College versus Online Marketing
This is a subject that has been discussed at one time or another by many here, and is one that you could agree to disagree on forever, depending on your viewpoint...
MY EXPERIENCE
Today I made a comment on a blog post by a young man here who is working on his Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and he is half-way through the program (Big congrats to him BTW).
A kudo is in order...
His name is Dalton, and his post can be seen here...
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/daltontberry/blog/...
It is worth a bit of your time to give him a small congrats on his accomplishment... ; )
I know he would appreciate a kind word...
So what has his success to do with me you ask?
In reading his post, and writing my reply, it sparked a reflective moment of my own past when it comes to formal education, the trials and tribulations to complete programs, and what they have added to my life since...
I completed 4 degrees in 9 years way back when, and years later applied for and was accepted into a Doctoral program, which I did not complete, although I did go through almost 4 years of classes (I was an ABD, which is shorthand for All But Dissertation)...
Life got in the way of the last program, and during that time I had to make a choice: Save the business or save the degree...I chose the business (bad choice, it eventualy succumbed to economic events many were taken down by 9 years ago)...
I did manage to escape that endeavor with enough money and assets to linger on and start a new business, which is doing well, knock on wood...
Prior to that and what helped me persevere, I had the following alternative 'education' as well...
I call this the 'hands on' part of my education...
Over 25 years I was taking on progressively more responsible leadership roles in the US Army... During that period, I was exposed more than a few times to many life-threatening events and situations...This alone will change your perspective on life...
Basically, I joined the military at 17, and I was 'retired' at 42. In hindsight, that seems like a young age to retire...I had packed a lifetime of life into those years, a mindset that is especially applicable when you realize that the next minute might be your last (you tend to do that, believe me)...
I also ran external businesses while in the military, invested in real estate and stocks, etc., and even spent 10 years teaching courses as an associate professor for some overseas universities and colleges (for extra money)...
I was busy...
WAS THE INVESTMENT IN THE BRICKS AND MORTAR EDUCATION WORTH IT?
This is something that is very subjective, but I would say that it was a crucial element to whatever successes I may have had over the years. The college and university lessons did help me be a more effective leader, get things done, and could be applied to many aspects of my job(s)/roles...
But...
Book knowledge will only take you so far...I worked with some West Pointers (our best military academy in the USA for military officers) who had zero common sense, and many more that were wonderful...
It just goes to show you that although education - even the BEST education - can teach you things, it does not necessarily transfer into ability to manage, lead, solve problems, or relate to and influence people to do what needs to be done but what they may not want to do (people surrounding you are central to much of your success or failure I believe)...
WHAT ABOUT TODAY? IS IT STILL WORTH IT?
My experiences took place years ago now, and these days the paradigm has shifted.
Here is what I think these days:
If you are of the entrepreneurial mind, the shackles of not having enough money, not having the opportunity, or not knowing how to proceed have been blown away by the internet and the many opportunities that have arisen for ALL people...
I think that improving yourself through learning is a life process and one that you should never abandon (I have not)...The bricks and mortar lessons you will learn are a requirement for some fields that you may want to enter, so they have their place...
You likely would not want to go to a doctor who got his degree on the internet, or a psychologist who completed an online program (with no hands on experience), etc.
But...
The cost, the time you are losing, and the likelihood that you will spend many hours working for someone else in exchange for a set amount of money so that someone else can make money makes less and less sense these days...
Here is what I am advising my grandchildren (it's too late with my daughters, their paths were set long ago, as they also went through the bricks and mortar routine and their lives are in place and comfortable as it can be having 3 kids each hehe)...
MY ADVICE TO MY GRANDCHILDREN
Get the schooling, but learn a trade or skill that you can fall back on in case you cannot find the job you want at the pay you want. Better yet, consider an online business and become your own boss...
Of course, I am hoping that at some point, one of the 6 will want to take over from me when I decide to ride off into the sunset...I will do everything within my power to have a situation/business they can take over/grow and build on what I leave them...
MY ADVICE APPLIES TO EVERYONE HERE...
One of the beautiful things (there are many) about online marketing is that it does not matter how old or young you are, the color of your skin, if you are beautiful or not as beautiful, if you are overweight or underweight, male or female, tall or short, etc.
It simply does not matter!
This online marketing is something we can ALL do, as long as we have access to the internet, learn the skills required and apply them in a concentrated manner to your own online business...
If you feel the need to get a bricks and mortar education, that is certainly one route to follow, but make sure you have a back up plan so you can build a life that you have some degree of control of, is purpose driven, and not just driven (by others)...
