[POLL] Do you have a college degree?

[Uncurlhalo]

Just wondering personally. Also if you like comment on whether you think having or not having a degree has helped or hurt you, international opinions would be interesting too. What say the Bitcoin forums? If you think there should be other options I guess just say.

[John (John K.)]

I'm going on course for one next year. Still deciding between which type of degree though.
See my past thread about this: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=129183.0

[Lethn]

I dunno what to call my thing but all I got was an A Level Diploma in games design, no university degree ( Yes I know what you're all probably going to say ) and I promise you it has done absolutely fuck all for my future prospects and it certainly didn't help in helping me get a job in the games industry because developers know it's a load of bullshit. Currently I'm learning how to make proper Jewellery from just a sheet of metal and to draw and that's massively increased my prospects of actually selling something tangible that people want which is far better than a job because I don't have to rely on anyone to do that.

If you do go for a degree or something like it the only advice I can offer you since I avoid the whole system now is that you should go for something real that lets you produce something, don't go for these crappy history degrees and things like that because while they may teach 'things' they won't get you a job and that's details that the people trying to get you onto these places will conveniently leave out. Pick a market, pick a specific job, maybe even do research into getting exactly what you need and work around that, don't fall for all the bullshit pie in the sky lying that got me into the mess I'm in now, I'm only just managing to repair the damage done to my education and it's because I worked my arse off.

[odolvlobo]

Just wondering personally. Also if you like comment on whether you think having or not having a degree has helped or hurt you, international opinions would be interesting too. What say the Bitcoin forums? If you think there should be other options I guess just say.

Having a degree has certainly helped me as a software engineer, though some can get by without one. In my opinion, there are two questions to answer: why do you want to get a degree, and how much you are willing to pay for one. Someone that goes $80k into debt to get a degree in English Literature hasn't thought  about it. Some people get a degree just for the achievement, or the satisfaction or for the education. That's fine as long as you have at considered the cost.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

I did not, although I was awarded a scholarship to MIT (not a joke) but didn't know of it until over two years later when I met my former math teacher in line at a Ben Franklin's (department store). She informed me that my parents, namely my dad, strictly informed the powers that be at the school that I was not going to college nor was I to be made aware of the scholarship's existence. The bottom line was that it would affect the bottom line of the household with five other siblings to tend to. He told them that I would enter the workforce as he did, working at a factory till retirement.

My SAT scores where 800/720 reflecting a perfect math score, and I aced the ASVAB test without studying (not available at that time I don't think) to enter the Navy. I'm one of the few that never served on a boat ship, for they had other plans for me.

In retrospect, I don't think I would have done well in college, mainly due to not being mentally prepared for the workload, although I was the nerd in HS who commonly carried ten books to each class through a maze of anti-nerds whose goal was to knock the books out of my hands. It's acts like that, I believe, that are prerequisites for some who become police officers.

~Bruno K~

[AmDD]

Ive got both a degree and tech certifications. I dont think they have helped me much with Bitcoins, directly but They did help me get the job I have today which I enjoy.

[gweedo]

I am on my way to getting a degree, but I also get contacted a lot to drop out of school and help startups, thru my github, thru my school, and thru bitcoin projects. I always turn them down, just cause I want my degree first then I will worry about jobs.

[Uncurlhalo]

I am on my way to getting a degree, but I also get contacted a lot to drop out of school and help startups, thru my github, thru my school, and thru bitcoin projects. I always turn them down, just cause I want my degree first then I will worry about jobs.

I'm not dealing with an identical situation but it's rather a question of  "take 3 extra semesters to graduate and alternate between work and school with a prospective employer". I'm wondering if the extra time is worth the job experience when I could do the some thing through internships during summers and graduate on time.

[BitcoinINV]

I did not, although I was awarded a scholarship to MIT (not a joke) but didn't know of it until over two years later when I met my former math teacher in line at a Ben Franklin's (department store). She informed me that my parents, namely my dad, strictly informed the powers that be at the school that I was not going to college nor was I to be made aware of the scholarship's existence. The bottom line was that it would affect the bottom line of the household with five other siblings to tend to. He told them that I would enter the workforce as he did, working at a factory till retirement.

My SAT scores where 800/720 reflecting a perfect math score, and I aced the ASVAB test without studying (not available at that time I don't think) to enter the Navy. I'm one of the few that never served on a boat ship, for they had other plans for me.

