Is college worth it?

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Shingledecker

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This is my 2nd thread! The point is about me getting a degree. I've been playing with the idea with getting some from of a degree in biology leaning towards botany. I'm 27 and I realize that I can't do this hard labor work for the rest of my life but I love what I do. If I become a Arborist with a degree, well the point is, is it worth it? And if you know how much would arborist make with a degree? thanks
 
It's worth it for me. I truly believe in the value of higher education- But each situation is different.

If you own a business, the experience, not necessarily the degree, should help you with communication, marketing strategy, contacts, etc..

If you are working for someone else, ie. a big company, your opportunity for advancement should be greater, and you have more options if you would decide to change paths.

Pay scales vary greatly depending on what your job is and where you are located. Most of the "tree related" jobs (that require a degree) that I see in this area have to do with municipalities, or governmental agencies. They are middle class jobs in this area. $35-$45K. If you go to work for a utility, probably $10-$20k more per year.
 
This is my 2nd thread! The point is about me getting a degree. I've been playing with the idea with getting some from of a degree in biology leaning towards botany. I'm 27 and I realize that I can't do this hard labor work for the rest of my life but I love what I do. If I become a Arborist with a degree, well the point is, is it worth it? And if you know how much would arborist make with a degree? thanks

I think this is spam,, or,,,,
Jeff :confused:
 
I'm your age but I'm a jaded #######. don't go to school. Learn to climb, trash your body and live with regret and tendinitis. Oh yeah, Whiskey helps!!............................................Just kidding, get a damn education.
 
Dum bastards like me survive on hard work gutz n determination and a hole lodda luck
smart bastards get educated and have a hole lodda dum bastards like me workin their gutz out makin the smart bastards wealthy
go to man school get educated and be a nice smart educated boss :msp_thumbup:
the operative being NICE
NEVER FORGET WHOS BACK YOUR RIDING ON
Mind how ya go ;)
 
College is expensive, and will demand an enormous amount of your time. Are you planning to go full time or part time? How are you planning to pay for it?

And, it will likely only do you an ounce of good if you complete your degree.

If you have a way to pay tuition and keep yourself living, and you have the dedication to complete the course of study that interests you, then do it.

I went through a lot of school, but I had to so that I could have the career that I wanted. Frankly, it was hell, and I could have bought a very nice house for what I had to pay. But, to me, it was worth it.

You may want to look into what kind of income you can expect from having the degree and profession you want to get into. If you can't get the job you want, does the selected degree offer a plan B? Do those numbers make sense? Otherwise, if you're looking to run your own business, you may be better off taking some classes for your own enrichment from the local community college, but not necessarily pursuing a formal degree.


Generally speaking, I think people are better off for having gone through higher education programs, but it doesn't always make sense if, in the end, your investment in the degree isn't returned in a career.
 
This is my 2nd thread! The point is about me getting a degree. I've been playing with the idea with getting some from of a degree in biology leaning towards botany. I'm 27 and I realize that I can't do this hard labor work for the rest of my life but I love what I do. If I become a Arborist with a degree, well the point is, is it worth it? And if you know how much would arborist make with a degree? thanks

I'm watching my roomate begin his 3rd year of college for Ornithology and because he has busted his butt and is noticed by his instructors, he has already had some great opportunities come his way. It has been time consuming as hell for him, but it's money in his future bank... And I'll bet that before he graduates he'll have an offer for a job from a guy he has been doing some studies for. This same guy hired another student at an hourly rate over $30 for 4 years of schooling. I'm guessing she busted her butt too.

It's up to you.

If I was not up to my butt in financial aligators, I'd get into UMass's 2 or 4 year Arborist program at Stockbridge and bust my butt for the entire time I was there.

The smarter guys going into BUDS (navy SEAL training) know to get out in front of the rest of the class and stay there. They make their own success because the put out 110% every day.

If you take a similar attitude into college you'll do awesome.
 
Yeah go to school. I my self would love to go back. Im 26 and for most of my life i screwed off. Whent to jail a few times then rehab. Finally i pulled my head out of my @$$. Finally... Not to mention i have a wife and 2 children. Im a second gen climber. I was taught most of what i know from my father. Everything else i read or was taught were i work now. .

So what im saying here is go to school. If i could i would. Right now im studying for my arb cert..:popcorn:
 
If you browse the highest paying jobs in the green industry, they all ask for a 4 year degree. I've been working on my AS for four years now, and I'm getting closer each year. I'm 55 hopefullly I'll get it next year.
 