Thanks for reading, had to get that off my chest today!
Add your thoughts below, I am curious as to what others think and what their experiences may have taught them...
Cheers!
Dave : )
Recent Comments
43
Hi Dave thanks for sharing your info. I agree with your assessment, You see I went to collage went 3 yrs and did not finish. I did begin working in the financial industry fresh out of high school, which I continued through my entire career. I eventually learned as much street smarts as possible, had a business in the mortgage industry and did very well until the fall in 2007-8. Hence I had been searching for my second career. I love sales and marketing, and realized, internet is the future, so here I am. You are right, my reasons for pursuing this is yes, age dose not matter, the fact we have the flexability to work when we want and on our own terms basically. I am 59, and my happy time is spending with my grandchildren and having a career at the same time. Who says you cant have them both?
Thank you for sharing,
Hello, Sylvia...
You and I are at a similar stage in our lives, and it is not a bad place to be hehe (not like we have a choice!)...
Life does get in the way of things, but in making the best of the hand dealt you can build a life that in meaningful and has rewards...
Most certainly you have done this and having 3 grown daughters and the grandkids is a kind of affirmation that you have done well...
With your professional background that required constant interacting with people, I know that you understand when I mention influencing people to do this or that to move them in the direction you would like them to move...
This online marketing is not unlike this, it is just using a different set of tools to get the job done...Fortunately here we have what we need to just that...
When I see and read the posts from some of the younger members here, I wonder what my course in life may have been had I started with online marketing 10 years ago instead of 2...
But even as we get started in a later period of life, our chances are equal if not a bit better for having all the offline experiences that help fill in the framework provided with the Wealthy Affiliate platform...
Another advantage that the likes of us have is that we have the hard part of life behind us (hopefully) and can better enjoy the moments that we have...
Hopefully the generation after next will be able to soak up a bit from us and carry on even further and in a way that they too can build a purpose-driven life...
I do appreciate you adding in your thoughts here and wish you well with your online endeavors and also your giving back activities you are involved in!
Cheers!
Dave : )
Yes, money management is an important skill not addressed in traditional college courses (at least they weren't when I was enrolled)...
I used to bring in some of the community folks for that kind of thing for my troops - some of them had no clue whatsoever...That is an example where you had to think around a problem hehe...
Cheers!
Dave : )
If money management is taught in formal education, credit card companies, for instance, will not make so much money. It may have been a ploy to keep people ignorant.
Ignorance is bliss...Yes, that could have been a factor why it was not a part of the curriculum...In my case, I either was proactive to teach the folks about this stuff, or I had to deal with the fallout of them not knowing...Letters from business or other people saying the person was not paying, late in paying, etc. Good point!
Guten Tag Dave, i heard your based in Deutschland - wie geht es ihnen???
I agree 100% with all that you say Dave. Doing WA part time and learning these new skills can do nothing but improve oneself and personally I am always looking for new projects in life.
Exactly as you say above - always looking to improve myself through learning.
I have been so swamped by the day job and so so committed to my organization in recent years that it is only in the past few months that I have started to look at plan b / back up plan.
I see what you have done...you are clearly on a different level...I admire your achievements.
The affiliate marketing training here is outstanding - how does one get to your level though?
I seen Kyle's post yesterday about e commerce training and drop shipping - that sounds really exciting and something I will try.
That's it from me, hope your own online activities grows from strength to strength!
Danke
Guten Tag Paul!
Ja, ich bin ein Berliner (kidding, actually my home is outside Frankfurt am Main)...
Es geht mir gut, danke!
I really appreciate your input, and I think there are a lot of folks here that are high-speed, low drag...
This place is the best and I think we can take it to the next level ===> Uber best hehe!
Seriously. though, Carson and Kyle have built something online that has no match...
I am a babe in the woods compared to these two, but they are the goal, the end point, the standard that I am striving to reach...
They are what makes me say confidently that the path to success and freedom these days is NOT only having a piece of paper on your "I love me" wall...
Together we will move forward and succeed and conquer is how I feel, and most certainly there is strength in numbers...
There are such folks here at WA...You and I can stand with them M8!
Thanks so much for adding your input here...I really like this place and the people who are here, you included!
Cheers!
Dave : )
What a great topic for discussion. Thank you for your thoughts and sharing them. I feel that online opportunities are changing the way we perceive formal institutional education and these institutions are becoming better because of it.
