4 ms·

Even STEM can be a bad investment, depending on what you do. I graduated with a degree in Chem, wanting to do nanoscale computers and -later- optical computing.

Even STEM can be a bad investment, depending on what you do. I graduated with a degree in Chem, wanting to do nanoscale computers and -later- optical computing. Found out 3rd year that unless I got a doctorate, I'd be a glorified lab rat. What's worse is that even if I got a doctorate, I'd still be a lab rat while trying to get one and would have a sliver of a chance to get a job anyways. My choice? I graduated, but didn't do grad school. Think of that next to you wonder why STEM jobs aren't being filled. There were some redeeming measures of school. I got a minor in CS, some text on my resume that says I went to school and got good grades - the first step for many companies to even consider you - and learned about a number of really good books I might not have encountered by just randomly exploring the net. Still, I probably would've done better without school. I will now take this opportunity to mention that I'm still looking for work, albeit sunny Cal is too expensive for me to consider jobs out there.

dikdik 10y ago
I did an undergrad in biotechnology which was effectively worthless, could barely make a dent on my 20k in undergrad debt. Now I've got a MS in bioinformatics and while I got a slight raise, I also had to take out more loans for the second degree. So I'm still floundering. If I had known what I know now, I never would have attended college (even though I had 70k worth of scholarships thrown at me). Would have picked up some programming on my own and maybe taken a few courses at a community college. Feel like I've completely wasted a decade of my life and it looks like I'm about to waste another decade.
- nercht12 10y ago
  My sympathies. We're stuck in the same boat. That said, assuming you have some steady work, have you looked into quicker loan payoff services like Sofi?
  - dikdik 10y ago
    I have never heard of that, will check it out. Thanks.
poikniok 10y ago
How can California be too expensive to consider a job in? Total comp can be very very high ...
- nercht12 10y ago
  Pay is offset by the cost of living because everyone out there thinks you can afford it. I suppose it would help pay off my bills faster, but that's assuming steady work. That said, I'm so-so as to whether or not to take a job there.

dikdik 10y ago

I did an undergrad in biotechnology which was effectively worthless, could barely make a dent on my 20k in undergrad debt. Now I've got a MS in bioinformatics and while I got a slight raise, I also had to take out more loans for the second degree. So I'm still floundering. If I had known what I know now, I never would have attended college (even though I had 70k worth of scholarships thrown at me). Would have picked up some programming on my own and maybe taken a few courses at a community college. Feel like I've completely wasted a decade of my life and it looks like I'm about to waste another decade.

nercht12 10y ago
My sympathies. We're stuck in the same boat. That said, assuming you have some steady work, have you looked into quicker loan payoff services like Sofi?
- dikdik 10y ago
  I have never heard of that, will check it out. Thanks.

poikniok 10y ago

How can California be too expensive to consider a job in? Total comp can be very very high ...

nercht12 10y ago
Pay is offset by the cost of living because everyone out there thinks you can afford it. I suppose it would help pay off my bills faster, but that's assuming steady work. That said, I'm so-so as to whether or not to take a job there.