Is having a degree better than not having one?

DamienWayne

Superstar
Joined
Nov 18, 2016
Messages
10,921
Reputation
1,583
Daps
45,390
took me 8 years to graduate with a B.S in biology with a low gpa at that. currently working at a car dealership and a gym part time. not many jobs for a bio degree outside of going to a professional school which i am not qualified for. Taking a class this summer and in the fall to see if i can get into a grad program that is stilll somewhat related to my degree. i got friends making 50, 60, 70, 80 k in help desk/ warehouse work, that went to school with me that decided to drop out early. most of the time i feel like a made a mistake continuing in school.

tired of the odd job thing and im looking for a career i can dive into. Any brehs got a degree they not using? is having a degree really better than not having one?
 

REdefinition

Superstar
Joined
Jun 9, 2012
Messages
8,913
Reputation
3,393
Daps
59,974
Reppin
NULL
Too broad a question without other variables. Thecoli seems to have an IT bias so you'll probably get answers specific to that. I work in mental health where a Masters/Phd is necessary.

If you're asking if you need a degree to make decent miney then Id say no. If I could start over, id probably go to community college/trade school. Save my $ and get into real estate.
 

kevm3

follower of Jesus
Supporter
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
16,318
Reputation
5,595
Daps
83,664
It really depends. A lot of jobs require a bachelors just to get an interview. Something like IT/programming is an exception where certs, portfolios, experience, etc., can take the place of all of that. You really have to weigh how much the degree you are looking for will bring you vs how much debt you will go in to get it.
It's really best for a lot of people to go to two years of community college and stay at home and then do the final two years at a university to keep control of debt.
 

beenz

Rap Guerilla
Joined
May 1, 2012
Messages
83,979
Reputation
10,918
Daps
192,628
Reppin
The Chi (South Side)
Biology is a degree that u really can't use by itself to get a job. My sister in law ran into this same problem. She ended up going back to med school a few years after graduating and is now a resident anesthesiologist.

If I'm the OP, I'd consider the military. Might be able to start off with more pay since he got a degree.
 

BezO

Highbrow
Joined
Dec 12, 2012
Messages
2,124
Reputation
370
Daps
6,322
Reppin
NYC -> DC
Doctor, nursing, teaching, lab technician, nutrition, physical therapy, healthcare, sales... some would require additional education, but doable.

Still more school, but you could be a biology specialist in other fields. Finance, law, author, etc.

Personally, I'd try to spin it into an entrepreneurial venture. Some combo of nutrition & physical therapy/trainin'.

I use my accountin' degree for work, but I also apply that knowledge to independent investment studies and am 10 days out from collectin' on my 1st real estate investment.
 

Mr Rager

Leader of the Delinquents
Supporter
Joined
Feb 9, 2014
Messages
15,571
Reputation
5,604
Daps
69,899
Reppin
Mars
While I have worked in IT, my IT degree has not helped one bit in getting a job even though a lot say they require it. Would be debt free if I had not gone to college as well. Bad investment on my part.

Real shyt :to:
Wish I had gone to a small/cheap/state school and then splurged on a Master's. A bachelor's is worth shyt these days.
 

Dat Migo

Superstar
Joined
May 1, 2012
Messages
9,256
Reputation
1,624
Daps
19,634
Reppin
Boston
Real shyt :to:
Wish I had gone to a small/cheap/state school and then splurged on a Master's. A bachelor's is worth shyt these days.
Wish I went to community college those first 2 years but decided to move out of town and go to school near my highschool sweetheart. We broke up after freshmen year :mjlol:
 

DamienWayne

Superstar
Joined
Nov 18, 2016
Messages
10,921
Reputation
1,583
Daps
45,390
Biology is a degree that u really can't use by itself to get a job. My sister in law ran into this same problem. She ended up going back to med school a few years after graduating and is now a resident anesthesiologist.

If I'm the OP, I'd consider the military. Might be able to start off with more pay since he got a degree.
iv considered military. that and teaching are my last resorts. my gpa was way less than 3.0 so most professional schools are out of reach for me
 

beenz

Rap Guerilla
Joined
May 1, 2012
Messages
83,979
Reputation
10,918
Daps
192,628
Reppin
The Chi (South Side)
iv considered military. that and teaching are my last resorts. my gpa was way less than 3.0 so most professional schools are out of reach for me

to be honest, with just a biology degree, you're gonna need to go back to college to get a master's in education in order to teach in a regular school and make decent money.

btw, my GPA was under 3.0 when I graduated college. I never put that on my resume and have never been asked to provide it. GPA doesn't matter unless you're trying to get into a grad school.
 

David_TheMan

Veteran
Bushed
Joined
Dec 2, 2015
Messages
38,068
Reputation
-2,767
Daps
85,303
It always depends on the degree you get. All degrees aren't equal, you have to look at demand nationally and in your area and the level of degree you need in your respective field.
 
Top