Thread: Go to Uni? Or learn a trade? What's the future?

Biggest hiding I ever got from my dad was when I got caught smoking around the side of the house, probably about 10 years old.

The hiding wasn't for smoking though, it was because I was doing it next to the heating oil tank.

I teach at a large state university in the U.S. What I've seen in the past 20 years of doing this, is that the average 18-22 year old is not yet an adult in terms of thinking skills. Even though a college education is not worth a lot in many cases, I still think a graduate is better off for getting a few extra years to brain-mature.

Of course, lots of smart people didn't go to college, and lots of kids don't really benefit from their "education". But it's clear that college is necessary for most white-collar professions.

Kids don't know what they want. Uni is just the default pathway to extend childhood into their 20s before facing up to the reality of earning a crust. Not a judgement, just an observation. If they choose a vocation at uni that ends up actually working out for a life career it will be unlikely pot luck so not worth worrying too much about.

As a child I enjoyed torturing insects. I gave serious thought to becoming an entomologist so I could put something back into the world of insects from how much they had taught me during all the dissections and experimental limb removals, but it never happened.

Some of the best criminals on the face of the planet were Uni educated.

They are well spoken, they were highly intelligent and had the right connections.

Never ever knock the University Education, it keeps dumb people in their place.

Jesus,

Only a retard would say that a Uni education is not worth completing.

Any higher Education is a privilege.

Hence why so many Thais are Dumb Mo Fo's, no chance of higher education or even an average education.

Sadly they'll always need police. Nowadays a Uni degree is mandatory for large city and state positions that pay well.
As you know the military promotes itself as a great way to earn educational credits towards an advanced education once you've completed your commitment.

The toughest part of youth is not really knowing what area of expertise that one wants to pursue for the long term. Uni definitely brings about social interaction...which in itself is a double-edged sword.

Good luck with Part II...Financing a Four Year Education .

^

The problem with Seppo land is that in many States it seems to be that higher educated applicants need not apply.

Given the dismal rate of pay I rest my case.

Not to mention that a uni degree is now required to drop out, move to Thailand and become a Tefler

^

Funny thing is that an experienced Uni qualified teacher in Thailand can pull 100k a month no problem where as the broke arsed Tefler pulls 30K if lucky.

Do a degree in pure science like physics or chemistry and then train to be a pilot.

^

Yes well,

There aint many Public educated school boys flying An A380.

I haven't read every post in this thread, but I did read most. (Do I get a star or something?) What I did see is jobs, jobs, jobs. What I didn't is entrepreneurial goodies.

World pop going up and economies going down. The Great Ponzi Scheme is stuttering, who knows where it'll end. What with AI, automation and cheap labour.

Every second idiot carts a wheelbarrow full of useless degrees around. It's a nightmare out there.

Entrepreneurial skill and more importantly, mindset, is the best bet IMHO for a future we can't read and which we are sending our children into. That is something very few learn at a young age, when it should be learnt. Lots of time to experiment and make mistakes before the demands of a family comes along.


Layer a practical technical skill on top of that and Bob's your uncle.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Education in Canada is an example of where socialism succeeds. Our universities are dirt cheap to go to in comparison to American [no $200 million football stadiums is one good reason why] they are full of foreign students for that reason. A number of Canadian universities rank in the top 100 worldwide bye polls ive seen some of the best are Toronto, McGill in Montreal but that's a different world more like Europe then America they may come back very changed I know my niece did to her parents shock. Theres one in Vancouver too ranked in the top 3 in Canada.

But even still will there be jobs, ive lived in University cities most of my life and I see them talk about the never ending quest their on for more courses, more papers, more degrees just to keep up with those who have a ba, a msc and a phd. A trade may be great if its one that lasts into the future ie plumber, welders are in huge demand right now but will it last through robotization?

A lot of food for thought on this thread.

If i was in your shoes i'd push for a Uni education.

Put's them ahead of the queue for a career.

Many are undecided in their career path as teenagers but after a few years around like minded individuals at Uni they will make the choice.

The main problem for you as a parent is guiding them to the correct Uni and helping them with the funding, all the best.

I'm hoping in future years mine will opt for our local Uni which is the third best in the UK, so i can keep an eye on things.

Uni isn't all about degrees and job prospects, as one may come to believe from some comments here, it's also about personality building as well as acquiring & developing intellectual skills.

