I'm sure everybody who clicked on this is expecting the usual Case BS I'm known for. Sad as it is to say most of my close personal friends are uneducated wrench turning grunts just like me. So here's the dilemma, as I go along with this 1/3 life crisis which brought me here,(ok that's just an excuse I love sexy ladies!) I get the feeling I could do a little better for myself. Obviously I do ok as I can partake in this hobby we all enjoy so much, but feel like I short changed myself by not going to college. Ended up with a trade school diploma after HS and it has worked well for me. After that went on and tested to become a licensed mechanical contractor, very hard exam about 20% pass rate and I breezed through it the first try without taking prep classes. Anyways I work at a University by day and run a small HVAC business after hours with some success, do well enough the SO doesn't have to work. Plus I can skim cash to stimulate our little community here undetected :0). Anyways got to checking the benefits at work and I can get an undergrad degree for pretty much free, it will take a while as they only let you do 2 classes per semester but heck ya can't beat the price. It's a primarily liberal arts school so that rules out the obvious choice of engineering which would have been great for the career path I've spent the last 17 years on. So I'm leaning toward history, or Business Management, or does anybody have any other suggestions. Figured this is easily the largest base of college grads I come into contact with and could use some constructive criticism. Would love to go on to the law school but don't think that would be an option due to time demands, family and they don't offer free grad school benefits. So what do y'all think the best undergrad degree to pursue would be? Thanks in advance for the replies and I promise next post will be the usual humorous crap y'all are used to seeing from me

Consider physics. It's the closest thing to engineering in most liberal arts colleges. But pick something you enjoy. Having the degree is the thing. The field isn't so important. Also, you don't have to pick a major for a couple of years. Try different departments. Find out what you like best.

Case, email me at [email protected] and let's set up a call. I have owned a Career and Business Development Company for 24 years now. I don't know that I can help you until we talk but I can definitely offer you some sound advice and give you plenty to think about.

History and business degrees are not worth a whole lot, IMO if you are getting just the undergraduate degree. If I were you I would look to pursue the engineering degree anyway. I know it may not be free, but you can get one at state universities for about $6,500 a year. That investment is worth more than getting the others free, IMO.

Find out what classes your current university offers that will transfer to an engineering program, get those classes free, then pay the rest out of pocket.

If you don’t take advantage of Free College Education, you are actually leaving money on the table and being super dumb.  

Since you run a small business on the side, I would say busies degree will be useful. It does teach you about business, taxes, accounting and finance, etc. All helpful.

I did two Graduate Degrees paid for my employer. I tell everyone that works for me, to take advantage of the free money go get some damn degree.

ake the basic courses first, until you find something that you really enjoy.  I started as a business major, and then switched to Biology.

As for law school, I thought that NC Central in Durham had a night-school law degree...

Law school would be cool as anyone who knows me knows I'm a talker. Just figure the time it would take would put too much strain on my family. Good advice on taking the basics first and then figure out where to go from there.

Will do thanks!!

I'm leaning torward the buisness degree def be more useful and would look good torwar advancing into management at current employer or somewhere else. Defiantly would be dumb not to take advantage it's a good school with a good academic reputation. Not giving too much info but its an ACC school so def a step up from my community college diploma. The history would be fun but probally not really practical.

Right now Case, this ole world is a changing. I really hope you listen, could make a big difference for you. PLEASE check out the videos I am sharing and then proceed.

A Bushman in Africa with a Android phone has access to more info today than President Clinton did when he was President.

We have had more Billionaires created recently in their 30's and under than at any other time in history.  

We now have space flight open the public where that used to be available for only two countries..

In 1996 Kodak invented digital camera technology but thought is was silly. They were a billion dollar company with hundreds of thousands of employees, 10 years later bankrupt.

Instagram   13 employees a few years old Zuckerburg at Facebook bought for 1 billion.

Listen to old farts who will tell you what would have worked BEFORE the technological revolution we are starting to go through right now and you could end up with a GREAT job at Kodak.

For the love of God Jim(you know Scottie Star Trek reference) LISTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The world is changing.

Now PROOF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YouTube, you know how much I love that right?  

