What to study in college & why? [Career Challenge]

My burden is simply to show that my opponent's choices are poor while putting forth my own recommendations. The theme of my responses will be "Practicality". While any job can be described and packaged nicely and seem interesting to a high school student looking at colleges, individuals who have already gone through that process and who have faced the dreary reality of the working world can attest differently. The median salary listed by my opponent are likely representative of people who have been in the job for many years, who have networked, fought for promotions, and who are highly experienced. Furthermore, the idealistic descriptions my opponent gives do not reflect the grim reality of the working world: You do what your job requires and what your supervisor requires. Not what you feel like doing. As if that weren't bad enough, most jobs are extremely competitive and will only accept the top percentage of applicants, of which there are many. This would require attending the best programs, getting additional licenses and degrees, and undergoing additional work training from a related but less desirable job. Coupled with the absurd cost of higher education, you will likely be in intense debt before even starting your profession. Another problem is that many professions pay in an unpredictable fashion. What you earn is based a lot on luck and circumstance. That being said, let us examine these careers through a fine lens. *** Let us begin by looking at Field 3, Field 4, and Field 7. Special Ed Teachers need to go through four years of college education, licensure, as well as internship or residency before they can attain that position. This job also requires intense interaction with a wide variety of special needs individuals ranging from Down's syndrome to the autism spectrum. It is an extremely stressful profession with no upward mobility and low salary. Massage Therapists earn far too little and have difficulty finding clients depending on location. It is easy to glamorize the field by imagining what you see on TV, but chances are that you will end up working in dingy, low-rent locations in less than reputable neighborhoods with similar clientele. Writers and Authors earn a wide range, the median is not a suitable measure. You have authors that strike it very lucky and write bestsellers while the vast majority are simply young individuals who never seem to catch a break. Your paycheck will be extremely hard to earn. You will not be the next JK Rowling, you will simply be poor. *** Next tier: Field 2 and Field 6 Financial Managers are not entry level in any way. You need at least 5 years of experience in a related field, which actually means at least 7 to 8 years working in securities, accounting, as an analyst, etc. Business is a rough, cutthroat field. You can lose a lot of money through schooling and employment is extremely difficult to find unless you are in an urban area, and even then, it just means more competitors. You will also need to endure a massive amount of work in another field to be respected enough to apply for this position. Police and Detectives, while they have good benefits, also have to endure dangerous work conditions for middling pay. They need to dedicate their lives to their work, lots of different shifts, and likely have difficult family lives. If nothing happens to them, tragically, that is. ** That leaves Field 1 and 5. Aerospace Engineers are not in demand. The field is not demonstrating proper growth and it is very hard to get into. Few corporations require them and the ones that are needed, are already working. If there are jobs open, they will only take the best. By the time you come out of school, you will find yourself locked out of a job. The same goes for Medical Scientists. The more years you need to spend in school, the greater debt you will be in. You will owe a fortune after you get the necessary credentials and even then, your salary demands on who wants you, and if the company is profitable. The chances of you breaking even in a short period of time are very slim. *** Now, let me offer my advice: First Five: Elevator Installers and Repairers Brickmasons, Blockmasons, and Stonemasons Sheet Metal Workers Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Electricians These individuals have a HUGE advantage over any of my opponent's choices. Why? They start over $100,000 richer because they don't have to go to college. On top of that, they can get 4 years of working experience and on-job training/apprenticeship instead of college education. By the time any of the individuals studying things my opponent lists graduates college with six figures of debt, these individuals will be masters of their own craft, making $50k a year or more. Also note that the demand for these jobs is growing far faster than average, compared to my opponent's job choices, which are growing very slowly in this bad economy. The chance that you will be able to feed yourself and your family greatly increases with my options. Now, I have some further suggestions. Pharmacist Registered Nurse Software Developer Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners Growth rate is spectacular, median pay is one and a half to twice what my opponent lists, job hiring is based more on personal skill than the reputation of the college so it is easy to get job placement with affordable higher education, and these four professions consistently rank among the top professions in any list. Since I have reached my limit of 9 this round, I will need to stop. However, I hope my opponent takes these into consideration. Sources: . http://www.bls.gov... . http://www.bls.gov... . http://www.bls.gov... . http://www.bls.gov... . http://www.bls.gov... . http://www.bls.gov... . http://www.bls.gov... . http://www.bls.gov... . http://www.bls.gov... . http://money.usnews.com... . http://online.wsj.com...