In retrospect, I don't think I would have done well in college, mainly due to not being mentally prepared for the workload, although I was the nerd in HS who commonly carried ten books to each class through a maze of anti-nerds whose goal was to knock the books out of my hands. It's acts like that, I believe, that are prerequisites for some who become police officers.

~Bruno K~

Were you a FST sailor? They did not offer you a Enlisted to Officer plan?

[sd]

I have a UK university degree. Is that what Americans call a college degree? i.e. 3 years of full time study.

What's a professional degree? Some form of vocational training or something else?

[Uncurlhalo]

I have a UK university degree. Is that what Americans call a college degree? i.e. 3 years of full time study.

What's a professional degree? Some form of vocational training or something else?

Yeah what you have is equivalent to a college degree. And yes a technical/professional degree is more along the lines of vocational work.

[OpenYourEyes]

I wish.
I have a Computing diploma which I obtained to get me onto a Computer Security degree course that I've been working damn hard towards, but my University has recently kicked me out because I owe them just shy of £1000 in tuition fees out of the £6000 I have to pay per year, and given me till mid January to find the sums or be kicked out for good.

How on earth any University can expect any young, working class, part time employed person to find that much money with no help or support from the government is beyond me.

Early twenties, dead end job, and on the verge of bankruptcy, I have little hope that I will ever gain a degree.

[Uncurlhalo]

I wish.
I have a Computing diploma which I obtained to get me onto a Computer Security degree course that I've been working damn hard towards, but my University has recently kicked me out because I owe them just shy of £1000 in tuition fees out of the £6000 I have to pay per year, and given me till mid January to find the sums or be kicked out for good.

How on earth any University can expect any young, middle class, part time employed person to find that much money with no help or support from the government is beyond me.

Early twenties, dead end job, and on the verge of bankruptcy, I have little hope that I will ever gain a degree.

Hello! I know those feels! ~10,000 USD per semester pursuing a degree in electrical engineering is putting me back a bit. Thankfully i have some aid from savings with my family and the like but I will still graduate with ~37,000 USD in debt from loans over 8 semesters. I feel you, seeing as my only employment this whole time is on-campus for like 15 hours a week at like almost minimum wage, unless I can find an internship with a minute if not more generous stipend.

[malevolent]

I wish.
I have a Computing diploma which I obtained to get me onto a Computer Security degree course that I've been working damn hard towards, but my University has recently kicked me out because I owe them just shy of £1000 in tuition fees out of the £6000 I have to pay per year, and given me till mid January to find the sums or be kicked out for good.

How on earth any University can expect any young, middle class, part time employed person to find that much money with no help or support from the government is beyond me.

Early twenties, dead end job, and on the verge of bankruptcy, I have little hope that I will ever gain a degree.

Pounds? If you are in the UK AFAIK you can apply for a cheap government loan with very repayment conditions (installments are paid only if you are employed and earn at least 21000 pound sterling per year).
But if you are studying in the UK and have come from outside the EU you might not get the loan.

I did not, although I was awarded a scholarship to MIT (not a joke) but didn't know of it until over two years later when I met my former math teacher in line at a Ben Franklin's (department store). She informed me that my parents, namely my dad, strictly informed the powers that be at the school that I was not going to college nor was I to be made aware of the scholarship's existence. The bottom line was that it would affect the bottom line of the household with five other siblings to tend to. He told them that I would enter the workforce as he did, working at a factory till retirement.
My SAT scores where 800/720 reflecting a perfect math score, and I aced the ASVAB test without studying (not available at that time I don't think) to enter the Navy. I'm one of the few that never served on a boat ship, for they had other plans for me.
In retrospect, I don't think I would have done well in college, mainly due to not being mentally prepared for the workload, although I was the nerd in HS who commonly carried ten books to each class through a maze of anti-nerds whose goal was to knock the books out of my hands. It's acts like that, I believe, that are prerequisites for some who become police officers.
~Bruno K~

Wow, I would've been angry if my parents did that to me. Is your opinion that you would not have done well in college your own or was it influenced by your dad?

[Lethn]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/datablog/2012/aug/15/students-tuition-fees-2012-league-table-data

[OpenYourEyes]

I wish.
I have a Computing diploma which I obtained to get me onto a Computer Security degree course that I've been working damn hard towards, but my University has recently kicked me out because I owe them just shy of £1000 in tuition fees out of the £6000 I have to pay per year, and given me till mid January to find the sums or be kicked out for good.

How on earth any University can expect any young, middle class, part time employed person to find that much money with no help or support from the government is beyond me.

Early twenties, dead end job, and on the verge of bankruptcy, I have little hope that I will ever gain a degree.

