Do you guys have college degrees?

[MarshallAbuser]

So I should be doing a project for a class I have in college. I'm in my 1st/2nd year at a community college. Long story short, I could have gone out of state to a 4yr program, but I decided to stay, go to a community college, work a bit, then transfer.

But now it's more like 'I hope I have the motivation to get an associate's degree'

I'm not a stupid perosn at all, the work isn't challenging. It's just that I am distracted by the same crap I was distracted with in highschool.

Also, I find myself wondering why I am even trying to get ANY kind of college degree, when I am not passionate or even remotely interested in pretty much ANY major offered (I have done plenty of research on all college majors) They say there's a major for everyone, but it's not really the case with me.

I love music, and yes, idealy I'd love to just sit around and get paid to make it, but I have no formal training, and frankly I enjoy just jamming and coming up with cool rock music.

I really need to just find something I would like to do for a living to make some decent money, without waiting tables making minimum wage inbetween gigs.

What I'm getting at is, for those who have college degrees and a good job the whole nine, any regrets about not trying to 'make it' with music, or not getting to where you wanted to be with music.

For those who dropped out/never wanted a degree, do you feel like you reached your full potential without a college degree? Any regrets about not going to school?

No, I'm not just trying to 'make it big' with music, but it's what I love to do, and making a good living off of it would be great.

I just don't want to be unhappy in life because I went and did something which I hate doing, or would rather not be doing as a career or job, or because I am stuck making chicken feed because I didn't go for that degree and get that better-paying job.



Maybe I'm just venting, but input is REALLY appreciated.

Thanks guys.

[img]/images/graemlins/help.gif[/img]

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

Don't worry. In five months, I'll have my BSc in Biotechnology, and I will be DJing at the local strip club. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[MarshallAbuser]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

hahaha, good call

[scaristei]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

Get a degree (4year) in anything....but get one ! You will find that not having a degree is one of the ways that HR "discounts" you and your abilities and takes you out of the "mix" for any position ! Here's a fun idea, go to Las Vegas U and get a degree in "hotel management"....YOu will be working for the rest of your live....and get paid well for it!.....Or go into "health care" and become a nurse (not my idea of a good time), but nurses will always work...always be paid relatively well! Both jobs will never be "out sourced"! ! !
But by all means...stick with it...jump through the hoops and get the degrees....you will never regret it ! Don't...and you will always regret it!

[MarshallAbuser]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

Hmmm, thanks for the advice, something to consider.

[Inazone]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

When I was in high school, I wanted to go to Music Tech, but my parents refused to help in any way if I did that. Something about not being a "real education" or something to that effect. I ended up getting my associate degree as a Certified Network Henchman or something like that.

Best decision I ever made. Due to the pay-to-play nature of the music scene around here, my job is what keeps my band functioning.

[MarshallAbuser]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

So you're doing good with 'just' an associate's degree?

I'm worried if I do get an Associates in something I am somewhat interested in instead of a bachelors with somehting I'm not interested at all in, I won't be as well off.

Thanks man, thats some inspiring news!

[rjohnstone]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

I have no degree... in fact I'm a high school drop out.
Most would say I'm the exception to the rule though.
I have a very well paying job, so close to six figures it might as well be after all the benefits are factored in.
I did bust my ass to get here though. While I try and stay close to the music industry, I realized long ago that it won't pay the bills. I've always had a passion for working with computers and put the needed energy in getting certified where possible and just plain studying my ass off on anything I can get my hands on.
Do I regret not getting a 4 year degree... a part of me does, but only for personal satisfaction. Not having one has not hurt my career in any way that matters to me.
The HR thing is relative. In the IT field, degrees are not all that they used to be. There are high school kids that can run circles around 90% of the college grads. I know... I used to be one of them. 15 years later, my resume speaks for itself.
I still think if you have the opportunity to get one, do it.
While it won't gaurantee you a job, it will help get your resume noticed when little things like experience are missing from it.

[MarshallAbuser]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

Hmm, thanks rjohnstone.

