A positive consequence of the dreadful economy is education. OK you are probably thinking I am some kind of wacko, which I am. However, numerous people I know have returned to school. They all say now is the time. Evidently, low income equals higher education whether it be via loans, grants, and/or scholarships.
Colleges have always assisted with financing however, the economic struggles facilitated new challenges. Nowadays, tuition planners dedicate an enormous amount of time on financing assistance, including grants and scholarships. Prospective students must become enrolled students, as tuition is income for the colleges.
My friend lost her job in 2007 and drew unemployment while looking for work. Finally securing employment sometime in 2008, she was excited and relieved. After a few months, the position was eliminated and once again, she was relying to the unemployment while pounding the pavements but turned up nothing. With her saving almost exhausted, my friend looked into an online degree. Imagine this; at age 62, she is working on an online college degree to broaden her employ-ability! The school aided in securing the necessary financing, including a Pell Grant. Just imagine your mother or grandmother studying for a degree online.
How awesome would that be?
Second example is my youngest son. Last August he completed his associate of science degree in digital photography. Photography is a tough business in a good economy and Red found himself working for peanuts in a mall studio. After one year of brainless studio work, he decided to broaden his education. He said, “Now is the time; there are no relevant job opportunities in this economy.” Today Red is in London studying visual communications. Upon completion, he will have achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree. Again, the college assisted with financing and he obtained a grant as well a scholarship.
I am very proud of my friend and my son! Moreover, these are just two of many similar education stories I have heard. Seems to me this bad economy prompted higher education as a means of survival. What do you think is now the time for higher education? Have your friends and family engaged in education programs or college to secure new employment?
If your purpose in going back to school is to: learn something you always wanted to, feel better about yourself over the long term, and/or just to grasp for the missing hope in your life – then going back to school at this time may be very beneficial. However, if your purpose is to: improve your current financial position, increase your chances at obtaining decent employment, and/or prepare for a resurgeance in the overall worldwide economy – then you are wasting both your time and very precious monetary resources.
The overall economy is going to collapse very soon – as a result of the very foolish Keynesian Manipulations the western nations have continually adopted over the last three years. Moreover, even with massive domestic unemployment, the United States Government is issuing new employment visas at a breakneck pace. America’s Masonic Corporations honestly find it much cheaper to import foreign laborers, than to employ our unemployed and under-employed skilled laborers.
I [personally] have: an unemployed brother with BS, a nephew with a PHD working at the Stop & Shop, and a niece with an MS working for K-Mart. Meanwhile, many of my college educated friends are in the very same boat. Let’s be honest, for once, American Workers are expendable to the very corporations we helped build for years. Just look what Ford and General Motors did with all of that bailout money, they opened new factories in Mexico and laid off even more workers at home!
While I agree with part of what you say, it is a bit rash. Hopelessness shows no faith in God. I have hope for us. BTW- I don’t recall Ford Motors taking bail out money. In fact I think they were the only American car manufacturer that didn’t. Thanks for stopping by.
While I am severely pessimistic about this job market, economy, and country as a whole currently – I must put forth my opinion that an education is NEVER a bad thing. Even if you don’t use it the way you originally intended, learning about new things and expanding your horizons is never, ever negative. You will always utilize what you learned, to some extent, within the confines of your life.
I agree that if you are to pursue a higher education, now definitely is the most opportune timing. However, it should be done in a reasonable manner and with a plan towards the future. I realize that planning can be somewhat difficult in these unfamiliar times.
My sister accumulated so much debt from obtaining her master’s degree and really didn’t have a plan for repayment or actual employment goals. As a result, student loans/debt never go away for your entire life, and that can hinder ones future if you aren’t able to defer payment post-graduation.
That being said, alot of employers/fields require higher education. However, many positions out there are available with just a high school diploma. A degree doesn’t substitute for good ol’ fashioned hard-work and ingenuity. And what I mean by that is, alot of people assume that the piece of the paper is their meal ticket into better or higher paying jobs, when alot of employers look for good work traits (efficiency, punctuality, multi-tasking, friendliness, etc.) more than anything else. I have been able to land decent/good paying jobs with merely my personality attributes and work ethic and I am only a high school graduate. Granted, not everybody is in the same shoes as me and I don’t expect them to be.
My father earned his bachelor’s in Nuclear Physics. He’s a brilliant man, however, earnings in the science field are minuscule at best. He found that it was impossible to support a wife, 2 kids and his family back in Malaysia on this income. As a result, he had to set up his own business and take matters into his own hands. And that is part of the problem – this country is so backwards with it’s income payout structure and it seems as though we have become an entertainment-based nation. So if you are seeking a degree, make sure the ends justifies the means. Make sure the earning power is sufficient or greater than what you plan to spend obtaining the degree. And of course, remember too that everything is up to the individual. Hard work, honesty,and integrity will always pay off in the end and we must stay true to ourselves and each other, no matter what the economic conditions. I agree with Kathy, have faith.
I hope that any part of what I wrote is helpful and does not come off as condescending, as that was never my intention.
Not condescending by any means. A very good point you make with the ends justifying the means. As for the country, it needs some severe “soul searching” by it’s leader first. They really need to promote (and believe in) respect, honor, intelligence, and gratitude before self! Thanks for your response, very much appreciated!
You’re absolutely right – this is a great time to go back to school. As someone who works in education financing, the biggest thing I can recommend is that anyone considering going back to school does their research about the costs before committing. Many schools now have “net price calculators” on their websites (all school will be required to by next fall) that help you calculate whether you can afford going to their institutions. Make sure to use them and come up with a solid plan for how you will pay for college before setting foot on campus. Use loans only as a last resort, and shop around to make sure that you’ll be able to afford to pay them back when you’re done. Good luck to all those going back to school!