Go there listen to Peter Diamandis. He does X Challenges. He founded Singularity University. He is the guy who got the spaceship in orbit twice in two weeks. 10 million bucks for the winner and the groups trying to get it spent 100 million!

Slingshot, Dean Kamen who made that thing people lean forward and ride in, created a water purifier that makes pure drinking water out of terrible water. 97% of the worlds water we can't drink. Now water drinking water solved.

years ago I think it was Napolean had the King of Siam and some other dignitaries over for dinner. They other dudes got gold utensils but the King, Aluminum!!!!!!  WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At that time Aluminum was more rare cause no one figured out yet how to separate it from boxite, so it was rarer than gold. Then someone figured out electrolosis and MAN was Aluminum cheap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT is the kind of changes that are coming.

Watch a video on communicating with other people by Simon Sinek....Start with Why is his book! Learn to inspire people one mind at a time and you can have a job ANYWHERE! His video 34 minutes on YouTube is one about people and business.

Watch Bob Chapman's youtube  TedTalk. It is about his company called Barry Wehmiller.  The teach something called People Centric Leadership. Their goa is to have their people leave work fulfilled and inspired! They made a 15% profit each year in the last few years while the average S&P company cut employees and benefits to scratch out an average of 3%!

They teach their stuff at Barry Wehmiller University. Google their website THEY ARE THE COOLEST!!!!!!!!! Simon Sineks favorite company!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last Frank Kern. The DUDE!!!!!!!!!! he and his buddies sold at the time the record of 24 million dollars worth of their stuff in one day on the internet! Youtube Video   slide guitar interview

Here is what I got, here is what it will do for you, here is what I need you to do next! I used his strategy to grow the branch I manage 8400%!!!!!!! Wake up!!!!!!!!!!!!

I say you do not need a degree! Frank Kern flunked out of UGA!!!!!!!!!!!! I say you watch this stuff and start getting skippy with growing that side business you got with the info I am laying on ya!!!!!!!!!!

Dealio is if you do not take an hour or two to watch these videos you will NEVER KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come on Case don't bail on me now! You watched more of my giggly videos on here than anyone else. Don't stop now when I got the important sh.. for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FREE TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You watch this stuff and tell me it does not cause you to stop and pause! Don't listen to dinasors whose info is obsolete they don't realize it yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or do YOUR CHOICE!!!!!!!!

last thing...............Frank Kerns Core Influence video! two hours but if you take it to heart will change your life, promise.

ok Simon Sinek     people and business

Bob Chapman   Ted talk

Peter Diamandis    YouTube   Abundance    great book too!

Frank Kern    slide guitar interview  Core Influence video

Then get back to me!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shifterp OUT!

 
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If not pay attention to obsolete old stuff that will shortly be seen as worthless

the Paradigms are Shifting like they never have in this world before.

All the rules are changing.

I Concur!

Shifterp OUT!

is not just a slogan---just keep it up, starting tomorrow) I received my master's degree free thanks to the college I was at, just like you---take advantage of that perk. You don't have to bite off the whole thing at once, do the stepping stone system---enjoy life/NC ladies along the way)
You mentioned Law---step to Para-Legal, then Law Degree? You may want to look at Excelsior College---Independent study mostly ---might be of interest as you move along your path.
As they say, do something you enjoy and you will never work a day in your life.
Be a sponge at this time)

The single most important thing Case I learned in AA many many  many years ago. 29 years sober and clean so you can decide if I have street cred or not, I already know.

Will pass on to you and if it helps you pass it on to someone else sometime. Or not.

This GREAT gal Liz used to see me at meetings over and over. She always said the same thing to me.

Shifterp, do not worry about what other people think about you, cause they rarely do........

Truer words might not have ever been uttered. One day, not sure when but I finally got it.

Point is Case, what others might think if you have a degree or not, AIN"T IMPORTANT!

If they think about that AT ALL it is a fleeting thought.

What YOU think about it is what MATTERS! Heck if it is a degree you want buy one online, cheaper and less time consuming. Or change what you tell yourself about what having one means to you.

Dude trying to puff his ego up with a fancy smansy car, you know impress the ladies and what not!