Originally Posted by pulvarien

Education in Canada is an example of where socialism succeeds. Our universities are dirt cheap to go to in comparison to American .

Just talking top Private schools.

In Perth the most expensive one is around 26K a year just to walk through the door.

Then there is the other add ons like uniforms, books and the yearly International school trip.

Then after year 12 it's on to University and the real money kicks off.

Whats it cost in Canada. ?

Not hard to see how Mr Average is pushing shit up hill trying to provide higher education for his kid or kids.

Oh well, just keep working till ya die just to do it.

Originally Posted by can123

Do a degree in pure science like physics or chemistry and then train to be a pilot.

Physics and Maths are the pre-requisites for aspiring pilots.

On reflection I believe that a university education is an essential part of training for adulthood. Young people need to challenge themselves socially and academically. The major difficulty in getting a useful degree, at a recognised university, is cost. The best universities acquire their reputation by selection, academic rigour and research, plus they are all based in the west.
Is your son worthy of such investment? Have you considered Aus or NZ to get them a decent degree and a useful perspective on the wider world?

^

First thing is to have a look at ones bank account.

Originally Posted by TheDukeofNewcastle

Have you considered Aus or NZ to get them a decent degree and a useful perspective on the wider world?

Haven't looked at NZ as I know little about it. My brother was there recently and loved it, but said it was over-the-top expensive. Got a uni recommendation I could look at? One good thing is it's much closer to home than the US. My twins are Americans, but Asian-looking - how do Asians fare in NZ?

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

but said it was over-the-top expensive

That's a little surprising to hear, do you know where he was?

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Got a uni recommendation I could look at?

Depends on the course (i.e. some Unis in NZ are better for certain courses than others) but a good start would be Otago University: University of Otago, celebrating 147 years as New Zealand's first university

It used to have a bit of a reputation as a 'party university' but that was undeserved in my opinion (and has subsided since regardless) and I think that for the full package (education, environment, experience) it takes some beating.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

how do Asians fare in NZ?

Reasonably / relatively well. There has been an Asian population in NZ since early settlement and as far as universities go Asian students aren't a new thing.

^Thanks, will take a look at that Uni. I don't know exactly where he went - two-week tour. He had done a few weeks in OZ first, and liked NZ more, but said it was more expensive.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Haven't looked at NZ as I know little about it. My brother was there recently and loved it, but said it was over-the-top expensive. Got a uni recommendation I could look at? One good thing is it's much closer to home than the US. My twins are Americans, but Asian-looking - how do Asians fare in NZ?

^Ant has more relevant info than me. It's probably where he honed his debating skills.
Three years in Otago will mean adding thermals to the budget. The only other place I know where you can ski and surf on the same day is Cyprus.
I believe Wellington has 2 or 3 unis. On North Island, windy but not so cold. Auckland is probably the most expensive area of all.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

He had done a few weeks in OZ first, and liked NZ more, but said it was more expensive

Wow, that's genuinely surprising. Maybe I've been gone too long.

Anways some others you might want to check out are:

The University of Waikato

Welcome to the University of Canterbury, New Zealand - Nau mai, haere mai ki te Whare Wananga o Waitaha - Christchurch - New Zealand | University of Canterbury

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en.html

That would be my own order of personal preference so make of that what you will!

One thing about Otago is that it's bottom of the South Island so that would mean extra travel expense.

Originally Posted by TheDukeofNewcastle

It's probably where he honed his debating skills

I agree...or do I.

Originally Posted by TheDukeofNewcastle

Three years in Otago will mean adding thermals to the budget. The only other place I know where you can ski and surf on the same day is Cyprus

Surf beaches, skiing... It's brilliant. Mind, no where in NZ is that far from the ocean.

Originally Posted by TheDukeofNewcastle

I believe Wellington has 2 or 3 unis.

Actually that's a good point don't know why I blanked on Welly. I'd probably have that in preference to Auckland.

^ My guess he went to Queenstown (tourist town) if he found it more expensive than Australia. As a general rule NZ is cheaper than Oz. Auckland is expensive for accommodation.
The various unis in NZ are all reputable to very good, but your choice should be on what they want to study. Otago is best for medical, University of Auckland has a great engineering department, Auckland University of Technology is a relative newcomer and seems ok but hasn't earned a reputation yet (my son is there). Waikato is a bit of a party uni and may suit agricultural subjects (my daughter went there). You need to choose on their respective strengths.