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Why is salary $ such a high influence on students university degree

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deeph

Bluelighter
Joined
Apr 19, 2004
Messages
30
I started university back in 2001 and went straight through to finish my Masters. During this time, I have witnessed a drastic polarisation of students choice of preferred university course. Where once many choose what they enjoyed, learning what excited them, towards the end it was much more like a business where the student was just another customer.

I understand the investment (cost) and time, but there has been such a commercialisation of universities it is unbelievable. I have witnessed some Profressors being placed under enormous pressure to pass students due to their fees even though the quality of their work is clearly lacking. Now, instead of being a place to learn and enjoy life as a student, students are using university just as a tool to get out as soon as possible and 'make the big $$$$$' as they say it.

But dont people realise that all the $$ you may make will not make up for the unhappiness in selecting a career you hate? Yes you may be able to afford the new TV and flash car, but in doing this arnt you just joining the list of people waking up everyday like robots. Shouldnt be there more of a push for students to select degrees which they enjoy, see a future in and where they can contribute positively rather than just looking at the monetary benefits? I understand that students must also be employable at the end of their studies (people do have to live), but selecting a degree just because you may make the big money to me is just stupidity.

Your thoughts?
 
I don't have fun at college. All I do is study chemistry and biology. I don't party, I hardly ever do drugs any more, my goal is to have a minimum GPA of 3.5, get a good job, make money, buy a 700 series beamer, etc.

I have also loved science I was a kid but I also love money.

Also students currently have to take out huge loans so they better be making a shitload of money after they graduate.
 
I am getting my B.S. in Geography because I am truly interested in the field. Of course, I also want more money... so that not only can I buy a few nicer things (like a sweet new gaming PC) but also so that I have more personal freedom to do anything else I want, which includes avoiding financial problems.

The U.S. ( where I live ) is a materialistic society, as are most western countries. Money is important, but anyone who thinks that it should be the only purpose to getting a higher education is likely to be disappointed at some point.

To me, it is all about greater financial security and protecting myself from unexpected problems that could arise.
 
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I want to live a materialistic life ;)
 
yeah, materialism has been shoved down our throats since birth, it's no big surpirse it's what most young people base thier lives around.
 
I'm going to school to become a sociologist and instruct related classes...I don't expect to make much money I just want to help students because I have a passion for my field and I love it.
 
Deeph asks: "Shouldnt be there more of a push for students to select degrees which they enjoy, see a future in and where they can contribute positively, rather than just looking at the monetary benefits?"

NO.

Many people get a degree, to get that BIG $$ job.
After he's had it for a while, he can decide to change to a Smaller $ job.

Most attorneys, for instance, quit practicing Law. Then they take their analytical mind to another job.
This new job is easier to get, because they've already got a Graduate degree.
Many employers look at them happily, thinking that they are good choices to have there.

The other side is:
1) You get your Graduate degree in a field that you THINK you're gonna like;
2) You work 6 LONG months actually doing it;
3) You examine your next career; but
4) You don't qualify for many other jobs, because your Major sucks.
 
Yep. I am lucky that I got a full ride to my state university but I'm just getting my bachelors. I plan on getting a masters and then maybe a doctorate and for that I want to go to Berkeley and Washu so I will be in debt up to my eyeballs, lol.
 
"My secret to succes is very simple:

(1) Figure out what you love; and then

(2) Do it for a loving."

-- George Burns, ahelluva suceessful (albeit dead) man
 
I love sitting around enjoying the fact that I have nothing to do. It's not going to pay any bills though. That was a stupid quote. It's your typical example of the "right thing to say."

Anyway, salary influenced my decision on my major because my mom is broke. I'm not going to major in something that isn't going to make me any money.
 
I'm kinda freaked out for my son.

He's a German major and was a minor in business and he just changed to a minor in teaching.

I'm afraid he wont find a job.
 
I chose my major (finance) for the money, but that's because I was young, naive, and scared at how the job market was looking when I got to college.

I now realize that the most holistically (which includes financially) successful people always do what they love, and now I'm in the process of trying to incorporate my degree into doing something I love. Most of my friends are musicians and artists, and I'm basically going to try to help them somehow, just so I can be a part of a culture that I would die on the inside without.

He's a German major and was a minor in business and he just changed to a minor in teaching.
Click to expand...

It's all about him - not what his degree says. Depending on his work experience and extra-curricular activities, there's bound to be a company or two that would love to hire someone who is both bilingual and patient enough to enjoy teaching his peers and/or subordinates how to do a particular job.

Maybe he won't make $80k his first year out, but if he's doing something he loves and investing his money then it won't really matter. There's no shame in working an internship and living with mom and dad for a while - just make him split the light bills and rent.

Sorry about the soap-boxing...
 
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Actually when I first started at school I just wanted a career Id feel good doing such as teaching. I had a passion for it. However as I got a little older I decided I could get a higher paying degree and career in something I liked.

I went into PR. Then I learned I really enjoy Advertising and Media Design. Now I am happy...I will make a great amount of money plus do something I like.
 
There are two sides of it. If you choose to go into a profession, then you are going to make money and you are also going to have some degree of control over your circumstances. If you have valuable skills, then you're going to do okay. There are plenty of things you can do where you can both make money and enjoy what you are doing.
 
captainballs said:
I chose my major (finance) for the money, but that's because I was young, naive, and scared at how the job market was looking when I got to college.
It's all about him - not what his degree says. Depending on his work experience and extra-curricular activities, there's bound to be a company or two that would love to hire someone who is both bilingual and patient enough to enjoy teaching his peers and/or subordinates how to do a particular job.
Maybe he won't make $80k his first year out, but if he's doing something he loves and investing his money then it won't really matter. There's no shame in working an internship and living with mom and dad for a while - just make him split the light bills and rent.
Sorry about the soap-boxing...
Click to expand...
Dont be sorry at all! I appreciate the insight. Made me feel better!:)
 
I plan on getting a masters or Ph.D. in physics. This is what I want to do more than anything, and I could make a lot of money in the process. The money is not as important as doing something I enjoy though. I would like to go into theoretical physics, but a physics degree will also allow me to get a job as an engineer if I am unable to do that. I think I would enjoy that too. Anything that allows me to use a lot of math and logic should be enjoyable.
 
Captainballs- He can teach German at a college or high school if worse. comes to worse. I don't have anything to add, but this topic? It's why I've changed my major 4 times....now I'm doing something I like....luckily I found out it was number 1 on the forbes top 50 jobs....if your in america and want a cheap grad school...come to Kansas! Affordable success....also, today in Historical methods, a boy didn't know the word "substantiated" It made me sad that these people are going to be teaching our children....

Sorry...I really should be posting in the "I'm so cunted right now...." thread!
 
Yea... This girl in my class said that teaching degrees should be harder to get because it is way to fucking easy.
 
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