OT: Calling all straight F students..., Don't ever give up Options

[914ghost]

I'm in Radiology- you must prove competance on every single test- but your 1st grade sticks forever. And a C- is a FAIL.
Meaning, you must get a C (pass) on every test- any test with less than a C is an F and stays an F, but you must retake that test and prove that you know the material - you get 3 chances each test total, but it doesnt change your recorded grade. Fail to pass any 1 test the 3rd time and your out.
So, in some ways you can fail many times, but in the end you cant fail even once!
Bob O

[larryp]

You know, I work with inventors. My fields are pharmaceuticals (small molecules and antibodies), metallurgy, electronics, aerospace engineering, molecular biology and printing. There are some more too (displays and textiles, etc.), but that is the majority. At one small biotech company 2/7 of the executive committee are Nobel winners. At another, three of the five inventors I work with most often are Rhodes scholars. Among the rest, occasionally, I have an inventor who is not a PhD. But not too often.

You don't need a higher education to succeed in life. But statistically you are making a bad bet spurning one.

[mudfoot76]

QUOTE (larryp @ Mar 2 2005, 08:36 AM)

You don't need a higher education to succeed in life. But statistically you are making a bad bet spurning one.

I'll second that. I do know of some PhDs who couldn't get out of a wet paper bag, as well as people who barely escaped high school with a diploma but are very successful running their own businesses. However, on the Gaussian curve that is life, these people are the abberations....in general, the more advanced your education, the more opportunities you are afforded (I have a terrific job as a result of getting my MSc)

Stay in school (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif)

[Qarl]

Sometimes I speak incoherently, so just ignore me.

blah blah blah blah blah...

[Thorshammer]

Some of us are really missing the point!

The common denominator to all of this is DRIVE. If you have it you will succeed, either because your too stupid to accept loss/defeat or your just plain stubborn (as I am).

Statistically speaking, the numbers don't lie. With a college degree of any type statistics say you will make 1.2 million dollars more than if you do not have one.

As for the Pharm companies, probably not a good comparison for workers with or without a degree. To function in that type of a research enviroment, higher enducation is a must. But, take a designer vs Mech Engineer, with many of the new FEA and CAD systems we have these days, the playing field is much more even than it ever was. But, to get hired by a company to do this work is another story. I for one do not have a degree. I have taken many classes at the University. Mostly because I needed the information. My fluids class was the best story though. I did not have the requisite math courses, so when I got into class the Prof called me up and asked me to drop, that I would be wasting my time without the math to perform certain calculations. I asked to stay without a grade, I remember the look on his face, "your wasting my time sir" you know that look. Now I'm not going to say it was easy, and yes I had to buy two math books and get some help from a friend, but I was determined to learn the stuff I needed (I owned a motorcycle suspension company). I got a 91 on the final. The Prof could'nt believe it. So he gave me the grade.

Some of you are very right. Education has gone awry in this country. My wife is a High school teacher. She deals with the trials and tribulation every day, biggest problem is a lack of support from the home front. The ones that have support don't need it, they are doing fine in class. The ones that need it, don't get it. My wife has 110 students everyday, at parent teacher conferences she gets 4-10 parents coming in to see her. ? WTF over!? thats not even 10%. The conference session lasts until 9:00pm so it is not a question of time, but will or lack thereof. When I was growing up Parent teacher conferences were like a town meeting, everyone was there. Maybe people see education solely as a right. Not priveledge? No wonder other countries are kicking our ass.

Erik Madsen

[JB 914]

A college education simply proves you have the ability to complete a task. It doesn't guarantee you a job or a certain income.

The most important thing you have is your reputation. Every action you take has consequences. The sum of your actions is who you are to your peers.

[Toast]

I agree with Quarl in the fact that the most successful people have drive, will and determination.

I have had 8 years of post high school schooling, have a AS in Science and a Certificate in Geographic information systems. I have a Scuba Diver Certificate, and have worked enough on vehicle that I could probably be an entry-level mechanic.
Yet I still work at the same dead-end job that I started at in 98. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/huh.gif)

This is because I do not have the drive, courage, or determination to apply what I have learned and to do something else.

My colleges and friends keep pushing me to get more school. Granted, that would probably help get a better paying job, but, will I apply myself afterwards, or will I just be in tremendous debt from school and stay stagnet?

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/idea.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/screwy.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif)

[TravisNeff]

I had to go back 3 times to finish High School. I thought hanging out with my friends and getting a full time job as a cook was more fun. Instant gratification. I am not stupid - just never applied myself when I should have. I look back and see that doing better in school would have done wonders for myself. Self esteem, first real glimpse at working hard at something where the payoff is far down the road. I wish I would have done more in math, math is cool and is whupass tool for problem solving and analysis.

But I learned a ton going the OJT route and bettered myself along the way. I work for an engineering/consulting firm in I.T. been here for 9 years. I make more than a few of the engineers with a lot of schooling, and a lot of hard work. I can say that I accomplished more than I thought I would have. I have also known people with outstanding education and they are dumber than a stump in the real world. I would also say that about 40% or more of people that I meet with a college education are not working in the field that they studied.

But yesterday I found out that I am being moved to a flex position rather than full time at the end of the month. We have been overstaffed in my office for a couple years, and as a senior and high paid tech I am financially expendable. I guess it is a blessing in disguise, I am burned out and it is time for a new job or even a new career path. Maybe doing something that I am interested in, rather than just for pay. Now is the time that I kick myself for not getting a degree. It's hard to sell yourself without it. But I have enough real world experience that makes up for a bunch if not all - just have to have the interviewer look further than my education on my resume. (also not laugh that I did it in purple crayon).

[RAR]

I still can't get a handle on what Buffy is doing. Can you slow it down a little, Mike. I like the av all in all.

[Qarl]

914ghost...

Radiology huh? You might want to check your radiation levels... your ears and teeth are beginning to look a little funny.

Regards,

Qarl

[Rusty]

I can relate to that. I nearly flunked out of college the first time.

Then, I started taking night classes... slowly banging away at my degree plan... over the last 12 years. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smash.gif)

Someday, I'll be done. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

-Rusty (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smoke.gif)

[TravisNeff]

One day i will have the papers to prove I am smart, then use them to mask off the car when I paint it. heh.

[SLITS]

QUOTE (Travis Neff @ Mar 2 2005, 11:59 AM)

One day i will have the papers to prove I am smart, then use them to mask off the car when I paint it. heh.

The papers are a good "door opener". After that, you're on your own and the papers do semi well in a toilet function.

[TravisNeff]

Well you can use yours when you apply for a job at dairy queen, soft serve specialist, here's a little bit on my work..

[SLITS]

QUOTE (Travis Neff @ Mar 2 2005, 02:34 PM)

Well you can use yours when you apply for a job at dairy queen, soft serve specialist, here's a little bit on my work..

Do you realize how hard it is to get that little curlie que on the top of that ice milk compound and keep it there while you dip it in chocolate?

[TravisNeff]

Thanks, I think I just had the complete visual in my head. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/barf.gif) Want peanuts on that?