A lot of information is available stating that a college education is a great investment. The writers back their statements with data and statistics too.
What many fail to say, however, is the “Your results may vary” disclaimer.
If you can land a degree-relevant job, their data and statistics are correct.
But if you cannot land a degree-relevant job, the amount you are wagering on college is your
- actual out of pocket PLUS
- proceeds from college loans PLUS
- interest that you will have to pay until the loans are paid off.
All the while “NOT” getting a payoff for the “investment.”
So what are the chances of failing to land that degree-relevant job?
The good news is that underemployment among young college grads is now only 44% according to The Atlantic.
That is good news because last year the figure was over 53% were jobless or underemployed.
Sounds like more than a bit of luck is part of the college degree pathway.
The odds of landing a degree relevant job aren’t terribly encouraging while the debt and investment consequences are substantial- regardless of employment outcome.
What of those who do not find degree relevant employment?
According to the BLS Table 6: “15.1% of all persons with bachelor degree or higher that work at hourly wage rates are being paid at or below minimum wage.”
Here’s the table
Starting a career in precision machining does not require a substantial input of luck.
Within a year of skills training at a local community college you can have the skills needed to land a well paying job as a precision machinist. Our shops are hiring, sentiment for employment among our business trends respondents remains above 90%, and on average our shops are scheduling almost 3 hours of overtime. Each week.
A career in advanced manufacturing as a skilled precision machinist doesn’t take luck.
Thought you might like to know…