[BrookR1]

Good graphics designers make great money. I know and work with graphics designers. Some of them work for corporations and create advertisements, others work in video and multimedia and others design catalogs and work with web technologies. If you establish yourself and later go into business for yourself, you can make (SWAG here) over $100 per hour. Corporate graphic designers can make about $50-$100k per year.

 

[wnewport]

I think everyone here is sorta mixed up about the Columbia thing. Columbia College and Columbia University are two very very seperate schools. Columbia College is fine I'm sure, but not near Columbia University. I think most of you are assuming he wanted to apply to the very prestigious Columbia University in New York, which he did not.

Columbia College is in Chicago and not as selective.

Just thought I would straighten things out.

 

[DSlayerZX]

to tell you the truth, until now< I am still not sure what I should do for my future career, I am in the Electrical Engineering major just because it generally allow me to make good money after I graduate.

But still, if you know what you wanna do, then go for it. But still, how the hell do you miss the college deadline for fall quarter?!?!

I mean, seriously, going to college by spring quarter is not a good idea, because at that time, most of the people will have more points than you, and it is good since they will be able to select classes much earlier than you, and it sucks

 

[ChickenGod]

You could become a computer networking specialist, a CAD drawer, an architect

Or you can become a computer programmer and design programs and things for Cisco. My uncle does that and hes rich!

 

[xnothingpoetic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnewport /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think everyone here is sorta mixed up about the Columbia thing. Columbia College and Columbia University are two very very seperate schools. Columbia College is fine I'm sure, but not near Columbia University. I think most of you are assuming he wanted to apply to the very prestigious Columbia University in New York, which he did not. Columbia College is in Chicago and not as selective. Just thought I would straighten things out.

Yup, Columbia College is the art school. is it not good?

I've felt like I've done my reasearch on it. It is also considered a "normal" college and I could transfer to somewhere else like NIU or something..

 

[AFEnlistee]

do like me. want to join the Air Force, get forced into college instead, fall in love, bum around in college, girl leaves you, then join the Air Force. lol

 

[oicdn]

Playing devils advocate here...

Just remember this. College is a BUSINESS. And what makes it worse, is nobody really gives a sh!t about what college you graduated from. Joe Schmoe from the community college will have the same opportunities and pay as you with your degree from Notre Dame with less than 1/2 of the loans to pay back.

Also, college is the biggest hoopla business ever. You pay THEM, and they can still fail you, as well as it being up to YOU to goto classes YOU paid for. What kinda **** is that? Essentially, you can throw your money away just as easily as if you were in Vegas...

In all reality, statistics show people who have stayed at a job for the same amount of time somebody who has graduated college actually make MORE than the college educated person.

Example? Two equally driven people graduate high school at the same time. Person A goes and works for McDonalds. Person B goes to college for 6 years. Chances are, the driven person at McDonalds is a high level manager making more than the person coming out of college. And that's if the person doesn't want to buy into his own franchise. Which is what MANY MANY managers end up doing...OWNING McDonalds chains.

Most of the population doesn't even utilize thier major, and end up paying off loans for something they never used. Imagine buying a high end Mercedes and never driving it. Financially, that's pretty much what it amounts to.

College is for the experiance, and for those driven enough who realized what they wanted to do since they were young. It's the reason many people switch majors. They think because they have a degree it's all that matters in the world. It's how the BUSINESS of college has brainwashed the population.

Most of the worlds most successful people have never finished college or don't even use the degree they went for. Most of your worlds money is in entrepreneurship. People are so closed-minded and uncreative and want to work for the people who were creative....i.e. rather than make your OWN clothing and become a millionaire/billionaire, settle for just working for somebody/a clothing company who doesn't have half the college you do, but will pay you....yeah, way to reach for the stars and utilize that degree

 

[BrookR1]

Going to a community college for two years and then transferring to a four year college will save you money...and it's the four year college that will get noticed on the resume.

I approached college as a proving ground for your ability to learn. It also provides and environment to learn about yourself and your skills. People often change majors because they want to be X when they grow up, realize it's not for them, and then choose Y. Working your way from job to job is a much tougher route if you're still undecided on what you want to become. In college, it will allow you to sample different areas.

As far as oicdn's comments...don't take them too seriously. He didn't back any of his arguments with statistics or dollar amounts. And, if your goal in life to own a McDonald's franchise, then his advice may actually be good. But, if you want to work for McDonald's corporate and make impactful business decisions, then they will laugh you out of the lobby without a degree.

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oicdn /img/forum/go_quote.gif Most of the worlds most successful people have never finished college or don't even use the degree they went for.

I'm assuming you're meaning Bill Gates here. He still had 4 years of college at Harvard. It's not like he's a high school flunky who decided to get into them new fangled computers one day

Also your premise that someone who doesn't go to college, but tries to pull themselves up in a fast food joint, is way oversimplified. Maybe that person with the college education starts off with lower pay then the person who has spent their college years becoming a McDonald's manager. But a person who has a degree will have way more room for advancement. Last time I checked any executive board, everyone has at least bachelors degree....if not a graduate degree.

IMO, college is a good way of getting more life experience while gaining skills that may help with whatever career you get into.

 

[fordgtlover]

Here's my 2 cents - for what it's worth.

Tip 1 - Go to college. Have lots of fun and get a qualification. A piece of paper gets you through the door at a pretty good starting level when you start in the workforce (intern rather than cleaner).

Tip 2 - Find something you love doing and find someone who wants to pay you to do it. You may not find this in your first job, but keep looking - (often this search can last a lifetime).

Tip 3 - Work Hard at what you're paid to do. Bosses hate people who focus on pay. If you work hard and develop your skills, the money will find its own way to you.

Tip 4 - Your qualification got you a start in a job, your day to day performance opens up (or not) opportunities.

Tip 5 - Enjoy Life. You will need to decide how much of your life you want to dedicate to working hard and making money.

Tip 6 - Get into a relationship with someone you want to spend time with. One of the sweetest rewards in life is finding someone to share it with.

Tip 7 - Be happy and grow old. Happiness is not based on your income it is a state of mind. Rich people are often miserable while many poor people are happy. Happiness is a choice you make - every minute of every day.

Life Spoiler - Most young people want to be rich. During their lives very few will be rich enough to give up work before they reach old age retirement. Get a job that you find rewarding (financially and personally). Find a partner that you love. Make enough money to enjoy yourself.

 

[wafflesomd]

I'm majoring in music performance, think that's stable? No.

Just do what you love.

 

[randerson3024]

Do what you want, if you're not sure, take some time off and maybe travel a bit.

Cheers,

 

[hellomrphil]

I agree with everyone else and do whatever brings you the highest level of happiness, there is no rush on college, the destination isnt nearly as important as the road there.

 

[2.2gotboost]

Stay at home as long as you can

 

[Azure]

Quote:

Originally Posted by randerson3024 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do what you want, if you're not sure, take some time off and maybe travel a bit. Cheers,

My Economics teacher has always HEAVILY (and I mean HEAVILY) advised against taking the "I'll take a year (or a few months or whatever) off after HS to decide what I want." She said that she's seen it ruin TONS of kids as they have a hard time getting back into the mood for school/learning/work and tend to either not go to college or end up doing poorly. She said that if you're somewhat unsure you should still enroll in the college and think about it why you are doing GEs.