Most of us joined WA as a school to learn how to work with this "new" technology of the internet, eCommerce, online marketing, and so on and so on in order to leverage this education to make money.
Formal education is and has been no different. It is a business and the online courses have created a tremendous competition to these institutions. You point out, expertly I might add, that there are now options for us to consider in addition to institutional education to learn how to make money. This competition has changed institutional education for the better. When I went to college, I felt more like a "number" than I ever did as a soldier. The impression that I got was as long as my grades remained satisfactory, I could enjoy the privilege to stay and of course pay at that fine institution. Now, due to this online competition, I believe that students are being treated with greater respect and more care is promoted than ever before. This gives our children and grandchildren the opportunity to look at education as perhaps the way the Greeks once did and that is from a philosophical standpoint. Philosophy literally translated is "love of wisdom".
Because the online world is rich with knowledge and opportunities to make money, perhaps we will find that formal, advanced, institutional learning will be less about how to make money and more about fulfilling our natural desire toward loving wisdom.
Thanks, Tony for your kind words...
You have added a lot of wisdom to the conversation, as have others, and I like the gist of where you are going...
Competition IS good...
I too can relate to the feeling of being a number, in some courses back in those days more than others...This was the case for me, especially with the first degree, an AA...I was a young pup with a couple of kids in diapers...
In spite of that feeling, it worked for me at that moment, as it helped speed up my promotions in the military...I was there for that agenda, not to get educated...As I continued on, I discovered I liked learning...
My attitude changed with the first REALLY tough professor who bled red all over the first paper I ever submitted to him (best lesson for me to that time) and I stood back up from that beatdown and kept on going...
More on Competition
On your competition point, I think you are spot on - The online programs, as well as the more focused platforms like Wealthy Affiliate, ARE forcing the bricks and mortar colleges and universities to step up their game, or lose the game...
That is a real boon for the kids...
Debt Issues
What is hard for me to fathom is the debt that many of today's students are forced to shoulder and the almost loan-shark like interest rates that they have to pay for years and years...With no relief allowed...
Almost like prisons for profit, it seems counter-intuitive that this is allowed to go on...It looks like this will not be changing for 4 years, so the potential students need to be aware of their options so they can make a wise choice...
Passion for Wisdom
I loved teaching, by the way, and this is the case still...At that time, I did it to make money obviously too, but there is something about seeing the lights go one in the student's heads, see them grow and blossom in front of you...
Wrap Up
Certainly, I like your positive and optimistic outlook, and who can argue with loving wisdom...It sure beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick or listening to one more damn alternative fact (what the heck is THAT?!)...
Cheers!
Dave : )
Thx DaveSw
I don’t prefer long contents, but in your writing "College versus Online Marketing" I agree 100% with every single written line.
Everyone influence on personal life path with own decisions, accepted or not accepted. In both cases there raise out results, only directions of developing situations are opposite usually.
Wise question which everyone should ask yourself anytime should be: "What I am doing with MY life?" Then ACT accordingly to own answer, in spite of very different influences from all around.
All good & give U5, bp
P.S.:
Regarding the reason why we are members of Wealthy Affiliate, there is sence to quote your advice to your grandchildren again:
"Get the schooling, but learn a trade or skill that you can fall back on in case you cannot find the job you want at the pay you want. Better yet, consider an online business and become your own boss..."
Thanks for stopping by and adding your thoughts in...This is actually one of my smaller posts hehe...I tend to fully explain my points, I used to get paid by the word (kidding)...
The subject is an interesting one and is really important for the young folks looking for direction. I want to provide an accurate picture for them when they ask...
Some may say, you have yours (education), so why are you trying to convince the young folks NOT to get theirs...I would say that these days a degree does not guarantee you much...
Cheers!
Dave : )
Exactly, there are more and more youngs with degree without proper perspective. Their future will depend on their ingenuity and their decisions.
All good, bp
Yes, the paradigm has changed....The one that was in place when I was a youngster no longer applies....The same as my daughters, 2o years behind me...
Their opportunities are now somewhat limited, even at 40 and 39! This was not the case when I was looking at people that age as a 20-year-old (although those 40-year old people looked OLD hehe)...
Now, looking back at 40 they look young, and the 20-year old young adults look positively like they should not be wherever they are unless it is at home with their parents!
Things change, not always for the better, but in reality, I think this is a good one...Higher education has, in many cases, become a 'money-making machine' for the rich at the expense of the young...
I just cannot justify someone paying 10, 20, or 30 years to get a degree that they cannot get a decent job with. It is malarkey...
Cheers!
