College/University or An Apprenticeship

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This could have gone here or in the "School and College Life" forum but I chose here because the thread is mostly about jobs, not education.

I made this thread because I have to consider what career path I want to take, I have read about other peoples experiences in offices, supermarkets, food service and other industries but they all sound horrible. So, I have decided that I want to either get a degree in something I enjoy, or take an apprenticeship in something I enjoy.

The question is: Which is better?

Speaking of the USA, I vote for Apprenticeship.

Right now college/university graduates are graduating with a ton of debt and no job to pay it back with. The number of fields you can get a degree in that are hiring a serious number of new employees every year are very, very few. So, if you can't get your degree and graduate debt-free, apprenticeship is the best option. You get little pay, but trained in a marketable skill you should be able to go out and make a living with.

Last edited by zer0netgain on 12 Jan 2010, 8:39 am, edited 1 time in total.

I'm leaning towards an apprenticeship, my teachers want me to go to University because of my current grades and advanced levels of knowledge. But I have heard a lot of stories where people go to University, get a degree after four years, go home with a gigantic debt and then they can't get a job because of their low experience or because they're "overqualified". In contrast, their friends who learn a trade already own a home and have a stable income and job after the same four years.

I don't really want a high profile job with status and power, I want a job which is stable, interesting and pays well enough to finance my lifestyle. A trade can easily do that. None of my family have got degrees but they're successful, my sister, for example, is 21 and about to buy her first house.

So far, I think University is for people with a great deal of money and time, it just doesn't sound realistic otherwise.

Books and lectures can occasionally be helpful, but "hands on" has *always* worked for me!

People tend to say that "hands on" is the best way to learn. My biggest problem with a degree is the cost, and the jobs at the end. I think that the people who go to University to "experience the Uni lifestyle" and the people who pay horrendous amounts of money to study Shakespeare are frankly, idiots or liers. There is no reason why you can't learn about Shakespeare using books and the internet. You don't need a $20k course to study literature.

Do whatever suits your boat. If you feel like you can't get a bachelors degree or a masters degree from a traditional university, get a vocational associates or a degree from a technical school.

I would honestly do what you want to do. If your leaning a certain way.... Go that way...If you took the "wrong" path you are permitted to change your mind. Pursue a career that you think you can at least tolerate...

As long as you can handle the stresses of interpersonal relationships in Apprenticeship, I'd vote for it. But if you can't handle it well, a community college will help. More time to mature as a being.

I'm trying to accept that no matter what job I decide on, somebody else will be there. At least with an Apprenticeship I can get used to the... teacher, master, whatever you call the guy you Apprentice to. Even with customers I can talk about the job and not "So, how are you?" and "Having a good day?". I can also avoid "office politics".

Has anybody here had a horrible time in either an Apprenticeship or University?

I have done both. I went to a 4 year college and was in the computer science program but dropped out because I couldn't concentrate and I was failing all my classes. I went to an automotive school to get my AA. It really helped that a lot of the learning was hands on instead of just learning from lectures or books. I think I graduated with a 3.4 GPA. I've never actually used the degree ever for a job. I was an electrical apprentice for 2 years. It was nice working my hands and being outside frequently. I had trouble maintaining jobs because I never got along with the other employees. I would either get fired or I would quit. I really enjoyed the job but I couldn't handle the people. In two weeks I start school this time for massage therapy. I think I would enjoy doing massage as a career.

Thanks for the advice, I'd forgotten about this thread actually but advice is still accepted. Good luck with your massage therapy. I've pretty much chosen to appretnice in electrical work now. It's what I'm interested in and that's what most people say you should base your career off of.

Me, I am going to suck in the 14 units im taking in college and get really prepared for the finals. I am determined to pass and figure out what I need to do and how much time I need to dedicate to pass certain classes. That is all I can say.

apprenticeship, for the reasons stated above. You can always do more school later if you feel the desire. School is good for knowledge, but you need a steady job that makes good cash, so go for a trade I say. Also the environment is more AS friendly I find, as you can literally just come to work, say nothing and work, and you will be fine. An office requires much more social interaction and self-promotion for success.

I agree except I would say that you can make tons of money in a trade. Ironworkers, boiler makers, pipe fitters, welders (industrial construction trades) all make $100k+ a year.

Electrician is a good trade man, you made a smart choice!

Depends on what you want to do - there is no right answer. An apprenticeship would be hell to me because I don't want to do anything manual or handy but a classmate of mine went back to do automotive stuff and it was a perfect match for him. It's very hard to get your foot in the door in somethings without a degree though so it all depends.