Yeah go to school. I my self would love to go back. Im 26 and for most of my life i screwed off. Whent to jail a few times then rehab. Finally i pulled my head out of my @$$. Finally... Not to mention i have a wife and 2 children. Im a second gen climber. I was taught most of what i know from my father. Everything else i read or was taught were i work now. .

So what im saying here is go to school. If i could i would. Right now im studying for my arb cert..:popcorn:

Good on ya Kile
its amazing how becoming a dad will wake a man up to himself
If you have a GOD I hope he keeps his blessings on you n yours olson yeah
mind how ya go mate
 
Yeah go to school. I my self would love to go back. Im 26 and for most of my life i screwed off. Whent to jail a few times then rehab. Finally i pulled my head out of my @$$. Finally... Not to mention i have a wife and 2 children. Im a second gen climber. I was taught most of what i know from my father. Everything else i read or was taught were i work now. .

So what im saying here is go to school. If i could i would. Right now im studying for my arb cert..:popcorn:

Way to go Kyle. Sober over 20 years myself, it has changed my life. And just for the record were all in school, every single day. I had to get into my 40's before I embraced life as an ongoing learning experience. Today I love that I can learn anytime I pick my copy of T.C.C. or read another thread on AS. At 50, I'm grateful to have this level of motivation. Keep the faith brother.
 
My four year degree was an utter waste of time for me personally. I would never force my kid to go to college either. I think some belong, some don't. If I was smart when I was in middle school I would have listened to a very wise individual who knew my capabilities and gone to a voc instead of a traditional hs like he told me, and I'd be half way to a millionaire right now if not already one, and I mean that whole heartedly. Some have a natural ability to run a business, it's all about desire and tenacity and less about formal education IMHO. Anyone who knows how to read can get a degree, and that's not saying much. Not everyone has the capability to be successful in business.
 
My four year degree was an utter waste of time for me personally. I would never force my kid to go to college either. I think some belong, some don't. If I was smart when I was in middle school I would have listened to a very wise individual who knew my capabilities and gone to a voc instead of a traditional hs like he told me, and I'd be half way to a millionaire right now if not already one, and I mean that whole heartedly. Some have a natural ability to run a business, it's all about desire and tenacity and less about formal education IMHO. Anyone who knows how to read can get a degree, and that's not saying much. Not everyone has the capability to be successful in business.


My Wife has 4 degrees. Went to college for 6 yrs. she is a teacher and LOVES it. It's what she wanted to do as a kid.

Me.. I went to the JVS.. Said screw college. I make on average 3 times more than her.

But, having said that. If I did go to school? I'd probably make twice what I do now? If I worked for the same company. An education never hurts. Never. Just depends on the field, area, and industry you work in.
 
My Wife has 4 degrees. Went to college for 6 yrs. she is a teacher and LOVES it. It's what she wanted to do as a kid.

Me.. I went to the JVS.. Said screw college. I make on average 3 times more than her.

But, having said that. If I did go to school? I'd probably make twice what I do now? If I worked for the same company. An education never hurts. Never. Just depends on the field, area, and industry you work in.

True, I dropped out in '77,,,but I learned my career choice. I liked climbing trees and then learning about trees and then raise a family in San Diego in the tree biz. Sound's so simple.
Jeff
 
It's not so much what you learn in college that employers look for, but the fact that your able to put forth the effert and learn. Plus it adds credibility to your adds and business cards to the general public. Much like being a ISA certified Arborist, its the title that impresses people. If your can say i have a BS or MA or Dr. or even AS after your name, its a fast track to a lot of opportunity.
But with that being said, I have a daughter in College in northern Az. That's why I work 6 and 7 days a week. It's not cheap. She's studying animal behaviorism. How many animal behaviorist do they need? I wish she just took welding.
 
This is my 2nd thread! The point is about me getting a degree. I've been playing with the idea with getting some from of a degree in biology leaning towards botany. I'm 27 and I realize that I can't do this hard labor work for the rest of my life but I love what I do. If I become a Arborist with a degree, well the point is, is it worth it? And if you know how much would arborist make with a degree? thanks

no.... learn another trade...
 
Jeff, Thanks for the help! Never too old for a spelling lesson...And learning doesn't always mean a four year degree..Voc. schools are fantastic too..My old boss never completed school beyond the 6th grade.He worked extremely hard and did well for himself. His son-in-law who did go to college came in and tripled the success of the business..Knowledge is never a waste..
 
I don't think most degrees are worth the paper they are printed on or the massive collage deubt accrued by the students that earn them. Check what job and more importantly how much you can earn with the degree then make the choice. I have one BS degree that might as well be in underwater basket weaving in my market.
 

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