It seems that today even to get the most mundane job you need to have some sort of university degree. Just what is a BA really worth today? Does it make you a better salesperson? Of course Not. At one time a BA and preferably an MA, was the criteria you need to get into Teacher's College if you wanted to become a mener of the wonderful Teaching Profession. Today it seems that people with a BA are two-a-penny and many of them are unemployed because they have No Work Experience. I remember not so long ago one of these people was interviewed and and when challenged as to why he did not have a job, at the time there were plenty of jobs available, his response was an arrognat "I did not study at uni for 4 years to become a Shop Assistant." Universities have lost the ability to teach people to think, to debate, to challenge. You have to comply, you must only think and believe as you are told to think and believe. You must never, ever say anything which might challenge the tutors, professors and their associates. You must never, ever say anything which others may think are Politically Incorrect, which do not comply with some sort of pseudo-socialist nonsense.

If you have a job that can help to lower your fees for your courses or a company is happy to pay for you to further your knowledge. So many with degrees cannot find work most due to lack of work experience and rate of pay even though you have a piece of paper it dose not mean it will be paid matched .Work and study is a good and healthy balance if you aleays seek employment .

Most definately if you want a good job.

A bachelor degree today is just a little more than a high school diploma. It will get you in the door but nothing more

No it’s not recognized these days.

No education is a waste

Some kids learn more out of school than in it

depends entirely on the practical application of the study

Post secondary can also be TAFE education where the cost was worth it and instrumental for my employment opportunities. Yes, a University Degree is costly and did not lead to an expectation of employment for me but was worth it for numerous non-monetary reasons as a mature aged student.

Hace BSc & it gave me good opportunity to get a excellent job

It depends. It's different for different people. If you think that you need the validation of a degree, then it's worth it to YOU. Maybe you need a degree as a cost of entry to a certain career path. Depends on what you want.

Yes I would say so. I did it as a mature student.

Maybe not today

Yes., Yes and Yes. I proved to my mother, that yes, I am smart. It was worth every bloody Aussie dollar that it cost!

Post secondary education is the most essential, worthwhile to have especially in our current economic when Bachelor degree is a Dimond dozen.

If you need one then they are worth the cost but I didn't want a job that required a university degree and got a job that provided it's own study and education. My eldest child left school after year 10 and has always worked but has taken up study twice in order to take up another occupation. She is studying now in her own time to change occupations yet again. Both of my sons left in year 12 with the youngest doing an apprenticeship then later he added to his trade by undertaking further study. The eldest son took a job and also undertook further education to further his career and he is now doing another course at TAFE to change occupation to something he has always enjoyed and will enable him to work for himself and be his own boss doing something he enjoys. As parents we never pushed allowing them to decide for themselves, and they always have. They have found it is cheaper to study later in their own time although it does take time from spending it with their family.

depends what you want to be in life. I query the need for some courses to be totally degree as for example nursing - used to be a hands-on care by senses and gut, now for registered nurse to do the same and grow within needs a degree which on nurses wages can be quite difficult. Also some go into nursing to get a step to the degree course they wanted eg phyio or medicine. So why not keep nursing as a FT hands on and if want to explore higher educaiton later then do so. Dont get me wrong uni nurses can be great and come out with wonderful knowledge but not all capable of unsupervised 1st yr post grad if they can't get into a post grad programme. Some go straight into a chosen field and can then do post grad uni studies in that area. Will also limit those who do nursing at uni when they don't get ATAR for what they want - waste of nursing budget in one sense but some remember that basic knowledge later

I dropped out when I was 15 so no degree for me and I am not even interested in study again let alone pursuing a career at nearly 55 years of age.More to life then striving for perfection in everything.

It is worth the cost if you are going to pursue a career in the area you studied

it depends , i never finished high school

Everyone is unique

DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.L

TO EACH THEIR OWN

I did post secondary education to get me accepted into my chosen profession that I worked in for nearly fifty years - so yes well worth it. I did get paid for my study though.Edited 26-Jul-24 16:39pm

Depends upon the person, I left high school with no idea of what I wanted to be.

