College education pays

hoser

Just saw this article on CNN, will get back later to comment on it.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/06/09/aoun.college.benefits/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

straightshooter

Despite what the WTS says, a college education generally benefits an individuals chances for a good high paying job. Of course there are always exceptions. But I have to agree with the CNN article.

No Room For George

I can see the WT cherry picking from this article in the near future. For instance although the articles states the following,

Boston, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Investor Peter Thiel has generated attention by making some provocative claims about America's colleges and universities. Thiel has labeled U.S. higher education "a bubble in the classic sense," and believes that college degrees are "overvalued."

The article also closes on this note,

American higher education is facing some complex issues. But a college education is still the most reliable ticket our citizens have to a lifetime of prosperity and advancement. By working together to resolve these challenges, we can ensure that college remains as secure an investment as ever.

The WT will selectively use the first paragraph along the lines of this, "Is there security after someone completes their higher education? One article quoted an expert as saying "college degrees are overvalued." This harmonizes with God's counsel at Psalms 146:3." They'll completely omit and ignore the rest of the article as it doesn't fit with their agenda.

jay88

I find it interesting that Jews worship the same God as JW's,...but are far better educated,.....Is YHWH, speaking something different in their ears.

fortis et liber

" The first years out of college can be difficult for some graduates, when their salaries are lower and their student loan debt is high. "

Boy, they got that right. I just graduated in December 2010 with approximately 180k in student loan debt; jobs in my filed start in the low 40's -- it sucks, big time.

But on the whole, especially in light of my life before (i.e. an indentured drone for the Borg) compared to life after, I began pursuing an education almost immediately, I have no regrets. For me, it really was important to do or work at something I believed in, something I was passionate about and hopefully, something that allows me to contribute to society in a meaningful way (as opposed to making drone converts).

~ Fortis

sir82

approximately 180k in student loan debt;

So it took you 20 years to get your degree?

Or maybe you lived at the Ritz-Carlton while studying?

fortis et liber

Sir82: I'm not following you -- where do you get 20yrs to get my degree or living at the Ritz-Carlton from, how do you figure this?

~ Fortis

serenitynow!

fortis, I think he's saying how could you have run up that high a figure. It does seem high. Did you go to law school or something?

Band on the Run

I'd like to see some cash now. Overall, college transformed my life and money was the least of it. It freed from any remain subjegation to the Witnesses. It was my transport to the upper middle class. Education allowed me to join a larger, literature culture. Most importantly, I acquired critical thinking skills that I apply in every facet of my life. It is strange to remember what it was like before college. Every course I took taught me valuable information.

I lived in a closed world where no read books besides JW literature. Also, I was exposed to fine art for the first time. College gave me a background to experience fine art, opera, classical music, poetry, design, a host of things. It gave me confidence.

College education used to be rare so graduates stood out as important. Now it is accepted more as a high school degree once was as a minimal level. Today's society requires much more detailed knowledge. As we need to know more and more, the Witness insistence on below the minimum has become stranger. Obviously, there is something that higher education provides that terrifies them.

Imagine what a college educated JW could contribute to the Society. It would be stunning. The problem is that education negates belief in the JW cult.

fortis et liber

serenitynow: I gathered as much, that Sir82 thought the figure was high however; it was his flippant reasoning I found annoying.

I was hoping that by asking him to clarify his logic he might come up with a more accurate supposition for such an admittedly high student loan debt. Like for instance, going to an expensive school (or schools) and perhaps maybe getting more than one degree. For the record, both of these possibilities are true.

I simply wanted to join the discussion on what I thought was an interesting topic by the OP and felt strongly enough about two points, that I wanted to comment on them. Namely, the cost of an education can be ridiculously high especially, as you start out in your new career and secondly, especially in light of my J-Dub experience, I think it was worth it (or will be in the long run, as the case may be).

His comment implied that I had to be lying about my student loan amount and, although I wish I was, I am not.

~ Fortis

College education pays

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