(03-27-2021, 01:29 AM)americus 2.0 Wrote:

(03-26-2021, 11:12 AM)The Real Marty Wrote: What's the value of any liberal arts degree?  I have a history degree.  There's absolutely no economic value to it.  I am glad I have it, because I like having that knowledge.  But I went back and got an accounting degree 3 years after I graduated with a history degree.

What made you decide to get the history degree in the first place? 

A liberal friend once told me people don't go to college for the education or to learn/earn a career but for the experience. Seriously? I'm pretty sure all of those nurses, teachers, doctors, lawyers, accountants and engineers would disagree.

The first time I went to college I was just putting one foot in front of the other, going to college because I was supposed to, and because it was easier than getting a job.  That was Indiana University.  I changed my major 5 or 6 times, and finally realized I enjoyed history and that majoring in history would involve the least amount of work.  

I got out with my history degree and drifted from one job to another.   I painted the bathroom stalls at Ribault High School, I swept the floors at the Simmons mattress factory, I managed a gas station/convenience store from 10PM to 6AM, and I managed a warehouse for a small company that sold theater supplies.  I worked as a security guard.  I got my real estate license and completely failed at that. 

That's what my history degree got me- enjoyment of history.  Also, as in any liberal arts program, a basic knowledge of philosophy, psychology, anthropology, sociology, political science, astronomy, film studies, economics, art history, etc.  But no money.  

When I was 27 I woke up and realized I was going nowhere and that's when I went back and got my accounting degree at UNF.  

What your liberal friend told you is true for some college students, but not all of them.  IU was a typical college campus, with all the fraternities and sororities, all sorts of clubs and activities, college sports, all of that.  UNF was totally different.  At that time, there were only juniors and seniors.   The average age of the students was 27, while the average age of the professors was 26.  The students, having some life experience, were very motivated.

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