Depends on the person and what they want to do. I went to uni a little later in life and I enjoyed the experience and learning. I thought I was pretty good at critical thinking but after going to uni and learning a lot more I realised I wasn't as good at it as I thought. So it taught me that and how to thoroughly research and make sure I look at credible sources. So that and doing subjects that I enjoyed and socialising all made it worth it to me. I feel like there are too many people out there lacking in these basic skills which is sad and really should have been taught more in high school. Maybe they are now, been many years since I graduated.

My partner's brother has 2 degrees, ruined his marriage due to work stresses and left the university life at age 50. I worked for a NSW Government Dept and by then had realized that I was not built for the stresses of University life and the massive repayment of the HEX fees!

Yes

yes, if your goals align with post secondary education and you wish to be exposed to more opportunities in specific sectors that preference degrees and specialist education skills

We don’t have a choice. To keep employed we need to continue studying throughout our working lives.Edited 26-Jul-24 15:03pm

Depends on what you want to do - plumbers and other trades people make a very good wage and without having the stresses of management.

I think it is worth it to a degree...

It depends upon what you're studying. Only one of my children got a 4 year degree (on the GI bill after serving in the military,) and he went into law enforcement. One of my kids went to junior college for 4 yrs because he kept changing majors and he ended up with a managerial position in an IT company and makes more money than anyone else in the family. Another child finished community college and has a high position in a well-known car company. Also, welders make more money that a lot of people with college degrees.

I never went to university and have always been employed in well-paying jobs. My brother spent 4 years getting a chemistry degree and, after his first job, never used it again. Complete waste of time and money.

If it’s required for the work you are wanting to get into then yes, but it is a huge debt.

no

YES - I earned 2 Bachelor degrees and one Masters - ongoing learning is one of the most fulfilling experiences you can have!

I definitely think that post secondary education is worth it, in many cases, depending on what job you want I was enrolled in a two year program for a Retail Management degree, doing a coop program at a department store, when it was getting close to graduation time, I asked my store manager about their Buyer's program and he said that I wasn't eligible without a 4 year degree. I was far more qualified for the program than someone with a 4 year degree in English Lit, but they had qualifications. P.S. I got hired by another department store to work in their display department, It was the best job I ever had, and I got promoted to Display Manager in their newest branch store 5 years later!Edited 26-Jul-24 13:25pm

Put Simply No It is not worth it. Back in the day when I did a Bachelor's it was free the way it should be for all but the idiot user pays system introduced by brain dead Politicians is as stupid as they are. The Post Grad Work I paid for up to 3 PhD's and not a single one was worth what it cost but as I was working at the time and needed them they were useful till that company folded and I could not find a place to work in AU after that and actually making mention of those qualifications was a way to make sure you never got a job. I did work for 2 years in Germany which was as long as was allowed then not sure if it is still the same now but I did need those qualifications when working there but for 2 years work it was not worth the time and effort required to get them, just having the Phud in Mechanical Engineering would have been enough but it did mean I could stick my nose in in other places where Mech Engineers generally would be ignored though the truth be told I was probably ignored just as much. The Electrical Engineering came in handy for a 10 year stint with IBM but they insisted in putting DR before my name and I was constantly getting approached to help sick people on flights as because I am a Doctor I must know all about Medicine in the minds of the flight attendants. Edited 26-Jul-24 13:13pm

Depends on the person and the career they intend to achieve.

Yes, post secondary education would definitely be worth it! I have a post secondary diploma myself in accounting. Step by step, I am working towards something better - a certificate from the International Attestation of Professionals Career College. The course I'm focusing on right now is in statistics and eventually I'll be putting my name out for a few more, such as Bookkeeping, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Psychology. I have a dream starting a tutoring business someday and I have a good feeling these will come in handy.

For the real go getter achievers who don't mind the debt, then yes but I know a few phds and bscs that aren't even using their skills for which they fought so hard to get. They are doing menial jobs with a lot less pay than they could actually get using their skills. I think for the majority they go for the student life, parties and booze and drugs.

If it is what you want to do, then yeas, it would be worth it. If you are just doing it because you are being forced to or you are studying something you never plan to use in the future, you may want to ask yourself if it is worth doing. If you just want to study and learn new things to keep your brain active, then something like MOOCs would probably suit you best.

Yes it is necessary to landing a good job!

