which college leaves students in the most debt?

[cookderosa]

Can anyone provide articles or information on which degrees are most likely to give the best paychecks?

or...How many of the B.S. degrees don't pay enough and people need to go on to get an M.S. in their chosen field?

or...information or statistics on which degrees are more likely to result in immediate employment after completion?


Just curious if that information is out there.

At the technical center I work at there has been some discussion lately as some persons with degrees and masters are returning to become nurses, as their jobs have gone overseas. One in particular comes to mind, engineers. A man came to register and stated that their jobs can now be done overseas on computers. I'm sure this has to do with his particular specialty but wondering what information is really out there for people to review.

All that and more in the dept of labor occupational handbook - should be required reading before paying for any degree IMO.
The U.S. Department of Labor Home Page

[april004]

An old coworker of mine was in trade school to get her associates in medical assisting.

I don't know why these people are lead to believe medical assisting pays a goldmine. It doesn't. Barely above minimum wage if one is lucky. She graduated with her associates making $7.50!

I, as an Lpn without the associate degree actually make a bit more.

My sister decided to go to one of those for profit career schools for her medical assistant diploma. I tried to talk her out of it and told her if that's what she planned to do the local community college would do just fine and would be much cheaper.

Did she listen?

No. So now she owes over $10,000 making...you guessed it..$7.50 an hr. The doctor she works for provides no benefits. The classes she took for her medical assistant diploma won't even transfer.

[malcs]

To some extent, jobs in these fields can be outsourced, especially the lower-level stuff. The only jobs that really cannot be outsourced are hands-on, like anything involving direct patient care (physicians, nurses, allied health) or other physically-oriented work. If you want permanent job security and high pay, get a BSLS and a plumbing apprenticeship.

You have got that right. This country has allowed H1B visa holders to take large numbers of these jobs. The intention of that visa was to bring in specialists that could not be found locally. Instead, they have brought in people to take the jobs of the highly skilled and employed US citizens.

I am sent many ads weekly that say they are open to H1B visa holders, despite the fact that there are Americans with the requisite skills that can't find work.

[Griffin]

An old coworker of mine was in trade school to get her associates in medical assisting.

I don't know why these people are lead to believe medical assisting pays a goldmine. It doesn't. Barely above minimum wage if one is lucky. She graduated with her associates making $7.50!

I, as an Lpn without the associate degree actually make a bit more.

Exactly! Same with CNA -- everyone and their donkey took CNA classes where I came from. My first real "job" was as a pre-CNA... later I found out I made more in my small town than actual CNAs made in the nearest major city.

If you're going to bother, go for regionally-accredited nursing! LPNs and RNs make a lot more, have better benefits and better job security.

[Griffin]

You have got that right. This country has allowed H1B visa holders to take large numbers of these jobs. The intention of that visa was to bring in specialists that could not be found locally. Instead, they have brought in people to take the jobs of the highly skilled and employed US citizens.

I am sent many ads weekly that say they are open to H1B visa holders, despite the fact that there are Americans with the requisite skills that can't find work.

In my area at least, it has to do with the shortage of experienced health care workers. If someone has 5 years of US experience in nursing and a spotless record, there's no reason to give the job to someone with no experience, less experience, or a spotty employment history. This happens all the time here.

Also, the commonly-held misconception is that H1B visa holders are somehow transient and will "go back" at some point. My MIL works with a couple that is originally from China. They came to the US, became nurses and had their family here. Ultimately, they became citizens, but the process takes near-forever with no guarantees of citizenship. They've been here like thirty years now.

It also reminds me of my friend who is from New Zealand. Last year, she went to get her car tag renewed and was yelled at about "dangerous illegals" who want to "take her job" by some wanna-be congressman. This is funny to me, because at the time she was "illegal" because of a paperwork delay. But being a beautiful white woman, she doesn't fit the profile of the mythological "dangerous illegal who steals jobs!" They actually won't give her a work visa per se because there are so many americans who need the jobs more. So instead she's became a successful artist in her own right and sells her work herself (which they've allowed).

[nick94]

Also, the commonly-held misconception is that H1B visa holders are somehow transient and will "go back" at some point. My MIL works with a couple that is originally from China. They came to the US, became nurses and had their family here. Ultimately, they became citizens, but the process takes near-forever with no guarantees of citizenship. They've been here like thirty years now.

But the large majority of H1B visa holders do return home. As I argued this topic during the debate season I know a little bit about it.

Whoops! Off the topic!

[Griffin]

But the large majority of H1B visa holders do return home. As I argued this topic during the debate season I know a little bit about it.

Whoops! Off the topic!

That's true, my point is that there are lots of people who reside in the US permanently or semi-permanently who aren't officially permanent residents and who don't want to be citizens -- or for some reason can't go for either.

Sorry for the thread-jack. :o

[Gary]

[QUOTE=alissaroot]Here's an article about which majors pay well by average salary:
Top 10 Paying College Majors -- Education-Portal.com

While Chem engineers make a good salary, manufacturing is going overseas + H-1B's are taking some of those same jobs. Many of these students are stuck w/high student debt. Our Sunoco process engineers said jobs were stagnant for awhile, when the margins increased, more trainees were brought in. As the margins decrease, some will probably be let go. As for Dept of Labor website, while they can be a predictor of future jobs, it is not totally accurate due to unforseen market conditions. For example, students flocked to Law School dreaming of making big $$$, not to mention the financial sector. Now, law students are looking at paying off huge student loans and an uncertain job market for quite a number of years.

The below goes slightly off topic so you have been warned.

H1B Visa Fraud uncovered expect more legislation

H1B Visa Lawyer - 20,000 visas still available! :: Visa Lawyer Blog

PROTECT AMERICAN JOBS!