Dave : )
College is NOT for everyone...HOWEVER, education IS!...but college is not the only vehicle for it!
I agree...These days there are many ways to get informed about things that will help you through life...Also, the amount of money you spend or the name of the institution is not as important as what do they teach and what do you learn, and most importantly, how do you apply that information! Cheers and thanks for your thoughts! Dave : )
Hi Dave, I totally agree my advice to people had changed over the years. I used to recommend people to go to Uni but life has changed. In most cases university will just give you massive depts and you end up finding another job and working your way up from the bottom. Which you could have done 5 years before and with out the dept that takes a decade to clear.
My advice to anyone is this, if you plan on being in the top 5% of your field then go for higher education. If not find a field you enjoy and just get stuck in and work your way up the ladder.
The difference will show 10 years later when you have your own house and a good savings as you havent had the dept to repay have let a much more fruitful life.
I would have loved to find WA 10 years ago when it first started and recommend it to anyone I meet in conversation. I know that this is te best to way live a better life. I have always said running your own online business is the only way to unlock your life and live it the way we should do, with our families and loved ones.
I class you all as my extended family as you are all there for me and each other. There is no other community like this anywhere in the world.
Thanks for all the daily motivation and support
#WAforthewin!
Graham
Thanks Graham for your input and viewpoint...I believe you are steering people the right way...It is pretty darn hard these days to make a go of it using the old paradigm of (1) Get an education, (2) Get a job, (3) Work your way up, (4) Forego having a life early on or in some cases for years, and (5) Retire and enjoy the fruits of your labor...
These days there is not enough pay to make all this happen as in the old days. If you are going to build a life that gives you more freedom, as in away from a time-clock, you have to look at alternatives...There are not many jobs that will promise you the world, but after you are 5 or 10 years in, you see the light...It ain't gonna happen...
Better to be told going in of the options, build a plan that makes sense, and one that will maximize the chance that you can escape the dead end road many are on. Retirements are not guaranteed anymore, health benefits can be taken away with one piece of stupid legislation, and what you worked years for can be gone in an instant.,..
Thanks for your feedback!
Dave : )
Hi Dave, yeah life has changed so much people really have to look at the world with new eyes and decide what really is the better route. I now I am on the right route and would have loved to have this available back then. Time to take back my life :)
Thanks again WA
I wish you all the luck in the world Graham as you follow the path you have chosen...It is there (success), it only needs to be brought to fruition...The good thing is that you are in charge and can take control and make that happen! Cheers! Dave : )
I am still editing this post, I keep finding things that could be stated better or spelling errors, etc. Sorry if it is causing any disruption on your side...
It is a positive thing, having WA at our backs...I can say that I am totally committed to this place and what they provide...It can make our journey a lot less tumultuous (sp?)...
: )
Hi Dave,
I have been thinking about higher education quite a bit recently too. I have an MA in English Renaissance Lit and highly value my university education.
However, far too many people are graduating with a massive debt load, and in many cases their college education does not serve their vocational needs.
Just yesterday, and this is why your post seems so timely to me, I was listening to Lewis Howes (School of Greatness on YouTube) talking to Adam Braun (Pencils of Promise) who has recently launched an interesting alternative to higher education for students who want vocational training that is relevant to TODAY.
Here's the thing: it's a one year course, and the students do not pay until they have secured a $50,000 p.a. job, and then they pay pack 15% of their salary over the first three years.
The website is missionu dot com and I think the program could offer a viable alternative to college for people who are looking for a career in a company, and want to enter the workforce without a mountain of debt and an irrelevant college certificate.
Whatever path people choose to take, I would certainly advise them to run a side hussle (using WA as their platform) at the same time.
All the best,
David Hurley
That is really good information and I hope that others will pick up on this! These days many of the degrees that the kids get will not get them the job at the salary they are expecting, and those loans are a killer...
Certainly, even the days when my kids were going to school are not the same as the situation today. They both were able to secure jobs at a decent wage, although I have to say, does not equal what they put into the job...
They also were not saddled with debt as many kids today are. That alone would give me pause if I was starting over again...
Your solution will help countless people get the education that will really allow them to get employment and repay a reasonable amount of money for the privilege...
I would be very interested to see how this program does...I know about it now thanks to you and will add it to my list of suggestions for people that ask me for advice...
Thanks much for sharing!
Cheers!
Dave : )
Dave, you sound like an intelligent guy so I'm always happy to read your blogs. I enjoyed reading this and it's uncanny how it kinda reflects my own past.
