Now that I'm in my last year of school, I'm expected to start looking at colleges and applying. Problem is, I don't want college. It's just not me. My mom is really supportive of what I want, but when I attempt to explain this to other people they stare at me as if I'm just so stupid I couldn't get into college. I try to tell them I don't need that four year waste of money, that I'll be talking that time to become a computer programmer instead. Taking those classes. I know what's best for myself, what I need.

 

So I'm wondering if any of you feel similar? College isn't the only option, it doesn't grant you a perfect life for gong through with it.

Well the reason why people think its bad not to go to college is bc in this day and age you NEED it to get a good paying job. Most employers will pass you up for another candidate with a degree...They prefer a degree over someone who just took a few classes...Sure you dont HAVE to go , but it sure is gonna cost you a lot of better , higher paying jobs.Especially in this economy ..In the end its your choice since its your life though.

I'm not old enough to be in your position, yet i know quite a bit of College. If you say you will do computer programming classes, and if that will get you to where you want to be go for it. After all, College IS very expensive and if you change your mind, there's a possibility to go to college. In fact, my mom just quit her job to start college, since she didnt go. Now she's taking accounting classes in college, at her age...so if you want to take the programming classes i say you should definitely TRY it! hope this helps, in your final decison.

 

Lea's suggestion is also very accurate, if you end up taking the alternate classes instead, heed Lea's words. However, as I previously stated, you CAN see if you qualify for taking college later on.

Edited August 19, 201213 yr by CloakedSchemerX

It's not a 4 year waste of money. College is important in life, if you have a degree, the better the chance to get a good paying job. Now if it's the money part that has you concerned about college, you can do college online. It's way cheaper, and you can graduate whenever you want to.

Well the reason why people think its bad not to go to college is bc in this day and age you NEED it to get a good paying job. Most employers will pass you up for another candidate with a degree...They prefer a degree over someone who just took a few classes...Sure you dont HAVE to go , but it sure is gonna cost you a lot of better , higher paying jobs.Especially in this economy ..In the end its your choice since its your life though.

 

I get that, but they never listen, just jump to conclusions. I will have all the qualifications necessary for what I want to do, with or without college. Not to mention I've heard a lot of colleges are trying to slip by on teaching nothing new, only stuff you learned in high school. Which I'm sure some people are all for it, seeing as they get the credit without the extra work. I was half tempted to do so myself

 

It's not a 4 year waste of money. College is important in life, if you have a degree, the better the chance to get a good paying job. Now if it's the money part that has you concerned about college, you can do college online. It's way cheaper, and you can graduate whenever you want to.

 

In some cases it is. And yes, I've already checked out online classes and such, I just don't feel it's right for me. Money isn't an issue, I could easily get student loans.

 

thats true but i dont think microsoft or any other computer place will hire you without a degree in that certain subject

 

No, I just said I was getting the degrees I needed, without college. I'll be going to a special technical school for these things.

Edited August 19, 201213 yr by Riku'sAngel

thats true but i dont think microsoft or any other computer place will hire you without a degree in that certain subject

I get that, but they never listen, just jump to conclusions. I will have all the qualifications necessary for what I want to do, with or without college. Not to mention I've heard a lot of colleges are trying to slip by on teaching nothing new, only stuff you learned in high school. Which I'm sure some people are all for it, seeing as they get the credit without the extra work. I was half tempted to do so myself

 

But my point also was employers also prefer a degree over just being qualified by taking some classes. As for your other concern, in college you have classes geared toward your major and you also need general education classes like english, math, sciences, etc,.Its not that its nothing new but to make sure your degree is well rounded and you learn things to make you more professional in your career path and also help you gather more experience in tools you might not have learned in depth in high school .

"The qualifications necessary?" From taking classes? True experience in any field comes on the field, not from school. To actually get on the field, someone needs to hire you. For someone to hire you, you need to prove your stuff, and a great way to start is to get a degree in what you're doing.

 

If you think the people around you are jumping to conclusions when you tell them you're not gonna go to college, imagine what potential employers will think. "So, this person is dedicated enough to become a computer programmer, but she hasn't gone to college? Gee, wonder why? Next applicant. Oh, hey, a dedicated computer programmer who did go to college! He must be more reliable!"

"The qualifications necessary?" From taking classes? True experience in any field comes on the field, not from school. To actually get on the field, someone needs to hire you. For someone to hire you, you need to prove your stuff, and a great way to start is to get a degree in what you're doing.

 

If you think the people around you are jumping to conclusions when you tell them you're not gonna go to college, imagine what potential employers will think. "So, this person is dedicated enough to become a computer programmer, but she hasn't gone to college? Gee, wonder why? Next applicant. Oh, hey, a dedicated computer programmer who did go to college! He must be more reliable!"