Most definitely

Of course it's worth it. No one can take away what you learned. Knowledge is for life.

It depends on what you want to do I think if you get a degree in what you want then it is worth the cost it takes you into a carear you are set on and you will earn the money to make it worth while

Depends on what u r studying & how far u want to go in that pathway

Its only worth it if you can actually get a reasonable job and use what you've learned.

If you have the ability & want to, yes go ahead with it. Some are suited to study & others are not interested. It depends on each individual on what they want from life.

?

Sometime things said easy then done. At the time when I need a posting overseas which requires credentials (govt job), I have to get a piece of paper ( a degree) to prove that I’m worth for the position. Mind you, I studied hard completed with two degrees when I graduated. I paid half of the fees n the department paid the other half. I have to paid upfront though. It’s hard to work full time n study part time. Lucky I’m on my own with only one elderly father who actually did all the cooking for me. 🤗 Best way for young people should get a full time job n study part time. This way it’s easier n find the course of study u r interested in. And the employer may subside your studies n time off to attend uni if necessary. Edited 26-Jul-24 09:29am

Only my Associates Degree which was pretty inexpensive to pay out of pocket at age 33. I was hired by the same community college as an adjunct professor in fitness and nutrition so it eventually paid off, but I went in origannly for early childhood ed and I was paid less than when I was a food server! It really depends on what will be the career that will make you happy. It's okay to have a good/satisfying job and not go to secondary school...or even be the stay-at-home parent so you don't have to drop your child off and pay a tin of money and miss those yrs. (I worked at a lovely daycare but $$$$. I have no children of my own, just an observation.)

my kid has a 70,000 hex debt and 3 degrees all of which have not helped in job placement, so im going to say no,

Don't have any post school education, other than computer courses, first aid, and real estate all of which expire. Think there are some that maybe worth while but many are not. Think maybe a trade that can be used later with a short refresh is good idea

Does post secondary mean tertiary? I went to technical college right out of school which was referred to as tertiary education. Had zero interest in going to university.

very difficult to guess in the present climate

Its only worth it if you can actually get a reasonable job and use what you've learned.

It depends on what you want to do as a career. If the career you want requires you to have a degree then go for it.

Depends.... if you live in west NO, post secondary is UNIVERSITY, expensive and today is not equal to year 11 40 years ago. Most education was done in person at the companies. Learned fact not theory what is MBA? We got degrees and it didn't come at a huge cost. USA has managed to lead the west down the garden path.

The value of post-secondary education can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances, career goals, and personal experiences. Many professions require a degree, and having one can open doors to higher-paying jobs and career advancement. Higher education provides specialized knowledge and skills that can be valuable in the job market. College and university environments offer opportunities to connect with peers, professors, and industry professionals. he experience can foster personal development, critical thinking, and a broader worldview Cost however, is a draw bacck. Time in your later years is also a big draw back. So if you have time , and or the money, it never could hurt .

Think global act local

I wasn't brilliant at school. Fortunately an astute teacher spotted that I was the type of person that learns stuff by doing it, not listening to it. I obtained an on the job qualification at sea, which ultimately saw me as a ship's captain. I was paid the whole time I was learning. It isn't a university degree, and it did have some in school work, but it got me a satisfying lifelong career. How many intellectual derelicts with a string of degrees do you know that couldn't readily tie their shoelaces or ride a bike?Edited 26-Jul-24 07:36am

long term

Yes!

Yes definitely. Got hired after my internship & recently retired after 45 years

yes an experience I will remember

Post-secondary education depends on what job you want to do. For jobs like being a doctor or lawyer, a degree is obviously a necessity. For more "normal" jobs, a degree is often far less useful (despite fools who expect to be paid more just for having a degree even when it has nothing to do with the job they're doing!) because university courses tend to be a lot of theoretical stuff, but it is little practical use in "normal" jobs. In some cases a technical training institute can be a better idea. They give practical courses and often have work placements with employers which gives students actual work experience, which is often far more valuable. Some technical institutes are also universities, so you can get still get the degree at the end of the course too. Either option of course is expensive, and getting more expensive every year, (and these days includes ever-growing student "loans" that are meant to be repaid) which is why some people have to work while doing part-time courses or do course through their job.Edited 26-Jul-24 07:29am

Not always

Not early on. If u can get an apprenticeship go for it! Why be in debt when you can get a trade and make money immediately? Late on, if you realise that what you are doing isn't what you wanted, THEN you have the money and can go study what you want WITHOUT going into debt.

yes it gave me a good start in life i became a plumbing tutor after 40 years as a plumber

For me choosing to upgrade my skills at age 35, definitely worth it! I’m a qualified elderly/rest home nurse and diploma in early childhood education. It was challenging studying, working and raising two boys as a solo parent, however it gave us much better financial stability. One never stops learning!

