What to do for college...

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Yes, I think I was saying that very thing. A non-vocational non-professional education may very well not put food on the table directly -- and be careful with the debts -- but NOT having an education will close off a huge percentage of the interesting things in life to do, and in general, will put you into a different social class, which has less upward mobility, shocking as that sounds, than the peasantry of medieval Europe.





Agree completely with this.


I was speaking only to the career and opportunity and perhaps social aspects of having an education, but on top of that, a good liberal education sticks with you your whole life and really completely changes the way you look at the world, and for the better. A good liberal education is the foundation for becoming a life long learner, one of the most rewarding things in life.

Agreed but it still has a lot to do with the person and where he grew up as to whether or not just having a liberal arts education will work

This kid is basically coming from the same area I came from (Delmarva) Eastern Shore but in another era and in a place not quite as rural.

Many of my friends became truck drivers, linemen, jailers, factory workers, farmers, watermen (while it lasted) or delivery people. The military was my ticket and I only got the schooling because I happened to be hardwired for math. (nature not nurture)*** that's one thing the military does for you though, they let you know what your are good at through all their testing and what jobs you qualify for...at least enlisted personnel*** I had no idea I had the ability to be a tech/nerd when I was 18 only that I could usually get an outboard or lawn mower started no matter it's condition

A liberal arts education at first without the military tech training I received would probably have gotten me nowhere since I also had a strong Eastern Shore accent and other rural ways that would have been against me but we were much more isolated back then before the Bridge was built and cable tv was standard. Actually when the bridge was completed the ferries went to Lewes Delaware for the Lewes to Cape May run if I remember correctly

Had it not been for the testing, I probably would have been a small boat captain in the Navy or Coast Guard escorting ships and helping to run military exercises in the bay. I had lots of small boat training (self taught) by the time I was 19.

I only see one escort in that picture of the carrier leaving the bay, but they are usually flanked by small, fast patrol boats and many times there is a Coast Guard Cutter on station also

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

Actually, you may wish to finish high school and, if you have the means, to sail for a "gap year" before college. You'll then have real-life experience to suggest whether a) you've made the right choices for college or b) you want to sail for a couple more years to attend college at age 21 or so as a "mature student", which I understand is significantly cheaper in terms of tuition.

Point being, no one will care in the job market if you show up with a degree at 22 or 25, but you will never be 18 again and the experiences, skills and maturity you gain voyaging at a young and vigorous age will serve you a lifetime.

I actually disagree with this.


The longer you wait, the lower the chances that you'll actually do it. There is always time to sail, but there is one specific time when most people go to the university, and that's the time you want to go. To be with your peers who are going through the same thing, the same period in life, and the same discoveries at the same time.



As in the Byrd's song, "to everything there's a season".

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

I actually disagree with this.

The longer you wait, the lower the chances that you'll actually do it. There is always time to sail, but there is one specific time when most people go to the university, and that's the time you want to go. To be with your peers who are going through the same thing, the same period in life, and the same discoveries at the same time.

As in the Byrd's song, "to everything there's a season".

Actually, for many waiting until you are older and less burnt out on school can the best way. It also gives you the time to figure out what you might want to do with your life and can motivate you for more schooling where you will actually get something out of it.

I graduated university at age 33 and actually learned some stuff!

It was so amazing to me the difference even in the way folks dressed in the Engineering/Math Building as compared to say the Psychology or History Building

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by thomm225

Agreed but it still has a lot to do with the person and where he grew up as to whether or not just having a liberal arts education will work

Definitely true.



One thing which must be said -- you don't need to have a particular job in mind, when you choose what to study, but you do need to choose something which grabs you. If you're a tech nerd at heart then you will not be helping yourself to wake up one morning as an English major. Follow your bliss!

Originally Posted by thomm225

This kid is basically coming from the same area I came from (Delmarva) Eastern Shore but in another era and in a place not quite as rural.

