I'm sorry, but this is going to piss people off, but here goes: Anybody here that thinks a degree is a waste of time is in denial and in a fantasy world. Go ahead...throw the die that you'll be a millionaire of trading. Your chances are probably less than 1% if you don't have any other source of income to sustain yourself as you learn to trade. Let's say that you get a degree and you don't immediately find a high paying job, or your trading is successful. At its WORST, you'll have a backup safety net that puts you ahead in the business world of every other person without a degree. So think about this logically. Scenario 1: You get your degree and continue to trade and you're very successful at trading. You have a safety net in case you need it. No big deal. You got a degree that you don't use. Who fucking cares. Scenario 2: You get your degree and fail at trading. Now you have a backup plan. You will have a 99% better chance of landing a higher paying job than anybody without a degree. Scenario 3: You don't get your degree and you fail at trading. Guess where you'll be working most likely....at Wal Mart. :eek: Scenario 4: You don't get a degree and you are successful at trading. Simple...you got lucky. Was it worth the risk? Was the possibility of working at Wal Mart worth the risk of throwing the degree out the window. Also, for those that think you're already behind because of the cost of getting the degree. That's bologna. I went to a school that required coops. I worked for a year and a half while at school. Basically, when on coop, you don't take classes and you work at a "real job". It's a job that I only got because of my education. My degree was paid for even before I was done with school and I had another 10 grand extra to throw into the markets because of working. Do it right and make smart decisions. Manage your life like you do your trading and you won't be sorry for it. Don't lie to yourself that a degree is "worthless".
Reaver, here's a video for you bro. Think you'll like it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz1t0Ns-ZfI&feature=related
Would you give the same advice to somebody thinking about quitting high school? If you are not 100% into it don't bother? It seems like many of the same arguments apply - it just prepares you to work for somebody else, you can learn a lot of that stuff on your own, and it doesn't help you trade. I might think differently if the guy was talking about starting med school or leaving school to start a company, but it sounds like he is already 3/4 of the way through a bachelors and doesn't know what to do. I was definitely not 100% into finishing undergrad and considered quitting but am very glad I stuck it out. I got a lot more out of it than I realized at the time. And my family is far from a chore thankfully But it does change priorities and make it a lot harder to focus on school sometimes. But in a way I think it adds to the motivation, they share the sacrifice so I better make the opportunity pay off for all of us.
Hi blackdiamond, Merry X-Mass No I most definitely would not say the same thing to someone who is in High School, there is a basic level of knowledge that you are expected to have to succeed in the US, and High School is it. Now, after High School, if you have no interest in going to college, I highly recommend going into a trade, many of them are really very profitable (some of them are in a post I made eariler). This way you don't waste your time doing something you really don't want to do ... I think that is the worst thing you can tell a young person, to do something they really don't want to. Now, if you want to go to college, by all means, do it. People do it for many, many different reasons. If you're smart and you want to study some esoteric area which requires a Ph.D., if you want a profession that requires 4 to 8 years of schooling, if you're a briillant guy/girl and you want to become a teacher (met a few of those along the way), well then by all means, do what is in your heart and go to college. But if it isn't for you, you don't have, or need to do it to become successfull in this life ... mainly because success can only be defined by an individual for themself. I
Merry xmas to you too! I basically agree with you in general, if one has a goal and college is not the way to get there cool. It just sounds like where this guy is starting from he is better off getting his degree and having it before moving on. If you haven't figured out what you really want to do yet another year in school is not the worst choice to make. Gotta go finish Santa work and get to sleep. Maybe we can put our heads together and figure out somebody else's career path tomorrow
If firmly believe that if one is not motivated to be in college or to take it seriously, one should stop going. But don't consider it a permanent decision. u don't need to project out or make blanket statements such as, "i don't need college" just try something else for a bit and see how it goes, and leave open the door of coming back in a few years and finishing. Taking a few years off to work, try other things, have adventures, work a trade, etc can give one a great deal of perspective. In fact that is what I did. It worked for me. I was an unmotivated, bored student my first two years of university. I took time off to do other things, and when I came back I new what I wanted to do and had a near perfect gpa my final two years. THis is a true story for many who return to college after a few years doing other things. the other top student in my program was a student like me who had been in the real world for a few years, and was consequently much harder and serious about doing his best than the other students. Some do not need to learn this lesson, were fortunate to learn it earlier in life, or will never learn it content with mediocracy. If u do want to be the best u can be but just can't get motivated, i strongly suggest taking a time out and doing some real world stuff for a bit. Challenge yourself.
Thanks Nattdog, that's exactly what I'm saying. It's a different world when they see how the real world (of course I'm using the term subjectively, one man's reality is another man's dream/nightmare) opereates, but whatever level it happens to be on, when reality hits, it can only be a good thing and motivate you to be your absolute personal best. So, in a sense, the real title of the thread should be You Can't Trade Without Being in the Real World, being Very Serious, and Working Hard!! Merry X-Mass everyone, I
Maybe you think their education was no better than yours, but don't for a second think that all universities are equal. There is a reason some have better reputations, higher dropout rates, and better recruiting. It's not because employers don't know what they're doing.
Many people who get a degree work in a field to learn about it before starting their own business. Some fields require a degree to get your foot in the door, and by doing so, you learn about the field and can eventually start your own company. Many CPAs who do tax returns and other accounting work started out working for someone else. You act like getting a degree means you'll be a grunt your whole life. You think that some people don't need college to succeed, but getting a degree will without a doubt give you a better chance at success. The more education a person has, the odds are they will earn more income. Plenty of stats are available to support that. I think everyone likes to think of themself as being smarter than everyone else, and they don't need all that formal education because they're smarter, so they can become wealthy on their own. All I can say is why not have the insurance of a degree (a practical one that can get you a job) to fall back on?
Best post in the thread. I am trying my best to learn about investing, but if like most people, I cannot make a good living from it, I have a great job and a degree. Yes, I'm working for someone else. I'm not my own boss. So what? I have a good, steady income from my job, I enjoy it, it is related to the finance/investment industry, and there is ZERO chance that I would have the job if I didn't have a degree (you MUST be a CPA to sign off on an audit opinion). Why take the risk and skip college? If you're smart enough to do well without a degree, you're smart enough to study and get scholarships so you don't go into a lot of debt for school, and for the rest of your life you have something that sets you apart from many other people, and can act as a backup if your own business plan fails (like so many do). Be realistic about starting your own company or becoming a successful day trader. Don't just assume that because it's your dream and you're dedicated that you will make it. Plenty of intelligent, dedicated people can't cut it. If you can't accept this than you are ignoring reality. Effort wins you no points. In the real world it is about results, and sometimes all the effort you have isn't enough.