Entry Rate: $19.36/hour
Full Rate: $21.52/hour
Machine Operator: $23.25 - $24.81/hourWelder Helper: $21.93/hour
Bridge Tender: $21.93/hour
Bridge Mechanic: $22.65/hour
Foreman: $22.71 - $25.53/hour
Track Inspector: $23.98 - $25.14/hour
Qualifications: High School diploma/GED; 18 years of age or older; Valid Driver's LicenseSeriously? These figures are higher than what many of my former MSW classmates make! And this is working in California!
Things like these are really starting to convince me that college is a ripoff, especially if you are a humanities/social science major. I mean, why bother wasting 4-8 years of your life and tens of thousands of dollars on a college degree when you could skip all of that and end up with the same salary? I suppose many social workers argue the importance of "quality of life", but honestly, where is quality of life when you're buried in debt, paid poorly, and work in one of the most stressful fields out there?
If I ever decide to leave social work, I guess I can always apply for a job with Amtrak...
Another view though....DH dropped out of college, and while he is successfully self-employed, manual labor is extremely hard. For him and on me because I have to listen to his complaints all of the time. There will come a day when his body can't do it anymore. It's also his biggest regret because not having a degree limits him with what else he can do. He can probably run circles around people in business with Master's degrees, but in today's economy, employers aren't gonna see that ;). While I may be paying off my debt forever, my loans are affordable and no one can ever take that degree away from me.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree. I am just starting college for the social work field, and while I know it won't be easy, and at times it will rough and down rite suck, I can't help but think of all the people I'm gonna get the chance to help. And that, for me at least, makes it so worth it.
ReplyDeleteThat's why you go to community college for as much credit hours as possible! The student loan debt bubble is pretty menacing.
ReplyDelete