Comments on: Reflections on the Goal of College http://noisyastronomer.com/2009/02/28/reflections-of-the-goal-of-college/ Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:33:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rob Waclawski http://noisyastronomer.com/2009/02/28/reflections-of-the-goal-of-college/#comment-244 Rob Waclawski Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:30:26 +0000 http://astronoise.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/reflections-of-the-goal-of-college/#comment-244 Awesome post. I don't suppose you'd be against it if I was to add your site to my link exchange directory? Awesome post. I don’t suppose you’d be against it if I was to add your site to my link exchange directory?

]]> By: Nicole http://noisyastronomer.com/2009/02/28/reflections-of-the-goal-of-college/#comment-243 Nicole Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:57:00 +0000 http://astronoise.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/reflections-of-the-goal-of-college/#comment-243 Thanks, Mark. Yes, my mom always said she'd support whatever I chose to do in school, even if it was underwater basketweaving. I guess baskets don't have a good academic rap?<br/><br/>Best of luck with working on your degree! Thanks, Mark. Yes, my mom always said she’d support whatever I chose to do in school, even if it was underwater basketweaving. I guess baskets don’t have a good academic rap?

Best of luck with working on your degree!

]]> By: Mark http://noisyastronomer.com/2009/02/28/reflections-of-the-goal-of-college/#comment-242 Mark Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:46:00 +0000 http://astronoise.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/reflections-of-the-goal-of-college/#comment-242 Excellent post Nichole. As I approach my 20 year college reunion, I too have had many changes in the view/value of a college education. As an undergrad I started as a Biology major but graduated with a business degree. Very helpful for having fun but so generic they are a dime-a-dozen; however, deep inside, I desperately wanted to be a physics/astronomy major. Unfortunately, I had difficulty with those classes at that time and had a lot of push from parents to pursue a degree with a purpose, meaning biology=pre-med, physics=academia=Phd and working at a fast food restaurant. <br/>Although I don't have a graduate degree, I have two undergraduate degrees, and have a great job. So, a degree for the purpose of obtaining a job does have its value, all be it materialistic and superficial.<br/>I totally agree that their are people who should wait to attend college. There are so many things people can do prior to college that will help them not only mature but even off-set the cost.<br/>I am really interested in hearing more of your thoughts on this matter. In turn, I will keep you posted as I begin my graduate degree (in two years) in Astronomy. Yes, I will make it and although it will not guide or make my primary career, I will achieve it for myself and for a post-retirement career.<br/>I always tell my son that college is important but it should be for something you feel passionate about, be that math, science or basket weaving. Just love what you are pursuing. Excellent post Nichole. As I approach my 20 year college reunion, I too have had many changes in the view/value of a college education. As an undergrad I started as a Biology major but graduated with a business degree. Very helpful for having fun but so generic they are a dime-a-dozen; however, deep inside, I desperately wanted to be a physics/astronomy major. Unfortunately, I had difficulty with those classes at that time and had a lot of push from parents to pursue a degree with a purpose, meaning biology=pre-med, physics=academia=Phd and working at a fast food restaurant.
Although I don’t have a graduate degree, I have two undergraduate degrees, and have a great job. So, a degree for the purpose of obtaining a job does have its value, all be it materialistic and superficial.
I totally agree that their are people who should wait to attend college. There are so many things people can do prior to college that will help them not only mature but even off-set the cost.
I am really interested in hearing more of your thoughts on this matter. In turn, I will keep you posted as I begin my graduate degree (in two years) in Astronomy. Yes, I will make it and although it will not guide or make my primary career, I will achieve it for myself and for a post-retirement career.
I always tell my son that college is important but it should be for something you feel passionate about, be that math, science or basket weaving. Just love what you are pursuing.

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