You Don't Need No Stinkin' College Degree!!

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I think she says something about going 'back' to school later. I know Julia Stiles in particular attended school but she also dropped out of the acting world a bit while she did. It's not impossible but it's not ridiculous what Miley Cyrus is doing now either, assuming her money is being managed responsibly.

I wonder how much of it comes down to how much stock, regardless of fame or money, your family puts in a college education. I can't really see any child of Billy Ray Cyrus, especially one as trainwrecky as Miley has been, going to college at all, let alone "later."

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I wonder how much of it comes down to how much stock, regardless of fame or money, your family puts in a college education. I can't really see any child of Billy Ray Cyrus, especially one as trainwrecky as Miley has been, going to college at all, let alone "later."

While that's true in general I don't know enough about their family to judge.
But her image is what makes her money. It makes a lot of immediate sense for her to postpone college. It makes more sense for an actor to attend school particularly if they're going to be doing theater in addition to TV/comedy/etc.

I don't know, I don't really judge famous people for whether they go to school. And I think all this article showed was that if you get lucky you can make it without a degree, particularly in Hollywood.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

While that's true in general I don't know enough about their family to judge.
But her image is what makes her money. It makes a lot of immediate sense for her to postpone college. It makes more sense for an actor to attend school particularly if they're going to be doing theater in addition to TV/comedy/etc.

I don't know, I don't really judge famous people for whether they go to school. And I think all this article showed was that if you get lucky you can make it without a degree, particularly in Hollywood.

But being "famous" doesn't equate success. What skills do most of those twits from "The Hills" have? Sure, they made $75k an episode, but after that is dried up (Heidi spent $2m on her album that failed, then on all that plastic surgery), then what? Their notoriety (and getting pad $5-10k to show up at a party) isn't going to last. Sure, one or two of the girls have clothing lines, but lasting success? We'll see. Easy come, easy go, right?

And unfortunately, many a successful skilled actor/musician, or famous "celebrity", have suffered tremendous financial difficulties. Many aspire to the financial success and fame of actual hard-working performers, but even the most successful have hardships: Wesley Snipes is in jail for tax evasion, Nicolas Cage is on the hook for millions (and is bankrupt), Billy Joel (and many other musicians) were screwed out of decades' worth of huge paychecks due to being unaware of what their "people" did with their money. (Not saying that higher-educated people don't have money problems; education can make you more aware of both good opportunities as well as potential risks.)

I know that college isn't for everyone, but the level of fame and fortune that many people aspire too is a. elusive, and b. hard to keep going. An education can open doors that people might not otherwise see. For example, savvy former sports players who are blessed with the skill (thanks to education) to speak and think critically have gone on to become sportscasters. People in the film business can turn to directing/producing, writing scripts or books - all which require many advanced thinking and organizational skills, etc. Many business-minded people become entrepreneurs. Not to say that natural talent isn't involved, but higher education can make you more aware of choices and access to resources.

Lastly, the argument that people became successful without or in spite of degrees (as in, they don't end up working in that field) is one I have a hard time swallowing. College isn't just about facts; though academic and worldly pursuits, the very processes it takes to finish an advanced degree, one learns to think critically, analyze options, practice multi-tasking, brainstorm, access and consider differing theories, challenge themselves academically/socially/mentally, and not only survive, but thrive in difficult circumstances.

Whether you're what people consider a high-level professional where you directly use what you've gone to school for (doctor, lawyer), a teacher, a business person, store owner, computer programmer, or even a stay-at-home mom, everyone has to make decisions. The tools you learn in college give you so many more options. Knowing how to be resourceful, having a general understanding of many different subjects and processes (biology, economics, psychology, sociology, politics, math - theories and the abstract, writing, etc.) - it affords freedom and opportunity.

The biggest issue in my mind is the rising cost of education. I don't have an answer for it, and my husband is still paying off those loans, but I don't think that education is ever wasted. Never, ever.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

But being "famous" doesn't equate success. What skills do most of those twits from "The Hills" have? Sure, they made $75k an episode, but after that is dried up (Heidi spent $2m on her album that failed, then on all that plastic surgery), then what? Their notoriety (and getting pad $5-10k to show up at a party) isn't going to last. Sure, one or two of the girls have clothing lines, but lasting success? We'll see. Easy come, easy go, right?

And unfortunately, many a successful skilled actor/musician, or famous "celebrity", have suffered tremendous financial difficulties. Many aspire to the financial success and fame of actual hard-working performers, but even the most successful have hardships: Wesley Snipes is in jail for tax evasion, Nicolas Cage is on the hook for millions (and is bankrupt), Billy Joel (and many other musicians) were screwed out of decades' worth of huge paychecks due to being unaware of what their "people" did with their money. (Not saying that higher-educated people don't have money problems; education can make you more aware of both good opportunities as well as potential risks.)

I know that college isn't for everyone, but the level of fame and fortune that many people aspire too is a. elusive, and b. hard to keep going. An education can open doors that people might not otherwise see. For example, savvy former sports players who are blessed with the skill (thanks to education) to speak and think critically have gone on to become sportscasters. People in the film business can turn to directing/producing, writing scripts or books - all which require many advanced thinking and organizational skills, etc. Many business-minded people become entrepreneurs. Not to say that natural talent isn't involved, but higher education can make you more aware of choices and access to resources.

Lastly, the argument that people became successful without or in spite of degrees (as in, they don't end up working in that field) is one I have a hard time swallowing. College isn't just about facts; though academic and worldly pursuits, the very processes it takes to finish an advanced degree, one learns to think critically, analyze options, practice multi-tasking, brainstorm, access and consider differing theories, challenge themselves academically/socially/mentally, and not only survive, but thrive in difficult circumstances.

Whether you're what people consider a high-level professional where you directly use what you've gone to school for (doctor, lawyer), a teacher, a business person, store owner, computer programmer, or even a stay-at-home mom, everyone has to make decisions. The tools you learn in college give you so many more options. Knowing how to be resourceful, having a general understanding of many different subjects and processes (biology, economics, psychology, sociology, politics, math - theories and the abstract, writing, etc.) - it affords freedom and opportunity.

The biggest issue in my mind is the rising cost of education. I don't have an answer for it, and my husband is still paying off those loans, but I don't think that education is ever wasted. Never, ever.

I totally agree with you and that's why I made the point earlier that as along as her money was being managed well she's probably making a reasonable choice. Just as making it to the professional level of sports is unlikely and unreasonable as a life goal, aiming for that level of success in show business is unlikely and unreasonable. Since someone like Miley Cyrus has that level of success (not that she's good, just that she's making bank) and that success is at least in part based on her youth and looks, capitalizing on that now is not a bad thing. Hopefully she does attend school one way or another so that she can manage her money and her career wisely as she grows up.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

And I think all this article showed was that if you get lucky you can make it without a degree, particularly in Hollywood.

That's the message to take home, kiddies.