Is a college degree pretty much worthless right now?

hunginchicago69 asked:


I spent a ton of money, time, and hardwork and sacrafice to get a degree. It seems its pretty much worthless right now. The only interviews I’m getting are for customer service jobs paying like $10 an hour and everyone else interviewing generally has degrees as well. Today I went to a group interview, 9 people with degrees trying to get a job paying $10 answering the phone for a HVAC company. I’m really mad I wasted my money on college.

Gas Furnace Repair

10 Comments

  1. heat pump service Chester

    What type of degree do you have? Nowadays, you need a masters degree to really stand out. Unfortunately. It sucks, I know.

  2. mandy says:

    Gas Furnace Maintenance Midlothian

    Well, if you didn’t have a degree they probably wouldn’t even interview you. The workplace is getting more competitive, so employers are being more picky about who they will hire.

    But yes, I think getting a college degree in order to earn $10 an hour is pointless. You still won’t be able to pay your bills. Or eat. I suppose you could go without eating if you REALLY wanted to pay off your school…

  3. Sal says:

    air conditioner repair Short Pump

    Actually, everyone in my field is hiring right now. I think it depends on your degree - they are all looking for engineers.

    What are you doing to find a job? Are you doing more than just searching websites - those work sometimes, but most people I know did not get work through them.

  4. Kay says:

    air conditioner install Short Pump

    You have not wasted your money and time on college. Depending on the degree you had pursued, there are jobs to match your degree. Important thing is to find the field more suited for your degree and get your foot in the door even if it’s not high paying as you want. When you can prove to be a good worker, there will be advancement for higher paying position within that company.

    We are facing a horrible economic times now with more than 700,000 people unemployed since January of this year. Some of these 700,000 people has college degree with years of experience, yet laid off.

    Your college degree will have you selected over non-college degree applicants on various job applications. Hang in there and never give up.

  5. KMcG says:

    heat pump maintenance Chesterfield

    In the current economic situation a college degree is only going to guarantee you an interview. But the economy will pick back up and that degree will be worth something. Of course, it also depends on what your degree is in.

  6. geek_girl says:

    furnace maintenance

    What’s your degree in? If it’s in the same thing a lot of other people get degrees in. . . no, it’s probably not worth a ton unless maybe if you use it to go to grad school with.

    College degrees in my field (engineering) are still worth quite a bit. Only we crazy folks even consider grad school.

    It’s all about supply and demand. If the supply is high, you have to figure out what you can do to really make yourself stand out. I know it may not feel like this right now. . . but imagine where you’d be in the job market right now without that degree — you probably wouldn’t even be able to get those interviews.

  7. Jeff T says:

    furnace maintenance Glenn Allen

    Depends on your major.

    English, history, elementary education, those don’t pay much.
    Science, business, accounting, those are middle of the pack
    Engineering, that’s where the entry-level money is.

    Problem is, most engineers take 6 years to get their 4 year degree.

    In his 1998 State of the Union address, President Clinton said that he wanted everyone to have a bachelor’s degree, and the earning potential that that degree entails.
    Problem is, when everyone has a bachelors, a bachelors becomes worthless.

  8. Pengy says:

    air conditioner install Mechanicsville

    No not worthless just the economy. Can you imagine where you would be if you only had a High school or less?

  9. HHKIANG says:

    heat pump install Richmond

    Without experience, you won’t be able to find a job with good pay in today’s economy. After you build up your network, experience and skills, it will get better. But it takes time, patience and hard work. Another key is to find what you really love to do and what you’re good at. Once you find a right fit, you’ll be able to accelerate in your career.

    Good luck!

  10. peash says:

    Heating Maintenance Glenn Allen

    Yeah seriously right now i feel the same way. I have a master’s degree and i’ve been unemployed for months ! LOL i’m bitter. I worked so hard and for what? I know people who only have a highschool education making good money. How is that possible? Man if only i could turn back time ! But hey im hoping that at some point my degree will be worth something ! Life is hard right now, and family who are not being encouraging makes it so much worse !

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