He is really impressed with his bad self for a FEW SECONDS and a week later he feels like the same schmuck only now he has a massive car payment. Dumbass, can't build self esteem puffing up ones ego! Ain't happening.  

True happiness lies not in the things one has but in the things one can do without.

If you really must have this degree ok.............here is how to choose..........WHAT WOULD YOU DO TOMORROW IF YOU COULD DO ANYTHING?

Sing, dance, surf, bang, read, play golf? Whatever? Ok that answer is your passion. Choose to study something getting you closer to enjoying your passion. If you need a degree to get there get one. If not, do not waste your time.

I mean I am just saying after getting a degree what if you still feel like the same dude with a piece of paper with degree on it? What then another piece of paper with degree on it?  Isn't changing how you feel about this what you are really after?

I Shift Paradigms and this is the most exciting time to be alive and doing that in the history of the world. Hope you find your passion and a degree if you feel you need it to living what drives you.

I Concur!

Shifterp OUT!    Strangest Secret in the World  Earl Nightingale  its a recorded chat  "We become what we think about all day long".       So spend time figuring out what you say to you about you. If it is great repeat it all day long. If it sucks, change it to SOMETHING MIRACULOUS and see what happens!

Something like, I am the great Case and I have everything I need to be the most awesomest Dude in the history of the world RIGHT NOW JUST LIKE I AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just say that 50,000 times to yourself tomorrow and see if you still feel you need a degree.

Print it out and carry it around with you to remind you cause with you already got programmed in there won't go without a mighty tussle.

I do not drink but if you must........

Doo-sock-eez my friend!

As with communicating with others........understand we all process info the same way....biological....through the limbic portion of the brain. Google that and you will see how to more effectively communicate with others like hot knife through butter. Really simple stuff once you understand the biology of how the human brain communicates.

I would argue against a law degree. Granted, there are all sorts of things you can do with it, but there truly is a glut of lawyers.  There are a lot of unemployed lawyers out there.  
If its a liberal arts school, then take all the basics and try new stuff.  You may discover you have a knack for writing.
Liberal arts schools don't really train you for a job, like an engineering degree or even a business degree would.  As we used to say: they teach you how to think, how to be a thoughtful person.  You'll come out with a breadth of knowledge.
Having said that, depending on your stage in life, you may want to focus on business or engineering.  The closest things to those in a liberal arts would be economics or physics, both of which I loved in school.

Good advice as usual, I guess it's more of a me thing than anything. Also to set an example for my daughter. I honestly do well enough with out the degree, just always felt I short changed myself, guess what I'm saying is I'm smarter than where I'm at. Maybe that makes sense I've always been a go-getter if someone says you can't do that I take it as a challenge, been good in my biz, customer says 3 other contractors say there's no way to do something then I really get off on proving everybody wrong. You're right don't need a degree to do what I do, and after some self examination I'm probally doing what I love most. It's pretty gratifying when you're done you can sit back and look and say "hell yeah I did that" or the gratifying feeling ya get fixing some elderly ladies heat at 10 on a Saturday night.
And I probally have too good a conscience to be a lawyer, which may explain why I'm not a wealthy guy in the HVAC buisness, I've salvaged a lot of units that others say couldn't be fixed just because I could do it and I try not to cheat people. The buisness degree probally would help with the buisness though, but the history angle would be just fun as I love that sort of thing. Someone said physics and that would be cool because obviously I live knowing how stuff ticks.  
Thanks for all the advice guess I'll have to do some more pondering.

You may or may not complete the program, but at the end of the day.. You are living as a great example to your kids, family and friends, You are stimulating your brain with something other then porn and TER.. It is obviously something you are interested in and you would probably enjoy it. So....... why wouldn't you do it!!!!

END OF MESSAGE

As much as I LOVE history and poly sci, my double majors, ALOT has changed since I graduated so a liberal artsy fartsy degree won't do much except stroke your ego these days. A business degree, (which would be an ego stroke) along with your trade school degree and your life experience as a super duper mechanic could open more doors, including expanding your HVAC business to full time if you ever get tired of working for someone else (this usually hits people in their 40's big time).