 

You do realize that I'm not going to a normal college, but still getting my degree in computer programming, right? I will have exactly the qualifications necessary, and the degree needed.

True you won't ever get a "Perfect" life but hey at least you might get a "Good" life since there's no telling what might happen plus im just recommending this but you should take any people's thoughts and words into recommendations also since they may very well be saying something that could turn out right.

You do realize that I'm not going to a normal college, but still getting my degree in computer programming, right? I will have exactly the qualifications necessary, and the degree needed.

 

You only said that in an edited post; I caught it too late. But even if you're not going to a regular college, you're still furthering your education, which is college in spirit. So, in a technical sense, you are going to college. In that case, what's the point of all this? That your friends think you're stupid because you're going to someplace more specialized?

Well Idk if I wanna go to college. I will decide when I get into High School.

I get you, and pretty much feel the same way, there are times I regret ever applying to college. You don't need it to make money and be successful in life...but then again, my dad made me read those Robert Kiyosaki books so... @_@

A lot of my friends toiled through college, just to graduate and still not be hired because they don't have any 'experience' in a job. This require meant of '1-3 years of experience' is really screwing everyone over.

 

One alternative to traditional college is a trade school. Where as college teaches you the mental processes of your chosen career, trade or tech schools teach you the actual skills. They teach you things that are more actual job related, and give you a lot of experience with hands on things. They usually have an in school job placement program that will either help you get an internship or an actual job.

Oh so you are still getting a degree, just at a technical college instead of a 'regular ' college . Thats still different than just taking a few classes;) As long as you know the technical college /institution is highly accredited you should be fine . You should also check out their hiring rate for graduates and see what their reputation is as well.

Well, I'm sure you'll be very talented, but the best computer programmers will be the ones who have studied it in college. It's a fact.

 

In the day and age we live in, no, going to college doesn't mean you'll get a high-paying job and automatically be successful. But NOT going to college is basically only leaving yourself open to a career as an actor, plumber, or something along those lines. Our parents could've done well in life without going to college, but they were the LAST generation who could get away with it. Now, a college diploma is as basic as a high school diploma. You NEED one to get anywhere in life, whether you think college is for you or not. I know I'm being kind of blunt, but if someone wanted to hire a computer programmer, and have the choice between an all-around well-educated computer programmer college graduate or someone who never went to college but says they know how to do it, who are you going to choose if you really need the job done right? Not to say you'd be a bad choice, but a college graduate is going to seem far more trustworthy. Honestly, it would be best for you to go to college. But I guess in the end it's whatever you want to do.

 

EDIT: As usual I was the idiot who missed the part that you're actually getting a degree in computer programming. Sorry for missing that. xDD But I think you should go to college anyway, still. At the very least, the other classes will still be important, and you'll have a chance to really enjoy living on campus and making new friends and all that jazz. Most people I've talked to say college is the best decision they ever made, career-wise and for the fun.

Edited August 19, 201213 yr by Think Pink

im planning to take a semester off

You could join organization 13 instead.

College = Brighter future and better chances to get a job. It would be a bad move if you didn't go.

I never thought about it,but how are you gonna get a nice home and a place to sleep?

Well if thats what you want i'm not stoping you. People like you find a way for their future i'm sure you'll figure things out

Now that I'm in my last year of school, I'm expected to start looking at colleges and applying. Problem is, I don't want college. It's just not me. My mom is really supportive of what I want, but when I attempt to explain this to other people they stare at me as if I'm just so stupid I couldn't get into college. I try to tell them I don't need that four year waste of money, that I'll be talking that time to become a computer programmer instead. Taking those classes. I know what's best for myself, what I need.

 

So I'm wondering if any of you feel similar? College isn't the only option, it doesn't grant you a perfect life for gong through with it.

 

I am mostly quoting you to get your attention, and not trying to make this feel like a discredit or an position to your feelings at all. it was mostly the fact that I am subscribed to a youtube channel where an upload was made that instantly made me think of this thread. It's more of like a different view of looking at the college question, I hope you at least find it informational. (Remember, I didn't go to college or even a trade school so I am not preaching anything here.)

 

It depends on how you want your life to be. College is just there to open more paths for you to choose in life and also a guidance for your future.

 

If you really think you don't need college, then you need to know what will you be doing in the years to come and have a well thought-out plan.

 

Some friends of mine tend to start work first right after they graduate from high school and join college later like in 3-4 years time.

 

In my opinion, you're still young and you still have time to think if you want to go college or not. If you can't decide, then find some work first while you think and decide on what you want to do next after you graduate from school.