Who is taking a bigger risk? - Page 2

DeeYakaBaka · #11 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve-O

Trons is right companies want results, nowadays anyone from a middle class family goes to college. They try to scare you into it by saying "if you don't get a degree you won't get a good job" the truth is unless you are going into a specialized field you don't really need it.

perhaps im way off the mark here and things are different in ireland than the US but all i know is that in this country if u dont have a degree then u have nothing except a minimum wage job and a boss that treats u like crap and will trade u in for an immigrant without thinking twice bout it.
of course a tradesman is different-dunno how their hour is so valuable

the other thing is that, even tho i will stand by my "something to fall back on" opinion, the fact that education is freeish over here but costs an absolute bomb over there should be a major consideration.

i mean whats the point in spending close to 100k (steve-o's estimate) on a piece of paper if u got no notion of ever utilising it?

DeeYakaBaka · #12 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve-O

thats a good one, but you could spell his name right at least

hell im just getting to grips with the fact that people actually play a "sport" on ice hitting a little metal thing round with a stick and fight every now and again.

hasnt really caught on in ireland yet

Steve-O · #13 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 03:41 PM

Thats true in Germany to, you are either

An office type worker with a degree

A craftsman or Tradesman

A waiter/retail worker/insert any other low wage job

The US is different in the amount of small buisness opportunities here. 93% of people in the US who retire as millionaires owned thier own buisness, 5% worked for somone, and the rest is made up of lotteries/inheritance/and such

The US is a whole different animal in these regards than Europe. Hell a bartender at a hot club in the US can make 1000 a night. THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN EUROPE

A Union laborer in the US makes $20+ an hour, carpenters/welders $50-100. no degree

DeeYakaBaka · #14 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 03:48 PM

well, i gave my general opinion and now i realise from u guys that although it is prob the right approach for this side of the pond, that a different approach to life is needed over yonder.

guess i'll sit the rest of this one out.....
you can find me in the bar planning my route across the states and chattin up the barmaid. seriously, shes giving me the eye.......

Beavis68 · #15 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 04:06 PM

It's only a failure if you stop trying - Beavis

100k for 4 years of schooling? Tutition ain't that much, and he already pays the room and board.

Degrees can be important if you know what field you want to get into. If you don't not sure what the point is.

I took kind of a fucked up path through school, and I am now paying the price.

I did get the postion I wanted in my company, but it took 9 years, and an effective pay-cut to get it, and when I was "promoted" into the job, I basically came in at college grad pay level.

If you want some advice - "Plastics" or at least chemical engineering.

Steve-O · #16 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 04:11 PM

its gotta be 100K tuition, books, etc. not to mention lost income in that period and the interst you end up paying on student loans.

ShawnE · #17 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 04:17 PM

It is really funny the difference in comments and opinion from this forum vs one of the ones I posted it in, I expected this type of feedback which is more productive for me than the ones I got over here: http://buzzlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61829

If you check that out you'll be amazed at the idiots there. Anyhow, I plan on getting my degree I start next spring, it won't cost me 100k, but I have the money for it, so that's not an issue. THe issue is I am one to follow my dreams at any cost, I refuse to spend the one life I have on this earth living in a way I don't want to, e.g working in a corporate life when I know it kills me, not living my life on my terms.

I am not afraid at all of taking the risk of doing something I love, I've taken so many risks in life and am still alive and don't regret one bit of it. My point of the thread was more about society and those of us who follow our dreams vs those who just want to be comfortable.

And even then those idiots at that link still didn't get my point. Sigh. If I do go poker full time and it doesn't work out for me I will still live, I will still be able to get a job a career, so why they were responding the way they were is beyond me. But I do appreciate you guys feedback as it makes a lot more sense.

Thanks

ShawnE · #18 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trons

Keep in mind shawn that most people see a college degree as a way to insure their future. They don't realize that this isn't the '80s and college degrees don't go as far as they used to...

My take on the situation is that companies are getting away from requireing degrees for all but specific jobs. They will take "Or equilivant training/experience" As far as being corperate material is concerned, I can't really comment on because I'm the exact same way. The only real big difference is that I have a family to support so I can't take a risky jump unless I have serious amounts in the bank because I have to have insurance and a steady income. My wife and kids come first.

In my opinion, any type of hard decision about your future so early in life is a risk. There are a slight few who determine what they love early in life and work towards that goal and have very happy lives. That's the silent minority. The most of us get the training or degree for a decent career then determine that we hate it, but we have the degree so we might as well use it and make more money doing that then starting entry level in a job we would love.

Personally, I love playing poker. I read about it, watch it on TV, I play it relax, I play it to wake up. I dream about it, I study it and I'm constantly trying to improve. I have also realized that while I love it, I'm not very good. I used to think I was, but I've had to realize that I'm hovering somewhere below average in skill level (there go my dreams of winning the WSOP ME next year

).

I also realize that while I love it, there is no way I could do this for a living. One reason is that I'm not that good, but the other reason is because I have a short attention span. I like tourney play, not ring play. I could never sit at the poker table for 8 hours grinding it out. I have trouble playing consistantly for 3+ hours in MTT freerolls. I realize that I have these weaknesses, and I'm working on them. Right now, Poker is like a decent hobby. Keeps my wife happy because it doesn't cost money and it gives me something to think about while I'm grinding it out at my regular job and things get to the point I want to scream

Follow your dreams when your young. I have no regrets about my past. I spent time in the military, got to see some great places (the navy is great as a travel agent), met a beautiful woman when I needed it and now have a great family. I honestly believe that I followed my dreams and I'm happy for it. If I now have a new dream, I figure that's normal.

Luckily I don't have those issues you have (short attention span etc) at the poker table. I have grinded it out at the tables, doesn't bother me one bit, it's better than sitting in this office at my desk where I am right now, listening to these idiots around me, drive me insane.

Even though I LOVE my job, my boss is great, and I can come and go as I please as long as the work is done, but still something irks me about it. I get paid quite well, but knowing that this isn't my passion, and yet I sit here day in and day out doing it is hell to me.

Irexes · #19 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 04:27 PM

Everyone is different and there is no "right" way to do things.

I got my degree aged 21.

Was completely out of work for almost 2 years. Character building apparently.

Had various short dead-end jobs for a bit.

Got a job at the bottom of the pile where I now work nearly 10 years ago and now (7 promotions later) am one step from the top and a director at 32 and very, very happy with my lot in life.

The degree didn't help at all at the start but I would have hit a glass celing without it (and wouldn't have been able to pick up other qualifications along the way).

I have no particular vocation for what I do, I just drifted that way through circumstance. But I plan to retire by 45 and long before then have the chance to play a lot more poker for a far greater return than currently. There's also a bunch of other things I have planned.

Only thing that matters is your determination and willpower whatever you decide to do. And never, ever blame other people for where you find yourself.

ShawnE · #20 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 04:33 PM

My own determination and will power involving this (poker) is stronger than anything other thing I have ever been determined at, that's what scares me. So I know I have to do something with it.

You know how everyone finds that one thing they are really great at, well other than my other hobbies this is it for me. Poker involves a lot for those who may laugh at that last statement, reading other's, mental sharpness, being able to use your intellect to make correct decisions.