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Yeah, as much as I hate the university as an institution, they're still necessary for a large amount of people (in practice) These threads tend to be filled wit

Yeah, as much as I hate the university as an institution, they're still necessary for a large amount of people (in practice) These threads tend to be filled with comments that assume everyone is a developer and / or should be. Unfortunately many, if not most high paying jobs will still require higher education, particularly the stereotypically well paying ones. You aren't going to become a doctor, engineer (non software), lawyer, etc. without that degree unfortunately.

technothrasher 6y ago
What you say is true, but there are plenty of smart people who start in the trades and then leverage their way up to making millions in business for themselves. When I said I had plenty of friends who were successful without a college degree, I was specifically thinking of auto mechanics. While I'm the typical "developer" type you reference, my main hobby is classic sports cars (which started during my time at college, coincidentally). From that hobby I know quite a few "high school only" folks who are now independently wealthy and fully satisfied with their lives, from building up automotive businesses.
randomdata 6y ago
> Unfortunately many, if not most high paying jobs will still require higher education, particularly the stereotypically well paying ones. Not just any higher education, though, but specific professional degrees that grant access to supply managed markets. That part seems to be often missed when this topic comes up. I recall a Gallup study into the top 1% finding that something like 70% of the top 1% have a professional degrees (doctors, lawyers, etc.). The remaining portion was comprised of more people with high school or less than those with only a bachelor degree, suggesting that a bachelor degree alone does nothing to improve your prospects. Which goes against the common thinking. But is also echoed in the general economy. With the rise of post-secondary attainment, incomes have held stagnant. If there was a financial advantage gained though higher education itself, not through supply management, incomes would be rising.

technothrasher 6y ago

What you say is true, but there are plenty of smart people who start in the trades and then leverage their way up to making millions in business for themselves. When I said I had plenty of friends who were successful without a college degree, I was specifically thinking of auto mechanics. While I'm the typical "developer" type you reference, my main hobby is classic sports cars (which started during my time at college, coincidentally). From that hobby I know quite a few "high school only" folks who are now independently wealthy and fully satisfied with their lives, from building up automotive businesses.

randomdata 6y ago

> Unfortunately many, if not most high paying jobs will still require higher education, particularly the stereotypically well paying ones. Not just any higher education, though, but specific professional degrees that grant access to supply managed markets. That part seems to be often missed when this topic comes up. I recall a Gallup study into the top 1% finding that something like 70% of the top 1% have a professional degrees (doctors, lawyers, etc.). The remaining portion was comprised of more people with high school or less than those with only a bachelor degree, suggesting that a bachelor degree alone does nothing to improve your prospects. Which goes against the common thinking. But is also echoed in the general economy. With the rise of post-secondary attainment, incomes have held stagnant. If there was a financial advantage gained though higher education itself, not through supply management, incomes would be rising.