Hello! I know those feels! ~10,000 USD per semester pursuing a degree in electrical engineering is putting me back a bit. Thankfully i have some aid from savings with my family and the like but I will still graduate with ~37,000 USD in debt from loans over 8 semesters. I feel you, seeing as my only employment this whole time is on-campus for like 15 hours a week at like almost minimum wage, unless I can find an internship with a minute if not more generous stipend.

Seems like only the rich can get far in this life.
It's good to hear though you've got savings and loans available, the debt will be worth it in the long run.
I've got myself into a huge mess by taking out every credit card/payday loan available to help me pay the tuition fees, that no company will offer me any more sort of credit.

Pounds? If you are in the UK AFAIK you can apply for a cheap government loan with very repayment conditions (installments are paid only if you are employed and earn at least 21000 pound sterling per year).
But if you are studying in the UK and have come from outside the EU you might not get the loan.

I'm not entitled to any sort of government (SLC) funding or loans, because they paid for me to get my diploma, which ironically was the only way for me to get onto my degree course.

[Uncurlhalo]

I wish.
I have a Computing diploma which I obtained to get me onto a Computer Security degree course that I've been working damn hard towards, but my University has recently kicked me out because I owe them just shy of £1000 in tuition fees out of the £6000 I have to pay per year, and given me till mid January to find the sums or be kicked out for good.

How on earth any University can expect any young, middle class, part time employed person to find that much money with no help or support from the government is beyond me.

Early twenties, dead end job, and on the verge of bankruptcy, I have little hope that I will ever gain a degree.

Hello! I know those feels! ~10,000 USD per semester pursuing a degree in electrical engineering is putting me back a bit. Thankfully i have some aid from savings with my family and the like but I will still graduate with ~37,000 USD in debt from loans over 8 semesters. I feel you, seeing as my only employment this whole time is on-campus for like 15 hours a week at like almost minimum wage, unless I can find an internship with a minute if not more generous stipend.

Seems like only the rich can get far in this life.
It's good to hear though you've got savings and loans available, the debt will be worth it in the long run.
I've got myself into a huge mess by taking out every credit card/payday loan available to help me pay the tuition fees, that no company will offer me any more sort of credit.

Pounds? If you are in the UK AFAIK you can apply for a cheap government loan with very repayment conditions (installments are paid only if you are employed and earn at least 21000 pound sterling per year).
But if you are studying in the UK and have come from outside the EU you might not get the loan.

I'm not entitled to any sort of government (SLC) funding or loans, because they paid for me to get my diploma, which ironically was the only way for me to get onto my degree course.

In the US tuition wasn't that insane twenty years ago. But since then it's seen like some insane increase of like 700% over that time. It's ridiculous now. My father got his degree at a tuition of 1,200$ per semester. And this was in like 1979 or something like that. And my grandfather paid like 400$ a year for his in the 50's. Even with inflation education costs have hit high gear for some reason. It's fucking madness.

[OpenYourEyes]

In the US tuition wasn't that insane twenty years ago. But since then it's seen like some insane increase of like 700% over that time. It's ridiculous now. My father got his degree at a tuition of 1,200$ per semester. And this was in like 1979 or something like that. And my grandfather paid like 400$ a year for his in the 50's. Even with inflation education costs have hit high gear for some reason. It's fucking madness.

I'm not sure how the American system works with paying/loaning tuition fees, but it really is madness. I really feel for the next generation and the fees they'll have to pay to get far in life.

[Uncurlhalo]

In the US tuition wasn't that insane twenty years ago. But since then it's seen like some insane increase of like 700% over that time. It's ridiculous now. My father got his degree at a tuition of 1,200$ per semester. And this was in like 1979 or something like that. And my grandfather paid like 400$ a year for his in the 50's. Even with inflation education costs have hit high gear for some reason. It's fucking madness.

I'm not sure how the American system works with paying/loaning tuition fees, but it really is madness. I really feel for the next generation and the fees they'll have to pay to get far in life.

At some point the madness will end. There will either be regulation on it or a few universities with sanity will offer a sensibly priced program and people will start putting price before prestige and the "high and mighty" schools will see giant revenue drops and things may eventual turn out better. But this can't continue.

[malevolent]

Price is governed by supply and demand (+ govt. intervention, which is why universities in UK charge no more than 9000 pounds sterling for EU students). With possibilities of learning online emerging - khan academy, coursera, open courseware, udacity etc., less people will by applying to ''normal'' unis.