Chasing the American dream

[RobForaker]

Thought this was interested...College grads and the great recession

[longnecker]

Things are not as bright for college grads as they used to be. I know one grad with a full time job who has taken an additional part time job to help pay off student loans.

[childOfLacroix]

Unless you are going to be a doctor or a nurse, college is not worth it. All it will do is put you into debt that you will never be able to get out of.

If I had a kid, I'd tell them to go in the military...and stay in the military until they either died, got so injured they were involuntarily discharged, or reached retirement. If that was not possible, I'd tell them to just go get a job and make the best of it, or alternatively just go from gig to gig, doing whatever kind of work they can get to make money each day.

Thankfully, I never had kids, so I never have to have that conversation. Although, young people won't remember the way things used to be. Since they don't know any different, they'll adapt better than older generations. You cannot miss something you never had in the first place.

[Crabby]

Try to be a public school teacher without a degree! A lot of professions demand it. Even some police officers have to have a two year associate degree now. But having said that, not everyone needs college. Most need some sort of post high school education, but they need to get whatever fits them.

[childOfLacroix]

A lot of professions do demand degrees, but then they don't pay enough in relation to how much it costs to obtain the required degree. I've seen dozens of ads that demand degrees for jobs that pay $9-$12/hour. Meanwhile, there are jobs that pay the same but do not require a degree. Day laborers can also earn at least that much, sometimes more.

The only professions I can think of that (1) pretty much guarantee some form of employment upon graduation and (2) pay enough to justify college are doctor and nurse. That's it. Anything else just isn't worth the cost of college. Even law school isn't worth it anymore. There are between 30,000 and 40,000 more JD's being minted each year than there are jobs for them.

The best option for young people, if they can pass the physical and psych tests, is the military. I sorely wish I could have gone into the military. I'd sign up right now if it weren't for my age and health disqualifications.

[motherof3]

My younger daughter is already looking into the Navy. She will be going to Delcastle starting next year and wants to go into the service right out of high school. I'm glad she is thinking ahead. And too by going to Delcastle she'll have a career path already established. My son should be able to get into a vo-tech too as long as he keeps his grades up. Any more vo-tech high schools are one of the best options for public high school in DE in my opinion. Newark has the most AP classes available in any high school, but vo-techs teach a trade and offer AP and honors classes. Plus the kids in those schools WANT to be there and work hard to get there and stay there. I was really impressed with Delcastle when we toured and attended the freshman parent assembly. Their daily attendance rate is 98%, that speaks volumes IMO. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it continues to be a good experience for our family. I don't think college is in the future for all 3 of my kids. And really I'm ok with that as long as they each find a job they like doing every day and can support themselves.