Your boy is going to University.

[Ivan The Awesome]

I just got notification that I have been accepted to my local University. 

I'm savoring this at the moment.. 

Honestly I'm in shock. 

 

It's slowly sinking in that I'm actually going to do it. 

 

For those of you who are not familiar with me. I'm from Mexico. I lived in the states several years legally and illegaly. I came back home in 2011 for several reasons. The number one reason tho was my family. My mom needed me and I didn't think twice about it. I left the states. Probably never to return.

It was a culture shock. Not gonna lie. I lived in the states since I was 9 years of age. In my mind and heart I was American. I paid taxes (even though I never saw a dime returned.), Followed the laws, made a lot close friends and just tried to be a good person in general. 

When I came home... It was a rough transition. A lot of life changing events happened. I'll omit that for now. Just know the struggle has been constant. 

 

The simple fact of finding work was a nightmare. Every place I went to denied me the opportunity to work with them simply because I lived in the USA for so long. 

The mentality they had was basically, "You lived over there so long, you're going to go back and leave us."

 

It is was frustrating for sure. I finally found a decent job and stayed for. 5 years. They closed down and I was left to find jobs for several years. 

 

Around September of last year my Uncle was very ill. We had a deep conversation before he passed away. That's the moment I decided to try and go to university. 

I applied, tested, and today I got an email saying I was top of the list. Out of 700 possible score I got 645. The next person had 594. 

I'm going to University fellas.. I'm gonna keep my promise to my uncle to finish my education.

 

For the first time in my life I feel in charge. Like I control my own Destiny. Feels good man.

[PanthersBigD]

Congratulations! Always rewarding to see your hard work pay off. On to the next adventure!

[LinvilleGorge]

Congratulations. Now make sure you major in something that is actually going to actually add to your resume and your value in the job marketplace. The last thing you want to do is saddle yourself with debt for a degree that really doesn't add much value other than checking a box for HR. Yep, he has a degree. Check.

[Shocker]

Starting is awesome, congratulations.  Now finishing is harder...stick with it man

[cookinwithgas]

It’s not going to be easy but it seems you are tempered for that. Congratulations and best of luck, climb over the Wall sometime and catch a Panthers game with me

[Bronn]

Good luck, bud. Hoping it all goes well for you.

[Khyber53]

Good luck and congratulations! I hope you find everything you are looking for and more at University! 

[Lumps]

On ‎6‎/‎11‎/‎2019 at 5:35 PM, LinvilleGorge said:

Congratulations. Now make sure you major in something that is actually going to actually add to your resume and your value in the job marketplace. The last thing you want to do is saddle yourself with debt for a degree that really doesn't add much value other than checking a box for HR. Yep, he has a degree. Check.

I used to think this as well. If I had to go back, I would go do a trade school. Something simple that didn't cost much or take a lot of time. Something like an X-ray tech or other medical equipment techs. Of course this was before the market was flooded with them, but they're still in demand.

However, you need a bachelors to pursue that two year school. You need a bachelors to pursue a masters. And a lot of jobs...just want that 'check' before they even speak with you. None of these options care what your degree is in, just that you have one. And now I realize that a degree gets you an interview and the rest is up to you. It's sad but true. Nowadays people really are just checking that box. I have many friends who have jobs they got because they got a call for an interview because they met the requirements for a bachelors or masters but wasn't a field even remotely similar to what was required.

In my job now it was required. Not so much as a check but 5 or 6 different fields of study are acceptable. The degree is irrelevant. My HR department says it's really just to say you're critical thinking skills and time management as well as other skills in life have been tested by a degree and those traits are needed. And I tend to agree.

Of course there is nothing like a degree like architecture, computer science, medical school, business etc. if you actually know have to pursue it intelligently and know what to do with it after school.

As a hard working individual who has learned to interview well I'd take meaningless degree just to check that box and the debt it comes with than not being able to check that box and be debt free. Just my opinion. If this was the 70/80s/early 90s I would not because I could actually get ahead by legit hard work ethic.

 

[NanuqoftheNorth]

On 6/11/2019 at 2:35 PM, LinvilleGorge said:

Congratulations. Now make sure you major in something that is actually going to actually add to your resume and your value in the job marketplace. The last thing you want to do is saddle yourself with debt for a degree that really doesn't add much value other than checking a box for HR. Yep, he has a degree. Check.

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/080616/6-countries-virtually-free-college-tuition.asp

Europe remains a well-known, highly sought-after destination for students seeking refuge from high-priced U.S. colleges and universities, but public universities in countries such as Mexico and Brazil also have virtually free tuition; students pay registration fees, which amount to very little when considering the exchange rates. Some universities offer top-quality programs of study in English.

[Ivan The Awesome]

2 hours ago, NanuqoftheNorth said:

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/080616/6-countries-virtually-free-college-tuition.asp

Europe remains a well-known, highly sought-after destination for students seeking refuge from high-priced U.S. colleges and universities, but public universities in countries such as Mexico and Brazil also have virtually free tuition; students pay registration fees, which amount to very little when considering the exchange rates. Some universities offer top-quality programs of study in English.

This must be for foreign students because I have not seen this program at my University. 

[NanuqoftheNorth]

18 minutes ago, Ivan The Awesome said:

This must be for foreign students because I have not seen this program at my University. 

Are you attending a private or public university?

[Ivan The Awesome]

56 minutes ago, NanuqoftheNorth said:

Are you attending a private or public university?

Public. 

[NanuqoftheNorth]

42 minutes ago, Ivan The Awesome said:

Public. 

Hmm, well how much are you being asked to pay?

Seems pretty inexpensive to attend public university in Mexico compared to the USA.

Quote

Tuition fees for the undergraduate studies in Mexico depend upon the type of institution and course. Public universities in Mexico can charge anywhere between $378 and $818 per academic year. Private institution charge much higher tuition fees for bachelor’s degree studies, their tuition fees usually fall in the range of $1,636 and $16,353 per academic year.  https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/984/Mexico-HIGHER-EDUCATION.html

 

Quote

Tuition at public universities and technological universities and institutes is free to Mexican citizens; however, there may be fees which can be as high as $US 150 per semester. Tuition at private universities varies widely and can be very expensive, with some charging $US 20,000 or more per year.  https://www.masterstudies.com/Mexico/

 

[Ivan The Awesome]

5 minutes ago, NanuqoftheNorth said:

Hmm, well how much are you being asked to pay?

Seems pretty inexpensive to attend public university in Mexico compared to the USA.

 

 

For a semester $500+. 1k+ a year. 

For me, that's a lot. Especially since I make pesos. Minimum wage is 176. Turn that to Dollars, it's peanuts. I live in the North. Usually it's better paid up here. 

 

Fortunately I got this year. Not sure how I'm gonna pay the rest but I'll find a way.