*rant* about today's college students

**nancycg56** · 10-19-2009, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by MaryCarney

Wow!!! Just thought I'd share our (so far successful) college plan. We've graduated two, two more teens in the pipeline.

First off, we have always emphasized going to college with the idea of getting your degree in something you can get a job with. None of this Art History stuff. If you want to study Art History, do it when you've finished college and have a job!

Second, we make a deal with our kids. Pick an appropriate major. Pick an affordable school Take all the CLEP and advanced placement tests you possibly can.

Third, graduate in the amount of time required (i.e. 2 years for an associates, 4 for a bachelors). Do all that and we will make sure you graduate debt free. Live at home while you do this, and we provide you with a car (a hand-me-down)

So far we have an RN and an aviation mechanic. DS is interested in respiratory therapy (if his career as a major league right-fielder doesn't pan out

) and DD#4 is interested in law enforcement.

I really bust it tp be able to do this, but giving my kids this start in life is very important to me.

I'll take issue with your art history example

My daughter was an art history/religion undergrad which led to a master's in art history/museum studies. She has worked in museums since she graduated from college. She has NEVER lacked for a job in her field and actually works as a collections assistant in one museum and teaches in another museum.

So, there is hope for art history majors

**MaryCarney** · 10-19-2009, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by nancycg56

I'll take issue with your art history example

My daughter was an art history/religion undergrad which led to a master's in art history/museum studies. She has worked in museums since she graduated from college. She has NEVER lacked for a job in her field and actually works as a collections assistant in one museum and teaches in another museum.

So, there is hope for art history majors

I KNEW if I picked a random major someone would have a kid who majored in it!!

I guess my point was this, you don't open the classifieds and see ads for Art History majors!!

Actually, I have a niece who has that very degree and works for the Smithsonian - it was sort of a family joke (about majoring in Art History) and then I ran into her dad at a funeral and he told me what she was majoring in I had to bite my tongue!!

**nancycg56** · 10-19-2009, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by MaryCarney

I KNEW if I picked a random major someone would have a kid who majored in it!!

I guess my point was this, you don't open the classifieds and see ads for Art History majors!!

Actually, I have a niece who has that very degree and works for the Smithsonian - it was sort of a family joke (about majoring in Art History) and then I ran into her dad at a funeral and he told me what she was majoring in I had to bite my tongue!!

LOL!

It wouldn't have been my choice of major but so far she's made it work

**MaryCarney** · 10-19-2009, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by nancycg56

LOL!

It wouldn't have been my choice of major but so far she's made it work

I guess I didn't make myself completely clear. Our kids are welcome and free to major in Basket Weaving if that's what they really want, we just don't feel compelled to pay for it!!
Another thought on the subject- DD#4 loves art and drawing and is a competitive swimmer. She plans to become a police officer, possibly be a volunteer swim coach and pursue art as a hobby. She's planning college courses to take in high school which will allow her to take a minor in art when she 'goes' to college.
I think many of today's aspiring college students can't see past 'what do I like to do' - as if earning a living is based on always liking what you do!! I'd love to be able to earn a living eating chocolate and watching Monty Python's Flying Circus!!

**NcsstyBrdsIngnty** · 10-19-2009, 05:11 PM

I just wanted to comment about something my soon to be DH said to me once: In order to graduate from High School you should be required to take one class in day-to-day finances that goes over everything from checkbooks, the true cost of loans (especially student loans!), CCs, and other financial matters you might come across in daily life (401k investments, emergency funds, etc).

It stunned me to realize that beyond balancing a checkbook when I graduated HS I didn't know much about the world I was stepping foot into. Just a thought anyway. . . .

**MaryCarney** · 10-19-2009, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by NcsstyBrdsIngnty

I just wanted to comment about something my soon to be DH said to me once: In order to graduate from High School you should be required to take one class in day-to-day finances that goes over everything from checkbooks, the true cost of loans (especially student loans!), CCs, and other financial matters you might come across in daily life (401k investments, emergency funds, etc).

It stunned me to realize that beyond balancing a checkbook when I graduated HS I didn't know much about the world I was stepping foot into. Just a thought anyway. . . .

You know, Dave Ramsey has a high school curriculum. It is taught in many high schools around the country, but you can buy it for home use, too!!

**Jenibelle** · 10-20-2009, 09:39 AM

I'm so glad to see how people have expanded on my original post!

**Siebrie** · 10-21-2009, 05:29 AM

Am I worried? You bet! I have two children headed for big time debt and I see no way their respective degrees (history and english) are going to earn them enough money to pay it off promptly to allow them a decent quality of life after graduation. (Peanut)

Peanut, I have a degree in English (Bachelor)! I now work as a PA and make $ 71,000 per year before tax. Just make sure your kid knows how to type and there'll always be a job for him/her.

**Dancing Lotus** · 10-21-2009, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by NcsstyBrdsIngnty

I just wanted to comment about something my soon to be DH said to me once: In order to graduate from High School you should be required to take one class in day-to-day finances that goes over everything from checkbooks, the true cost of loans (especially student loans!), CCs, and other financial matters you might come across in daily life (401k investments, emergency funds, etc).

It stunned me to realize that beyond balancing a checkbook when I graduated HS I didn't know much about the world I was stepping foot into. Just a thought anyway. . . .

I am inclined to agree with the ex DH. However , It's sad that most parents don't know they should be doing this at home. The school system doesn't have enough time and budget to teach a class like this. But I agree that it's needed.