The reality of obtaining a degree

This is a personal video produced by me.

The fact is that a degree will give you more freedom regardless of your future plans, if you are most of the way through then you should try to finish. I decided to go back to finish after a break, so I might be slightly biased.

The situation with financial aid sucks, I haven't had to deal with that problem in Australia financial aid is federalised and has less limitations. Although I'm a bit peeved that the students who enrol in a science degree now pay half of what I pay for the same subject...

With regards to off the grid living, I was interested in that in my early 20s, the key difficulties were of course food and water (solar energy and housing is relatively cheap off the grid..).
I'm wondering how living off the grid in a desert area can be considered sustainable given limited water resources (thus needing to regularly transport food and water reasonable distances).

I personally feel insulted by the public education system here in the US. I feel that students continue to accept the financial changes that are happening rather than address the situation with the most effective response - drop out. The thing is that I am now noticing most students are left high and dry with no actual skill or interest in creativity! They are left at the mercy of the job market, which, we all know sucks in the US right now.

Although I do see benefits in obtaining a degree, I view that the public education system has seriously lacked in explaining other basic options to students - pursuing creativity and knowledge independently. Students feel subjected to the school system and that they ABSOLUTELY have to go to school to be worthy of any serious career or obtain any kind of knowledge. As mentioned, I have met a number of people who are working in a field that relates nothing to their career, or have had to settle with miniscule positions despite their academic superiority.

I believe that creativity can go a long way for those who are serious about it.

As for the desert, living "off the grid" may not be the most accurate terminology :) Yes, water is imported and food is something that can be experimented with. I have been drawn to the desert ever since I was young, and have wanted to live there for years. My primary goal at the moment is to find methods to generate money online, or to obtain some kind of work where I am not required to commute everyday for a 9-5 job. Will a degree in Geology permit me to do that? I am skeptical.

Great video. I really agree with you here, and my personal experience confirms what you're saying. My father is an electrical engineer, specifically electronics and what was then knows as cybertronics (this is today, essentially, computer automation. Back then, in the early 80's, it was really high-end shit). Most of his classmates work in entirely different areas. He does too, really.
I also have a friend, who has an MA in History. He works in IT, and has worked in IT for his entire career.

Have you thought about continuing your education? Maybe in civil engineering? I'd imagine your geology experience would be useful there. Or even marine engineering? In your profile I read you specialise in Hydrology.

Ultimately, there are many other ways of making money; IT is a sector where degree really doesn't matter much (I'm an IT major, and I've learnt very little practical IT stuff over the past 2 years). Of course, if you're economically savvy, there's Forex trading.

Again, very nice video. You've really hit the nail on the head here. Thank you :).

Originally Posted by Magentastraberry

Students feel subjected to the school system and that they ABSOLUTELY have to go to school to be worthy of any serious career or obtain any kind of knowledge. As mentioned, I have met a number of people who are working in a field that relates nothing to their career, or have had to settle with miniscule positions despite their academic superiority.

Ah, the captured market.

The problem with the employment market is few are willing to take any sort of risk at all, so individuals must provide their own evidence for their ability to work as well as getting experience. How do you get such experience when employers are not willing to take such risks? We have a catch-22. University is seen as a sort of answer, but in many areas it is a poor one hence people with degrees getting jobs in unrelated areas.

Originally Posted by Snow Leopard

Ah, the captured market.

The problem with the employment market is few are willing to take any sort of risk at all, so individuals must provide their own evidence for their ability to work as well as getting experience. How do you get such experience when employers are not willing to take such risks? We have a catch-22. University is seen as a sort of answer, but in many areas it is a poor one hence people with degrees getting jobs in unrelated areas.

I agree. A degree is really "proof" of someone's ability to follow through with commitments, it really doesn't matter about the particular subject they are knowledgeable of.

Originally Posted by Magentastraberry

I agree. A degree is really "proof" of someone's ability to follow through with commitments, it really doesn't matter about the particular subject they are knowledgeable of.

I guess by following that vein of thought one could argue gaining a black belt in any martial art could show commitment or working somewhere for 3-5 years but then again that may narrow employment:p... although it seems many doing degrees forget employers seek 3 thinks (amongst many others): proving well roundedness from volunteering or interest groups, evidence of skills development and the ability to demonstrate productive time management in the form of study/family life/employment simultaneously.

Originally Posted by Magentastraberry

This is a personal video produced by me.

No offense, but I don't thing anyone in the right mind would listen to you when you tell them not to pursue a college education. You go to community college and live with your parents. And seems like on the verge to drop out. Like you say, you want to drop out. I'm not sure you know the risks involved, hopefully you have supportive family/friends that will catch you if your plans for living in a dessert don't work out. I'm not saying they won't but when I hear kids say things like this, the success rate is really low unless you have good connections in the field your passionate about. You have 0 experience in making it in the real world, don't try to educate the youth why college is bad for you. LOL. Some people go to college just to survive the corporate world, getting a job in something your passionate about is a luxury.

This mentality is scamming students. The majority of recent graduates are settling for low paying jobs that have nothing to do with their major, and many graduates in the long run will be working in a field that does not relate to their major. The reliance on public education to solve our problems is phenomenal and unrealistic. The solution I see is for students to drop out and to begin thinking creatively and use the internet and experience for real life knowledge, stop relying on a scamming institution that prepares students (zombies...) for a dead end in a life sucking job market.

To get to the broader picture... Is anyone else seriously offended to see Americans and others in the world at the mercy of conniving monopolies and corrupt corporations? Food, water, and technology being used in such a wasteful manner, yet we continue the support of going to college and getting a degree to live a lavish lifestyle. I am pissed, and you should be too. We need to address problems that go way deeper than a college education, and I feel it should all start by not going to college! Start being creative and observant!

Why Most College Graduates End Up Working in a Different Field Than Their Major

A degree will always help you. Try to get a degree in your field of interest.