While learning is highly desirable, (it beats ignorance/intolerance), the cost of post sec education is just ridiculous worldwide....it's like screening esp. youth out of an education/livlihood, burdening them with debt, shifted perspectives and oftentimes with no guarantee for employment/survival afterwards. My Masters also costed far more than it was worth and I still had to leverage skills to find meaningful work and paid off that loan. I can value higher education as compared with the alternatives and see where it's worth having the experience, but it's definitely NOT worth the price. There are many ways to raise an intelligent/educated population from pre-school, home school/ discipline to high/secondary schools that offer practical and "necessary" education (trades, survival skills, home and transportation maintenance, taxation etc.) Yet, we have whatever we have (more debt than value for education) and hope we're not stuck with it for too much longer. 😉

Yes, I feel it is worth it. However, the cost of college has gone way to high.

Employers want qualifications but they also want experience they're ridiculous

I honestly do not think it is always so, my Son finished high school, no extra training, he has his own business now and doing great.

it's so doesn't. i said it.

I have no idea. My education ceased in Form Four which is Year 10. However I did complete a couple of diplomas further on and can honestly say I never ever was out of work which I believe is the end goal when it comes to education.

I did fine with a high school education because I'm not ambitious, and only need enough money to supply me with the things I truly need. I'm happy with the simple life. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, our wealth, or treasure, lies in the life our Creator has promised us in the Bible, and feel it's more important to do the will of God, than the will of Satan, the Devil, who rules over the earth, but not for too much longer! (Please read: Proverbs 2:4,5; Revelation 12:7-9, 21:1-5, and chapter 20; Psalms 37:29; Matthew 6:10; John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:3,4) ;-D

Gduated

Generally yes, but it depends of what you choose.

I don't have a college degree. So, I personally cannot speculate on whether getting a college degree is worth it.... Still one of my 'biggest regrets in life' - is I did not go to college after graduating from 'NIGHT' high school - since I QUALIFY for an academic scholarship to any PUBLIC university in the State of Ohio - USA. Furthermore, going to college was not being 'push' when I was young.... lol!Edited 26-Jul-24 21:58pm

It depends on what career you are going into.

Well, yes it is. That's how obtained by qualifications and managed and managed to secure employment whilst going to business college then went to their night classes when got a job, and signed up for 2x4 year courses for Lower and Higher Book-keeping via Correspondence which I completed in under 4 years instead of 8years. So was a work all day, 2nights a week at night classes, the other studies did at home at my own pace plus practically ran the house, looked after 2 much younger brothers as mum worked broken shift and dad wasn't much help with anything.

ty,hi Squirrelsmo

Degree is worth it

I took some secondary education and went to work, it helped with knowing the skills needed. I did that twice and changed careers twice with them and happen to still use those skills today. I work for myself now, and have most of my life.

depends on your career goals

depends on situation

All depends what career path that you are going for in college.

Unless you get a disagree with a high paying job and feel content in life with your success.

Yes. however. going for the degree is where you have to pay for money. if you go and tell them you are seeking knowledge with no degree the cost difference is insane. youre paying for the paper that said you did it. and in the end that doesnt even seem to matter

Not unless your job will pay you more, lots of people pay for a graduate degree that gets them nothing.

YES!! It costs money but you're much more likely to be hired, even if not in your field of choice right off the bat. It may take a while to get to your goal, but a lot of businesses won't even look at your resume if you don't have at least one year of college.

Depends on where the degree takes you.

TO THAT IS 100% YES YOU NEED EDUCATION AND AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TO GET A GOOD JOB MIKE

It depends what the degree is in and how helpful for your desired career. I know of a few people without a degree who make more money than those with one.