• Hylactor@sopuli.xyz
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    9 hours ago

    I’ve gutted out 3 careers in “skilled labor” (a term I find problematic), each time working from the bottom entry level guy, to the guy in charge. In all three I’ve worked side by side with people who actually got degrees in that field.

    I have also regretted not getting a degree for my entire adult life.

    • Peppycito@sh.itjust.works
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      8 hours ago

      My buddy is an accomplished self taught violin maker. He won an award and was talking to another renowned violin maker who asked him where he was taught. He was slightly embarrassed to say he was self taught but she was quite impressed and said “Ahh! The slow way!”

      • maimas@sh.itjust.works
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        7 hours ago

        Holy shit, that’s probably the job I would expect for there to be the fewest self-taught people. It’s such an unbelievably precise job, your friend must be unbelievably skilled.

      • mineralfellow@lemmy.world
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        6 hours ago

        My dad got an art degree by taking one course per semester for years. He loved it. Got his degree last year. Retires this year.

        • Catoblepas@piefed.blahaj.zone
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          6 hours ago

          Community college is insanely affordable where I live, like $600/semester for a full class load before financial aid. Lots of textbook free classes too that use open source books. And colleges have financial aid offices with people whose only job is to figure out what aid you qualify for.

          There’s a lot of help to go back to college, you just need to ask for it.

    • esc@piefed.social
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      8 hours ago

      Experience matters a lot in practice, but having a degree gives you opportunity to learn fundamentals and to have a broader knowledge base in general. Met a few people without formal education with insane knowledge and skills but absolutely helpless outside of their area of expertise.