Private University or Trade school?

[Ack]

And then there's the part where some people are just not going to succeed no matter how many opportunities are given to them because they're dumb. No one really likes to think about that reality.

That's also true, though not always because they're dumb. Some folks will fail regardless, just like some folks will succeed no matter the obstacles that they face.

[JsGameRoom]

And then there's the part where some people are just not going to succeed no matter how many opportunities are given to them because they're dumb. No one really likes to think about that reality.

That's also true, though not always because they're dumb. Some folks will fail regardless, just like some folks will succeed no matter the obstacles that they face.

I like going with the they are dumb approach like he did haha

[Jmustang1968]

Blu makes great points.

@Jmustang1968
Remember your personal observations are only a tiny world view. You mention being overweight/big guy. Do you think your personal observations would be the same if you were an overweight woman instead? Your struggles on equal footing? Yes all people can work hard and try to better their life, but we definitely don't all have as hard of a time. Race, sexual orientation and sex among many other factors really effects your chances in life of bettering yourself. Some peoples boots might not even have a bootstrap to even grab a hold of.

I think some of your are arguing against a conservative talking point instead of things I actually said. I know some people have it worse than others, and some people hace headstarts. But the opportunities are there, all one has to do is grasp them.

[Ack]

And then there's the part where some people are just not going to succeed no matter how many opportunities are given to them because they're dumb. No one really likes to think about that reality.

That's also true, though not always because they're dumb. Some folks will fail regardless, just like some folks will succeed no matter the obstacles that they face.

I like going with the they are dumb approach like he did haha

Sure, but dumb implies a lack of intelligence. I've known some smart folks who failed because they were lazy, not dumb.

[Forlorn Drifter]

Blu makes great points.

@Jmustang1968
Remember your personal observations are only a tiny world view. You mention being overweight/big guy. Do you think your personal observations would be the same if you were an overweight woman instead? Your struggles on equal footing? Yes all people can work hard and try to better their life, but we definitely don't all have as hard of a time. Race, sexual orientation and sex among many other factors really effects your chances in life of bettering yourself. Some peoples boots might not even have a bootstrap to even grab a hold of.

I always, always hear that the minorities have it worse, but I don't really see it, personally. All of the minorities I know and who put in the work? They got somewhere, they've done something with themselves. I know a guy who got put through college with four consecutive $12,000 scholarships because he was gay. I've recently watched many of my classmates who were Hispanic get large scholarships for being Hispanic and having good grades. The minorities I know who haven't done well, didn't because they either chose a different path, or chose to focus on a different lifestyle. My top 10% in my class was all Hispanic excluding myself and two others, both females, one of them bisexual. A lesbian girl in my class managed to get a full ride, along with gay exclusive scholarships. I managed to get enough scholarships for 1 year only because I'm going into the agricultural field, and I found enough small scholarships to build up.

And I will say this- A&M has a certain number of spots they have to fill with minorities each year, and they do it and then some nearly every time. They lauded the fact that this year was one of the first where female and male enrollment were equal.

I'm tired of being told I have it so much better because I'm a straight white male. That's not how it works- I was poorer than the majority of minorities I went to school with, and the few I was above economically had actual reasons for their problems, along with the poor whites at my school. Hell, I've listened to so many people talk about how hard it is to get put down your whole life as if I haven't been. I've never made it a month without getting called white trash, or trailer trash, or an inbred redneck. I'm assumed stupid, they apply the stereotypes, they hurl all kind of insults. And I'm not allowed to respond, because that would be racist, or homophobic, or sexist. I'm not allowed to defend myself or say anything.

I wouldn't even go to college if it was my choice, because at least then nobody could make fun of me if I fail. I have a feeling I'll be one of those forced to drop out of college for some reason. I didn't even want to go considering how much money it costs, and I'm not letting my parents pay for shit, because they've payed for enough. If I have to drop out to keep myself or them out of debt, I'm damned well going to do it. Because I've already exhausted all the help I can get.

[pepharytheworm]

what about when Irish people were slaves and Mormons were persecuted?

And who were the people persecuting them? It wasn't the minorities of america.

[JsGameRoom]

what about when Irish people were slaves and Mormons were persecuted?

And who were the people persecuting them? It wasn't the minorities of america.

blame canada

[flex wood]

So I am starting college classes for computer networking/general IT in the next two weeks. The program had a 98% placement in the field last year and 100% placement the year before.

It's a two year program and for this year alone I had to take out an extra $7500 after grants and state and federal loans to cover school. Good rates on the loans but I wouldn't be able to have gotten them without a cosigner.

This sound good or bad to anyone? I'm 29 and excited for classes to start. It was nice to read Dave's thoughts on older students/non traditional students taking his course. I know we have a few people on the board in the IT field it would be nice to hear their experiences on their schooling.

[Ack]

So I am starting college classes for computer networking/general IT in the next two weeks. The program had a 98% placement in the field last year and 100% placement the year before.

It's a two year program and for this year alone I had to take out an extra $7500 after grants and state and federal loans to cover school. Good rates on the loans but I wouldn't be able to have gotten them without a cosigner.

This sound good or bad to anyone? I'm 29 and excited for classes to start. It was nice to read Dave's thoughts on older students/non traditional students taking his course. I know we have a few people on the board in the IT field it would be nice to hear their experiences on their schooling.

Likely $15k in debt with an unknown interest rate and a high chance of having a successful position afterward? Sounds a lot better than what it took for my master's degree, which was just over $30k for two years with a 6.8% interest rate, since I had little means of earning an income while in school. I just hope you don't have to wait for two more years after to find a job like I did! I'll pay off this debt eventually, but it's taking a while.

[jp1]

It bothers me that we seem to be limiting our views on what success must mean to be solely economic or educational.

jp1, you have a successful marriage, a good family, and strong friendships. I don't care how much money you make or what you've done in life, it sounds like you have success in some ways that I don't, and we both share a common interest in the same hobby which has brought us together to talk about it.

Yes, a lot of folks don't make it in one respect or another. For every guy in the NBA, there's a 100 who didn't make it. For every famous musician, writer, or artist, there are thousands more who didn't make it. For every successful business owner, God only knows how many failed. But their lives aren't over, and they can still experience success in some other way, and they can still drive and fight and try again. Sure, there are a lot of folks who didn't make it and got dealt the shit end of the stick more than once in some form or fashion. I know quite a few. To me, it really comes down to how many of them tried and still try, and how many of them gave up and quit. I know poor folks who pushed and pushed and found their own success, and I know rich folks from "good" families who completely squandered everything and now do nothing with themselves except do drugs and complain. I also know which ones of those two groups that I prefer to be around and which ones I consider to be a success and would rather emulate.

Ack, I am glad to see your contributions to this thread. I agree completely and although I have taken my sweet time getting to that point, I was driving at it near the end of my discussion. Someone's bank account is probably the last consideration I make when considering their character. I do respect the hard work and dedication that goes into building a good career or earning a good degree. It just doesn't define a person, like you've pointed out.

Jmustang, I feel as though you are taking these posts as a direct attack on you, and not as a response to the thread in large. I honestly was never looking to get into it with you. I have noticed on several occasions where you posted things indicating a more tolerant attitude than those that are generally being addressed here.

More great contributions from Blu, Pephary, and others as well. Dsh too, though he is obviously being a bit more playful now to lighten things up.

Jsgameroom,