Take those 2 classes a semester, or even start out with one class to see how it goes.

30-something is definitely not late in life to take it to the next level.

GO FOR IT!!!

xoxo,

Steph

take away from you.  I would endorse those who recommended to wait a while before selecting a major, and take as many different subjects as you can; maybe you'll find what you'd love to study.  I got an advanced degree at night while working a demanding job and it will greatly help your motivation and perseverance if you're studying something you are truly enjoy & are interested in.  Good Luck!

...is full of educated, yet underperforming people.

NOW CASE YOU ARE ON TO SOMETHINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!

GREAT for you friend!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE watch Frank Kern Core Influence. Promise you will like it.

Ok a secret, I do not share this with everybody, ok. Take this to heart and it will do you well in EVERYTHING you do. EVERYTHING.

Serve other people like you want them to serve you. Just keep it that simple.

Second, ALWAYS give them more benefit than the value of the money you ask for to do it.

I NEVER SELL Case, but a lot of folks get stuff from me, lots. I SHARE information with them so they can make an educated decision. After I share if THEY feel what I shared with them can benefit them then ok. Share information and let them decide. If not, NEXT!

I help people protect their homes from a 5 billion dollar a year problem. They will get peace of mind knowing their nest is protected, their home, their biggest investment. They will need to give me 1.09 a day for the first year. The cost of a container of tic tacs for that peace of mind knowing their home is protected. Explained that to people and had an 8400% growth rate. SHARING INFORMATION and letting THEM see it was in their best interest, not mine. Other folks are interested I THEM so I communicate to them the way they are gonna listen most. Simple. They are about them.

Yeah I know that feeling of helping other people. It is honest, decent good work something to feel great about.  

You can be a very very wealthy man in the HVAC business. Share goodness and it is contagious. You leave people with just this "good feeling" IT AIN"T ABOUT HVAC, it is about serving God's other kids. I grow to serve you. You do that and ask if they know anyone else you can help. Plus it does not matter what you do, just do right! Right is putting their needs above or in front of your own.

Now IF you watch that Simon Sinek video you are gonna see what I am talking about. When you Start With Why, you will connect with other people who get where you are coming from. You are not sure why you just like them immediately. They like you. When u run across people you just do not get or do not get you move on. People not congruent with themselves inside and out are easy to spot. They are all messed up. Stay away from them, you will never click, be grateful and move on to someone who wants the goodness you have to share with them. There is enough of them out there and not many terds.

So look for people skills from Simon Sinek. Looking at what your perfect day is doing what you love most from Frank Kern. How to begin to train and develop and inspire your people once your business starts growing from Bob Chapman. The big picture from Peter Diamandis.

DON"T PONDER WITHOUT WATCHING THESE VIDEOS. Do this Case. Watch Simon Sineks 34 minute video, if you think I am whacked out and he is too after watching that then don't listen to anything I ever share with you again. It's FREE DUDE!!!!!!!!! I got no problem with that cause I know how great what he has to share with you is gonna be for you. You start communicating with people from your WHY to theirs and just SEE how the world changes. Just enables you to cut through so much bs. Like Frank says, quit messing around.

Frank's sales skills too. SIMPLE, people have the attention span of a flea. All you want to do with advertising is create a LITTLE CURIOSITY. Other folks with too much copy just bore people.

Here is what I got, here is what it will do for you, here is what I need you to do next. Nothing  more.
Some of these gals would help themselves just sharing that in their ads.  

"I got the greatest sexual experience you will ever feel.

It will make you feel connected and like you only dreamed you could.

I need you to contact me immediately to schedule your greatest experience ASAP!"

Think that would get some response?

Be HAPPY you are doing what you love, do it more but with knowing you are a BAD ASS at it!!!!! Get the serving others programmed in and keep that feeling of what that old lady looks like when that cool breeze starts blowing through her house after YOU HELPED HER!!!!!!!!!!

you have any idea how many people are doing everyday stuff they HATE? You get to spend some time doing what you LOVE! You are the DUDE not some a-hole doing what he does for more money but hates every second of it. You are the lucky one.