Many of my friends became truck drivers, linemen, jailers, factory workers, farmers, watermen (while it lasted) or delivery people. The military was my ticket and I only got the schooling because I happened to be hardwired for math. (nature not nurture)*** that's one thing the military does for you though, they let you know what your are good at through all their testing and what jobs you qualify for...at least enlisted personnel*** I had no idea I had the ability to be a tech/nerd when I was 18 only that I could usually get an outboard or lawn mower started no matter it's condition
. . .

I know many stories like this. The U.S. military is absolutely great for this, if you use it the right way.


I know a few people have have had really interesting lives, starting out in the military, getting massive amounts of free education, actually having some real adventures, advancing, then retiring with a surprisingly good pension at a young enough age to start all over again in some fascinating new career or entrepreneurial venture.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I know a few people have have had really interesting lives, starting out in the military, getting massive amounts of free education, actually having some real adventures, advancing, then retiring with a surprisingly good pension at a young enough age to start all over again in some fascinating new career or entrepreneurial venture.

The tricky part as far as the military goes is how long do you stay in. I did 5 years 2 months (I extended 14 months for advance schooling in electronics, Radar and IFF)

Some retirees seem to never be able to completely become a civilian again. Many in the navy have spent way too much time aboard ships. Others learn nothing over a 20 plus year career and stay the same person (with the same beliefs) they were when they entered.

It's quite amazing actually how it affects people.

As far as doing what you are good at or can do, that works for some but I never saw myself as a maintenance guy/maintenance manager (it does pay the bills though) but I have always enjoyed troubleshooting electrical, electronic, and computer problems

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by thomm225

Actually, for many waiting until you are older and less burnt out on school can the best way. It also gives you the time to figure out what you might want to do with your life and can motivate you for more schooling where you will actually get something out of it.

I graduated university at age 33 and actually learned some stuff!

It was so amazing to me the difference even in the way folks dressed in the Engineering/Math Building as compared to say the Psychology or History Building

One problem with delaying is that it puts you out of sync with many of your classmates, both in school and once you graduate. Suddenly, you're years behind your peers if you hope to climb the career ladder.

I know a lot more people who delayed and never managed to get into sync than people who delayed and actually "found" themselves.

Life doesn't have a rulebook, and every rule has exceptions, but the easiest way forward is to go to college at the point in life where all your peers are also doing it.

That said, everyone has to make their choices.

[Jake Mundok]

Originally Posted by thomm225

As far the military, that's a tough one. You have to give up lots of your freedoms when you join.

This is what I'm worried with the military, there are lots of trade offs to consider in each pathway.

[Jake Mundok]

[QUOTE=S/V Alchemy;2830708]Actually, you may wish to finish high school and, if you have the means, to sail for a "gap year" before college. You'll then have real-life experience to suggest whether a) you've made the right choices for college or b) you want to sail for a couple more years to attend college at age 21 or so as a "mature student", which I understand is significantly cheaper in terms of tuition.

I talked about a "gap" year with my parents and crewing on sailboats around north america. They said I could after I earn a degree. They didn't like the idea of sailing with a stranger thousands of miles from home. I would love to do this for the reason that I get to see if its something i would truly want to do while meeting life long friends and gaining experience along the way. My family has the means for me to get a higher education and they feared that i would never get a degree if I left for the year.

It might be worth looking into the mature student deal.

-Thanks

[KenKo]

Jake, It's great that you're thinking about your future instead of just letting it roll over you, but be careful to stay open to a variety of options--there's a lot of life ahead of you and lots of potential avenues of opportunity/direction that will open up as you grow older and experience more. College can do many things for you if you go with an active and open mind; train you for a career, allow you to explore lots of interests, develop an active and analytical mind and become a better learner, so it's not necessarily an alternative to sailing, but can also enrich your sailing interests and experiences.
As far as costs go, it can be expensive, but don't underestimate the availability of scholarship aid--often, the most expensive schools end up charging the least depending on your aid situation and their scholarship endowment. Overall, the average college debt students are left with is about the price of a new car, so not fun but not devastating either, and one of the great tasks of a family are to support the education of their kids to the extent they are able to. Having dealt with college students for many years, it's not at all unusual for someone's burning interest at age 17 or 18, to change as they are exposed to the world, so pursue your passion, but to the extent possible, keep your options open--you might be a different person at 20 or 25 or simply a person better able to engage with and appreciate the many ports or anchorages you're sailing experiences will bring. ---an old professor and sailor

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Jake Mundok

This is what I'm worried with the military, there are lots of trade offs to consider in each pathway.

