Odd Girl Out again........
I have three degrees, two of which I don't "use." The English one has helped me make a living; the music ones have helped me make a life. Granted, my undergrad was almost totally paid for with merit-based scholarships (my parents got money back after room, board, and books my freshman year.) I also got an assistantship for graduate school. Thus, I did not have the crippling debt kids face today, thank all deities. But there's a different mindset between "going to college to learn something" and "going to college to get a job." Many of those who choose the latter end up jobless anyway.
Cheryl Richardson, a moderately woo-woo self-help/motivational guru whom I like a lot, suggested that people delay college until their 30th birthday. They should graduate from high school and then give themselves a chance to try a little bit of everything before they shell out years of life and scads of money on a gamble. Makes sense to me.
T
PS The aforementioned Ms. Richardson has no college degree and makes a FUCKTON more money than I do.
PPS I teach at one of the few comprehensive high schools left in the country. Our students' vocational programs are on-site, not at a separate facility. Those who find a viable career path in high school have a huge advantage over those who go to our local two-year college to "find themselves."