education credentials are there to demonstrate your ability to be molded in to someone productive for a company.
