Billionaire says: "Why not become a plumber instead of going to college?"

[joeglow3]

145. I still think it is good advice

I understand what you are saying and also use the same skepticism. I have been fortunate (although I have busted my ass) to get where I am (I have a masters in accounting and my CPA - oddly, not considered a STEM field by ICE). Myself and many of my friends belonged in college (as we excelled academically) and it shows. However, I have a number of friends that went to college with us because that is what they were told they were supposed to do. They work very hard, but just didn't excel academically. They all ended up dropping out and now work very respectable careers (electrician, sanitation worker and finished carpenter). Sadly, 15+ years later and they are still paying off student loans. We all knew (including themselves) that they were not cut out for college, but they went because they were told they were supposed to.

As to your first point, most people with non-STEM degrees end up in these fields anyway. I have two friends (Art degree and History degree) who are both correction officers at the state pen. From a personal growth standpoint, they picked up some great knowledge, but at a huge price. They too are still paying off student loans for degrees that added nothing from strict career standpoint. I am not convinced that these people are not already ending up in these trades. They just take an extremely path to get there. If they can get to the same point without the huge expense, that is good for them and the nation.