This thread has smoothly went 3 different ways.

College serves more as a filter than job training, at least the non-technical degrees.

The elite jobs - management consulting and IB - for undergrads actually are biased AGAINST business majors. In some cases biases even against industry people, because they have their approach and don't want to "unlearn" you first.

Even with an MBA I'd say it's almost still all on-the-job training. Although I don't disagree with their pitch - "99% of the time you don't need this, but it's that 1% that can make or break your business and career".

I think degrees like engineering and math are valuable because they teach you structured thinking and logic. Other majors that might emphasize writing/communication/leadership are also worthy. Most other classes that aren't stepping stones toward graduate work (i.e. pre-med) have little value beyond personal enrichment.

Also something to be said about a huge difference in maturity between an 18-yr old HS grad and 22-yr old college grad. But we could radically re-think what you actually need to take away from college. You could teach someone just about any entry-level business function with a 3-month intense, tailored course.

Pick6;1478257 wrote:How could going to a community college for two years and then transferring somewhere else help you enter the job market earlier?

I didn't flat out articulate it, but I would've likely gone to community college and decided it wasn't for me. By the time I realized I was not in the right place, I already had 3 years of college under my belt decided I might as well finish.

dlazz;1478430 wrote:I didn't flat out articulate it, but I would've likely gone to community college and decided it wasn't for me. By the time I realized I was not in the right place, I already had 3 years of college under my belt decided I might as well finish.

What do you think you would have done without your degree? Would you realistically be able to do the same job at the same level? Would you have even been looked at for said job?

Just trying to understand your thinking.

Pick6;1478433 wrote:What do you think you would have done without your degree? Would you realistically be able to do the same job at the same level? Would you have even been looked at for said job?

Just trying to understand your thinking.

I work in IT and my degree is in Criminology. I have been looking for a criminology-related job since I graduated and haven't found anything.

Pick6;1478358 wrote:I dont know, do I? An associate's is worthless. And if they are getting an associates, they will be maybe getting a half of their gen-eds out of the way. Which will make them have to go to school an extra year if they decide to go to a 4 years school, since they will be behind.

If you're goal is to just get an associates, dont even bother.

<diploma<associates cers<bachelors<etc.

An associates is not worthless. I view community college as a savior in many cases, mostly for what dlazz has stated. You go 2 years towards an associates in Accounting, knowing when you enter school, that you want to continue towards becoming a CPA. You finish those 2 years, and you realize that you don't like school, have found a good job, and don't want to continue. You have that associates still in accounting, which is good if you ever decide to go back, change jobs, etc. You make the same decision after 2 years at a 4 year school, and you blew a lot more money, and have no "degree" to fall back on.

Also, an associates can help get you into programs, if you do decide to continue to the 4 year. I had a friend in college who was in criminal justice. He went and got his associates at Owens in criminal justice first, and the fact that he did that actually HELPED him get into the program faster at BGSU. He said he was able to get some crucial classes in with his associates, where many may not have the opportunity to do until Jr. year or so. He received necessary training during associates, ahead of many of his counterparts at the 4 year.

Associates aren't worthless.</diploma<associates>