[Thrust]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

There are advantages and disadvantages to getting a college degree. The major disadvantage is that you may pass up decent jobs in **search** of some degree field you might like and end up resenting your degree and NOT have good job prospects. I have a B.A. and M.A. in Sociology. I could not find a decent job at all (go figure). Since I really love sociology however I decided to go on to get my Ph.D. and hopefully I'll find a suitable job soon after I recieve my degree. Also, keep in mind money is NOT everything. I'd rather have a job that affords me personal autonomy and a lax schedule but only pays "decent" rather than be hasseled, disrespected, and working 50+ hours per week (been there) making big $'s.

[MarshallAbuser]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

[ QUOTE ]
I'd rather have a job that affords me personal autonomy and a lax schedule but only pays "decent" rather than be hasseled, disrespected, and working 50+ hours per week (been there) making big $'s.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly. But thanks for the input. My sister just got her bachelors degree, i forget what in, but she is having a very hard time finding work.

I figure if it's just as hard with a 4yr degree than with a 2yr or no degree, why bother with it, just to prove I did it?

My parents will be behind me whatever I choose to do, hell if I wanted to be a plumber they would be supportive 100%, so there's no pressure that i HAVE to do this, but I'm just trying to justify getting a 4year degree.

[Thrust]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'd rather have a job that affords me personal autonomy and a lax schedule but only pays "decent" rather than be hasseled, disrespected, and working 50+ hours per week (been there) making big $'s.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly. But thanks for the input. My sister just got her bachelors degree, i forget what in, but she is having a very hard time finding work.

I figure if it's just as hard with a 4yr degree than with a 2yr or no degree, why bother with it, just to prove I did it?

My parents will be behind me whatever I choose to do, hell if I wanted to be a plumber they would be supportive 100%, so there's no pressure that i HAVE to do this, but I'm just trying to justify getting a 4year degree.

[/ QUOTE ]

There is nothing wrong with NOT going to college. Some people aren't cut out for college and that's absolutely fine. My statistics professor mentioned the other day that her "plumber" (funny you mentioned that) could buy her and sell her if he so desired. This is coming from someone labled as a "distinguished professor" by the university. So money/degree doesn't necessarily equal happiness.

However, that being said, don't rely on your "passion" (be it music or whatever) to provide a suitable career either. You'll end up with a job and passion that you hate. My advice would be to try the college route for at least 3-4 semesters. By doing this you will overcome (hopefully) the freshman tendancy to be "lost" and will know for certain if college is the right decision for you.

[nateb]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

I am happy with my decisions in life. I ended up giving up a whole lifestyle inorder to go back to school and get a degree. I ended graduating with a computer science degree and I do sometimes work 50 hours a week. Sometimes, it can be rough at work. But, corporate life isn't really that bad. All in all, I love my job and I love the way my life is. Because of the area that I live in, if I didn't make the decisions that I did, I would be 100's of miles away from my family.

Yeah, I never made it in music. But, I don't regret my decisions at all. Having a home in the Bay Area, being able to afford the guitar equipment I want, not living from paycheck to paycheck, not stressing about rent. Are all a outcome of sying "Fuck this shit" and going back to school. But, for me school was the only way to go. For others, as mentioned before, you could just start working a trade and dominate your little niche of the area and dominate.

You just gotta find out what your ray of sunshine is and go with it. It took me 3 years of being away from school to figure out what made me happy. But, no matter what you do, you have to work smart inorder to be successful in life.

-Nate

[Big D]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

I'd say get the degree while you can. I've been fortunate to "succeed" without one (I've been at Microsoft for 9 years now), but I'm the exception. Most people I work with have at minimum a Bachelor's and lots of them have MBA's.

It's tough to get past the HR department at most major companies without a 4 year degree. In many cases it doesn't even matter what the degree is in.

So now I'm older, have a family, and I'm trying to finish my degree by taking night classes. Let me tell you, I have no regrets about my career path, but I sure wish I'd taken those night classes when I was in my 20's and didn't have kids!!!

[MarshallAbuser]

Re: Do you guys have college degrees?

Thanks again guys.

Thrust- You might be right about the whole 'being lost' thing. I just think it is 987459852734897234 times worse starting off college career at a community college instead of being on my own and away from the same routine/rut as highschool.

I'm kicking myself now for not going away as a freshman.