Similar in the sense that I also went to University and then went on to work in the Oil and Gas industry for all of my life until now. The recent downturn in the price of oil made me realize that I cannot rely on this any more.
I have sacrificed my first marriage after spending most of my time away from home so now that I'm on my second one I am determined not to fall into the same scenario of buggering off to another country when my contract ends.
Say hello to WA. I am determined to make this work so I can decide my OWN future and not rely on anyone else. We have been given a gift and we should make sure we don't take it for granted. I fully intend making this my full time occupation in another 6 to 12 months. I have been given another year in my present job so I have some breathing space.
Thanks for sharing Craig, and I wish you all the success in getting a viable program up and running using the guidance found here as well as your determination...
Life takes many turns, and sometimes it is difficult to see the forest for the trees, as we say in Minnesota, but you obviously have thought this through...
Trading time for money has its cost for sure...I spent a lot of time away from my family over the years just for that...I fully understand and agree with your decision to not let that happen again...
Knowing your time-frame, you can plan your program and build it within the parameters and have true freedom from that 9-5 grind (we know that is a fallacy, I am sure you spent more hours a day working than that doing those contractor jobs)...
To your success (Dave lifts his beer in a salute to Craig!)...
Cheers!
Dave : )
Thanks Dave, for sure I worked more than 9 to 5. It was the norm to work 50 hours / week sometimes more than that. In fact, it's only been the last few years that I haven't worked any overtime.
I look forward to the day when I can work overtime for ME.
Cheers!
Yes I thought so Craig it was the same for me when I was working as a contractor...
We did 7 dayys a week 12 hours a day for 3 months to get a week off, then after 3 more months 2 weeks off, then 3 more months to get 2 weeks off, before the final 3 months to get 4 weeks off...
Long hours and days...The pay was excellent, but it was a hard slog to get to that first 2 week break (the first 1 week break is not enough time to relax IMO)...
Overtime for me sounds good!
Cheers!
Dave : )
Yes I thought so Craig it was the same for me when I was working as a contractor...
We did 7 dayys a week 12 hours a day for 3 months to get a week off, then after 3 more months 2 weeks off, then 3 more months to get 2 weeks off, before the final 3 months to get 4 weeks off...
Long hours and days...The pay was excellent, but it was a hard slog to get to that first 2 week break (the first 1 week break is not enough time to relax IMO)...
Overtime for me sounds good!
Cheers!
Dave : )
Yes I thought so Craig it was the same for me when I was working as a contractor...
We did 7 dayys a week 12 hours a day for 3 months to get a week off, then after 3 more months 2 weeks off, then 3 more months to get 2 weeks off, before the final 3 months to get 4 weeks off...
Long hours and days...The pay was excellent, but it was a hard slog to get to that first 2 week break (the first 1 week break is not enough time to relax IMO)...
Overtime for me sounds good!
Cheers!
Dave : )
See more comments
Thank you Dave for your response. I think of that too, where I would be had I started this even 5 years ago. You know something funny, about 4 years ago I bought this book called
GET RICH CLICK by Marc Ostrofsky, and I had been hearing a lot about internet marketing and the more I read I became intrigued. I am not a reader at all, but I thought if this book can do for me what I am looking forward to in the future, then i'm all in.
I bought the book thinking I would read it on my vacation up the coast to CARMEL, is California, and I got to 6 pages, and occasionally I picked it up and then put it down. $ years ago mind you. I would be way ahead of the game right now, but there must have been reasons I wasn't supposed to at the time, and now is my time. I BELIEVE IN THINGS HAPPENING WHEN HE WANTS THEM TO. lol....
With my daily contacts, that is why I really don't want to let go of the full time business, because all the people I meet are potential customers or leads....
Anyhuuu,
Have a great evening, and hope to chat soon.
I too was looking at internet marketing years ago Sylvia, but pretty much laughed it off, thinking that it was a small fry thing...
During those times I had a friend that built my websites for my businesses, and he was the one that pushed...
At the time, my focus was offline and making the business grow, and the website seemed like a good way to get an intro out there...
This guy has gone on to do quite well, while here I am later getting started...
As you say, things happen when they are supposed to (I believe that as well)...Everything happens for a reason...
I do understand on keeping the face to face contacts...It would be easy to slip entirely into this online world and let all that fall away...
Also, a big mistake, because at the core of it all, it is through the back and forth of live conversations, meetings, relax time, and etc. we keep in touch with what it really means to be a part of the world and humanity....
Have a great evening!
Cheers!
Dave : )