Yep, I joined for just 4 years at first with a contact that guaranteed I'd get the school I requested and a $2,500 Bonus.......as long as I passed the course.

The money (and to some extent the school) was the reason that I went into the marines instead of the navy. I had a boat and car that I needed to pay off.

Btw, The Coast Guard also has EPA jobs/responsibilities. That might be something you'd like.

Also, every year that February 18th rolls around (especially here lately) I do remember it as the day I was sworn into the military where it's pretty much no turning back at that point.

Marine Boot Camp at Parris Island, SC is a whole 'nother story. One thing that was peculiar was that they taught you how to quite easily hit a silhouette target at 500 yards with your M16 then had you zigzag running across an open field of about 500 yard toward a simulated enemy (as if zigzagging would help save you!?)

But then again, the military is full of peculiarities

[rbk]

Something to seriously consider:

You're now 40 and have been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Do you...

a) Wished you'd sailed more
b) Wished you'd done more schooling and worked more

This does ignore family life etc but its all a balancing act, work vs life, make the most of whats important to you while you can. It can be disease or a car wreck doesn't matter.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by rbk

Something to seriously consider:

You're now 40 and have been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Do you...

a) Wished you'd sailed more
b) Wished you'd done more schooling and worked more

This does ignore family life etc but its all a balancing act, work vs life, make the most of whats important to you while you can. It can be disease or a car wreck doesn't matter.

You pretty much forget about the sailing when you receive that diagnoses and other things involving rest and relaxation.

It's the schooling that you wish you'd finished or at least that is what I'm told by a family dealing with that diagnoses

[hellosailor]

I'd suggest to the OP that he *may* be required to live in the dorms for the first one or two years, unless he's looking at a community college. And it is a good idea because all the "fix my boat" distractions won't be there, and the social interaction and ability to go directly to/from classes and speak to your peers won't be the same if you are not on campus.

In terms of what to study...I'm not really sure that anything is relevant to living and sailing on a boat! An awful lot of things are regulated these days, if you are an architect, engineer, doctor, nurse, psychiatrist, even a plumber, you may need to be locally certified and bonded before you can legally work. And in much of the world, "tourists" competing for the local job economy dollars are not really loved, or encouraged.

So you may need to make a choice (and living on campus while you take your time on that) as to whether you want to pursue a career at something, or follow a dream. There are, as of now, a lot of lifestyle video production companies, calling themselves "sailors" or whatever making a buck by filming their lives on YouTube. That can be done--but having a college degree in anything besides video production probably won't matter.

I think you'd have to "make haste slowly" while you decide if college is relevant, and if it is, where you want to focus. Maybe take a hiatus year off, before college, and spend it in some way sailing. A lot of colleges are very comfortable with "deferred admissions" this way, they figure the students who do that will simply be that much more mature and more likely to graduate on time. And satisfied with their choices.

[pcmm]

If I were to do it again (I was similar to you, all I wanted to do was sail) I would pick up a trade first. Takes less time than 4 years of Uni and alot less money. Lots of Uni grades end up going back to college to pick up a trade when they discover that there is no $100k a year job available in "dance theory"

I would seriously consider refridgeration or welding or Diesel mechanics (all in demand and useable on the water too!)

After a few years of that I would then consider Uni. but only after taking my trade and going cruising for a bit.

[sanibel sailor]

Has ANYBODY here been able to go to college then immediately followed that with a long term sailing adventure? I can't imagine it happening. Most always there is pressure to enter the job market immediately after school. An employer would likely look more favorably on a year off before rather than after college.