Now get that flowing through you and if you still feel you need a degree get one, nothing wrong with it. It is just trying to get one thinking that is going to give you that feeling is a dead bang losing proposition.

Just hope you do watch Simon Sinek, Bob Chapman, Frank Kern, Peter Diamandis and get back to me after you do.

Lastly never forget the most important thing you do everyday is love and be an example for your daughter. Never forget during the day the love you see coming back at you when you look in her eyes. Serve other people as you would have them serve you and I guarantee you will never disappoint her.

Now quit reading this and go watch Simon's video on people and business and let me know how you feel about it! Deal?

I Concur, why would I not??????  LOL

Shifterp OUT

Absolutely correct!!!!!  I live in the Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill / RTP area, and having worked in one of the "high tech" areas for more than 40 years, I long ago came to the same conclusion as kayakid.  Which is that education and intelligence are not the same things.  One can be highly educated and dumber than dirt.  In contrast, one can have a relatively small amount of formal education and be impressively intelligent.  Unfortunately, and more so today than ever before, having a college education doesn't necessarily translate into being able to get "better" jobs.  What this country needs more of are skilled crafts people.  There would be no great loss in America's ability to compete in the global economy if a significant proportion of the 4 year colleges and universities closed their doors tomorrow.  We turn out people with diplomas and massive debt from 4-year schools. The ROI on their time and the cost of their 4 year degree is frightenly low.  What would benefit society more would be to invest significantly in the community college systems. The cost of an education there is incredibly reasonable. And for the most part, people who go there learn meaningful skills & have a far better chance of getting a paying job than their counterparts who go to a 4 year institution and come out with no discernable way to distinguish themselves from tens of thousands of others just like them; few of them learned anything that'll get them a job in their field.  Business degrees are a dime a dozen, unfortunately.  I'm surrounded at work by really nice people with business degrees who are doing the same thing as people sitting next to them with degrees in some of the social sciences.  I wish it wasn't that way, but it is what I've observed.

My son spent a little more than 2 years at a community college studying auto mechanics. He's only been out about 5 years, so circumstances today are fairly similar. His most expensive semester was about $900.  Compare that to tuition at any 4 year school.  He had numerous job offers - good job offers! - when he got out.  It doesn't have to be auto mechanics.  There are LOTS of "skill" jobs. You don't have to go to medical school to have a great and rewarding job in medicine, and you can learn much of what you need at a community college. I know our factories are fewer and farther between than they used to be, but there are lots of needs for skilled craftsmen and women.  HVAC is an excellent field, and as you said, you can make a pretty decent living.  All those are possible with a relatively modest financial investment.  But imagine coming out of college with $100,000 of debt - or more - and making about the same salary - if you are lucky as your counterparts who went to the 2 year school. For the majority of people there's simply no comparison.  You are much better off without the investment in 4 years of college.  

If you have a good job now and are happy - then go back to school to fill gaps in the areas you're curious about. Business, history, sociology, engineering. Whatever.  Learn because it's fun and because it makes you a more complete person. Audit classes if you can, and avoid the stress of passing tests for the sake of passing tests.  Become a more well rounded and interesting person through education and you'll have more fun with everyone you meet in life (and in the hobby!) - but my recommendation is to not equate a "higher education" with being more intelligent, or more interesting, or better equipped to make the big bucks.  4 year college degrees are the new high school diploma from 4 years ago.  A skilled craftsman or woman is, for my way of looking, the most interesting person AND the one best able to quickly move into the workplace.

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END OF MESSAGE

So true!!!

Well yes that is a way to see it.

I am sure with your degrees u understood, comprehended and appreciated every word, right?

SP out!

Yeah I think you're spot on with that. I'm leaning more now to expanding my mechanical license scope. There are 3 levels of mechanical license and I've got the middle one so probally gonna put my efforts into obtaining the top one. Look at is basically a masters in HVAC. Then may move on to obtaining a refrigeration contractors license. One thing that makes me unique as far as the trade and my buisness is not only am I good with HVAC ( well great actually but I'm a modest guy) but I'm pretty proficient with commercial restaurant equipment everything from the walk-in freezer to the industrial size dish machines so plenty of room and services I could offer to really grow a decent little buisness.