Liberal Democrat says Algebra is not necessary

[Imran Siddiqui]

No, I was referring to the way HC's statement doesn't acknowledge the "party, get drunk and laid" motivation for men, but does acknowledge the "MRS" motivation for women. It seems he's something of a deviant who has gone to college for abnormal reasons

Truth.

Seriously... coming into Freshman year, the vast majority of guys weren't thinking "Awesome, 4 years to learn as much as I can so I can make tons of money".

[Fake Boris]

Why can't they do both?

In our traditional high school, you can take mechanics, electronics, etc.

If you're so inclined, you can also request a transfer to a "vocational high school" which is ~75% trades development and 25% "life skills".

Differences in education systems everywhere will make this discussion a bit more difficult.

In the case you're talking about, wouldn't it be a good idea to have comities suggesting a transfer to such school? It doesn't have to be condescending, just make it clear you're concerned about the kid doing something that he likes.

Regarding this:

Deciding that someone at 14 is too dumb for a high school diploma and college and should do a specific trde is pretty close to deciding their future.

a) it's not very difficult to figure out the difference between an unmotivated student and a struggling one
b) you can always go back to finish high school/college later. If you've been working a trade since 18 yo, at 25 you should be able to afford something like that.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

I don't understand why BA's in Creative Writing exist either.

I presume it's a sad runner up award to the real success of having a work published and making money off of it.

[Fake Boris]

I presume it's a sad runner up award to the real success of having a work published and making money off of it.

Look around you. There's a truckload of writing produced everyday.

It's a tough business, but not as much as it used to. And the BA can't hurt.

[Asher]

BA can hurt. It demonstrates a lack of foresight.

[Fake Boris]

blablabla

[Hauldren Collider]

Truth.

Seriously... coming into Freshman year, the vast majority of guys weren't thinking "Awesome, 4 years to learn as much as I can so I can make tons of money".

I wouldn't have put up with living in Pittsburgh for any other reason.

[loinburger]

My employers would be far more likely to hire somebody who did well in high school but never attended college than they would be to hire somebody with a BA in something worthless. The former indicates that the job candidate is smart but inexperienced, while the latter indicates that the job candidate is stupid.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

And the BA can't hurt.

Opportunity cost. Ouch.

[Al B. Sure!]

Opportunity cost. Ouch.

I don't think Oncle Boris is familiar with that concept.

[Hauldren Collider]

My employers would be far more likely to hire somebody who did well in high school but never attended college than they would be to hire somebody with a BA in something worthless. The former indicates that the job candidate is smart but inexperienced, while the latter indicates that the job candidate is stupid.

QFT

BA's can have fun serving coffee.

[Fake Boris]

I don't think you are familiar with the concept of doing something that you like.

How many writers has your company hired, Loin?

[Hauldren Collider]

Creative writing majors from CMU, counting only the ones that get jobs, have a median income upon graduation of 30k/year. CMU costs about 50k/year to attend. Median income in America is about 45k/year or so. Only about half of them actually get jobs at all, and of those that do, only five last year (if I recall correctly) got jobs anywhere in the industry.

So the actual mean income of CMU Creative Writing majors is something like $12k-15k/year.

On the other hand, virtually all CS students got jobs and the median income was $80k/year. The program I'm in (although I plan to switch to CS) was $70k/year.

[Fake Boris]

Creative writing majors from CMU, counting only the ones that get jobs, have a median income upon graduation of 30k/year. CMU costs about 50k/year to attend. Median income in America is about 45k/year or so. Only about half of them actually get jobs at all, and of those that do, only five last year (if I recall correctly) got jobs anywhere in the industry.

So the actual mean income of CMU Creative Writing majors is something like $12k-15k/year.

Obviously then getting into CMU without a scholarship or parental help is a poor option, but there are other universities around.

[Al B. Sure!]

So the actual mean income of CMU Creative Writing majors is something like $12k-15k/year.

No way. Even full-time minimum wage will get you $15K. But I guess they don't work full-time, hoping something will open up.