Declining enrollment at CSU campuses

[carnation]

I taught part time for a vo-tech college for years. From that, I know that while the kids get good offers right out of school, they often work in bad conditions--like roofers, welders, and plumbers.

Y'all remember Blazercheer? She got a B.S. in a health field over 20 years ago but about 5 years ago, wanted to go into cybertech. She picked up an A.S. in the field at the same vo-tech school where I taught and was almost immediately making 6 figures. She said she wouldn't be at her level, however, without the B.S. in a totally unrelated field.

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by navane

...
Also, in recent years, California has been pushing for community college attendance. The state even moved to have community colleges start offering 4-year bachelor's degrees. So, the state kinda shot itself in the foot with that. Now students realize they can stay home, for less tuition, and get a degree without going to the expensive universities.

This. The school where I work/attend is experiencing problems related to this ( and other things).

[33girl]

Being a roofer, welder or plumber is most definitely not "working in bad conditions." There's nothing wrong with getting your hands dirty and these are some of the FEW jobs that are recession and AI proof.

[amIblue?]

I agree with you about there being nothing wrong with getting your hands dirty, but being a roofer is dangerous (working from heights and usually in terrible heat, at least here in the south). But for any skilled trade, people can make bank, and we need those people. Trade work can’t be outsourced overseas or done remotely. I would never discourage any young person with an interest in a trade from pursuing it. My nephew is a genius, and he has been doing carpentry work while he has been in high school. He is seriously considering pursuing carpentry instead of going to college. We’ve all been kind of shocked because of how well he does academically, but if it’s going to make him happy and not saddle him with student loan debt…go for it.

[*winter*]

The guy my nephew dated throughout college is super smart as well. He just didn’t want to go to college right after HS. Maybe he will go someday? Idk.

Where I come from, everyone has done blue collar labor jobs all their lives. It just is normalized there. My dad was working for his union, setting up and breaking down shows at the Convention center up until he was in his 70s.
He was still working on cars, too. (Somehow, all of his mechanical genes missed me though )

He wanted us to go to college because he lost a lot in life when the industries started going overseas in the 80s. I think he saw it as bringing more job security.

Idk if it was this thread, but I had the weirdest dream I was back at community college last night lol…CC is doing good in this part of the state. Although not every county has one, many places are adding branches so that people can at least get some coursework locally. Here is a project completed by the late Rep Jeff Pyle (a great educator and human)

https://triblive.com/local/valley-ne...-in-ford-city/