University - this might be a really naive question

[kien]

Personally I don't think that everyone needs to go to University. In my opinion, what is most important is finding something that you really want to do. Once you've figured out what that is, then figure out how you're going to get there. You may be surprised to find that you don't in fact need to go to University at all.

I am in an industry surrounded by highfalutin science and engineering degrees, but I work with and am very good friends with one colleague who does not have a University degree. He does the exact same thing that I do and gets paid exactly what I get paid. I went through 4 years of University, he did not. In the end, the hiring manager deemed his experience was more important than his lack of a formal degree. As for him, well, he figured out some where along the way what he really wanted to do with this life, figured out how to get there (in his own way), stuck with it and it worked out for him.

On the other side of the fence, I know quite a few people who have degrees in various disciplines, worked at it for a few years only to discover that they hated it. Some of them changed careers into something completely different from their "formal" training/education/degree. They are MUCH happier now that they have found what it is that they want to do with their lives, degree or no degree. So then, what was the point in spending all that money and time to get a degree?

Now, I realize that it takes some time to figure out the whole what it is you want to be when you grow up bit, but in theory this should be an advantage that "mature" individuals have over less mature/experienced individuals.

edit: This isn't meant to dissuade anyone from going to University. If you find that this is the best path to achieving your goal, then great! Get to it! But do really spend the time to figure out if it is the right path. Talk to friends, councel, read & research, heck go on a walkabout if you have to. University is a HUGE investment in time and money, both of which could potentially be better spent elsewhere to help you get where you want to be.

</2cents>

[Bloodasp]

Find something you are interested in doing for the rest of your life for one. It doesn't matter if you took up bachelors of something from this popular university if you don't like it chances are you will never use it. Also think about the viability of the course, at the end of the day a lot of those make me think what the heck are they gonna be doing once they graduate.

[Delphinus]

I always felt that the major point of a post secondary degree is more to show that you can handle just about anything thrown at you. As stated, sometimes experience counts for more than education and in fact even *with* the education, in 10 years it isn't relevant any longer anyhow: what is important is that the person has demonstrated a lifelong ability towards continual learning. The degree was the first step towards that; but there are other equally valid starting points.

Having said that there are disciplines/careers which require of you a certain degree (ie. engineering, medicine, whatever). So I agree with the statements that some amount of soul-searching need be done at this point first to determine what really is in your path forward and then deciding what steps be needed to get there.

As a mature student ("mature" is really anyone starting off at university that is outside that 18-22 age group), going back to university is a little different than it is for the average 18-22 year old. University programs are *designed* to let you flounder a bit (for lack of a better word, that's not really the right way to put it) for the first two years before you really get into what you were trying to specialize in, in the first place, because you have to take options that show you other things and in many cases, an option can lead to a minor degree or even a change in majors. As a mature student, the expectation is more that your chosen vocation is because you have a confirmed love already for the that topic. Ie., if you were to choose a degree in political science at this stage, it's because it's something you've always wanted to do. My mom went to university at a later stage in life and got a degree in linguistics and literature, which as a librarian for many years thereafter it served her well as a starting point into that career.

This is actually one of the best times of your life to consider a post secondary education because of that.

If it weren't for the fact that I have too much of an addiction to a steady income and a family to support, I honestly would consider going back myself. There are some degrees I would simply love to have because the topics interest me. Math, physics, marine biology (duh) .. But alas, the real world beckons. Perhaps in another life.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Spent far too long at UBC doing a double major (Aquaculture & AgriBusiness) then a Master's in Aquacultural engineering. Ended up working on a lake-based salmon farm raising 3.5 million smolts for 4 years (about half the time I spent at U), then totally switched careers to tutoring (something I did p/t for years).

I loved fish farming but pay sucked (half what I make now), had to live far from family & friends, and working with a bunch of red-necks (I became a pseudo-red-neck with a truck, boat, & swearing like a logger) eventually made me realize it was time for a change. That & I blew out my knee & was getting dumber by the day working there.

Now, my new career required no extra education, just a willingness to work long hours, absorb & teach new subjects, and accept tat there are months when I'm too busy & others where I'm off completely.

In other words, figure out what you really want to do first. Going to U is NOT the end-all, be-all you may think it is. In fact, I can barely name any of my University friends who are still working in their field of study, except ones who studied specialties like Pharmacy.

For many of my less academically inclined students, if they like working with their hands, I recommend that they look at going into the trades, since they will finish quicker & have a solid careeer that is always in demand.

If I had to do it all over again, I think I would have tried cutting off a couple of years at UBC if possible. BTW, in my tutoring, I use almost none of what I studied, other than basic skills like as how to do proper academic papers, presentations, and such.

Think outside the box when considering what new career you might want to go into. Then look forward & think whether or not you can see yourself doing the same thing 5 years, 10 years from now.

The days when most people work at the same career are long over. We will probably average 3 or 4 major career changes in during our working years.

Good luck,

Anthony

[Myka]

Thanks for all the advice and links. I wil have to go over this more thoroughly later today when I have some time.

but to answer the question, yes I will need to do and redo some highschool courses. Yeck! I didn't take highschool very seriously, and didn't show up for most of it. I very clearly remember being questioned about my 140 absences per semester.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Myka

but to answer the question, yes I will need to do and redo some highschool courses. Yeck! I didn't take highschool very seriously, and didn't show up for most of it. I very clearly remember being questioned about my 140 absences per semester.

Sounds familiar. I dropped out in grade 8 and worked construction until I was 30. I then went back to school, spent 5 years in post secondary, and never worked a day in my chosen field. My last sememster had me working for the department supervising a directed study in some computer topics, and that got me interested in IT. So I finished school, trained my self in IT and have been working in that field ever since. School was great, had a lot of fun and gained a broad range of knowledge, but it cost me 68k for something I've never officially used. It's good to have a plan, but remember, often the plan can change along the way. There are also a lot of jobs out there that aren't described in any school calendar.
Evaluate what you like to do, ie; do you like working with your hands, problem solving, like people, etc. Then narrow it down. Decide what is important, doing something you love, or doing something that earns you a killer income, thereby providing the ability to do things you love after hours. I know a dog trainer that makes less than 30k a year, she's really happy. I know a dental specialist that makes 400k a year, he's really happy too One does it for love, the other for money. Decide on life's priorities and pursue your goals, which need to include personal goals in addition to career goals.

[Skimmerking]

Mindy you seem quite smart and intelligent. Have you thought about the Forces. I'm not trying to pull the army life on you its not for everyone, however i know of many ladies that have moved into job and love it there are over 1000 trades, and the money is quite good. They will pay for your schooling too if you go the degree route in. All trades you dont pay for you get yearly bonuses.
your leave with pay
yearly increase of 1.5 -2.5 %
you get a march Break
Summer leave.

But there is also a place where you can work for the reserves in Saskatoon too.