tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149523431587168680.post8250187422974124477..comments2024-01-16T00:12:23.220-05:00Comments on Oddball Stocks: My advice for studentsNate Tobikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05660387777171986124noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149523431587168680.post-29591365009934006072017-10-11T18:19:10.876-04:002017-10-11T18:19:10.876-04:00That was great. Exactly what i needed to be told a...That was great. Exactly what i needed to be told at this point of my life (32yo misfit). Thank you.Average Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17442641638874018016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149523431587168680.post-18864631888289292952016-08-24T17:49:52.873-04:002016-08-24T17:49:52.873-04:00Agree, there's way too little focus on actual ...Agree, there's way too little focus on actual knowledge and skills compared to the name of the seat of learning. Top universities are great for the networking opportunities they provide, but anyone who honestly thinks they've learned more becuase their university is more prestigious is fooling themselves. Looking at the money being poured into edtech, my guess is that we'll se a lot of changes in the coming decade or so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149523431587168680.post-27563557081965241552016-08-22T13:13:17.401-04:002016-08-22T13:13:17.401-04:00Taylor,
Great comment. I think a few of the bull...Taylor,<br /><br />Great comment. I think a few of the bullets could encapsulate your comment on ego. If you are trampling people, ignoring kids and always striving for more there are serious ego issues.<br /><br />In terms of college. This is something I've thought about some. Granted I have no idea what college will be like in 12-17 years, but if the current course continues my thoughts apply. <br /><br />I am ambivalent on whether my kids go to school. If they want to pursue a profession where college is necessary such as medical school, law school or something else like that then I think they won't have a choice. But I don't view it as a requirement, and if there isn't a defined path that generates a positive ROI on the college cost I'd say it's a waste.<br /><br />Whereas in the past people could go to college and gain the "college experience" of living in a dorm and attending a state school cheaply that door has firmly closed. I think now students need to view college as a means to an end, if the end isn't defined then the means shouldn't happen just to happen.<br /><br />My oldest continues to maintain he wants to be a pilot. He'll have to take some training, but as far as I know a college degree isn't required. He's said he'd like to be a fighter jet pilot, and I guess if you want to be a pilot that's a cool goal. So in that sense maybe the Government would pay for whatever schooling he'd need.<br /><br />I have two other thoughts on college. The first is if any kid wants to attend a traditional school one of my requirements is that they at least minor in business. This is because regardless of what one does you need to sell your time or wares to pay rent. I've met a local artist here who has a studio and he has stories of how learning to sell and run a business have been hard, but important and vital lessons. The painting is easy. He said he sold his first work for $300 and was thrilled to sell anything. A friend pulled him aside and said he should be tacking one or two 0's onto the price, which is what he's doing now. An art major is ok with a business minor. The theory being the business minor will give the kid the skills on how to practically apply the major.<br /><br />The second thought is if the education is what's important, and not living in a dorm partying, then I'd prefer if the kids did two years at a community college then transferred to a University. This is under the presumption that my kids, like most kids will fall somewhere in the middle of the bell curve. If we did happen to give birth to a very special little flower then maybe a high end school is appropriate. Although I know a Harvard MBA working at a pizza shop here, and a guy who never went to college who's extremely wealthy and has built an empire for themselves via hard work and grit.<br /><br />In the end the choice will be with the kid themselves. Although I would much prefer to spend their college savings helping them start a business verses spending those four years in a class room, but that's my preference. To me that'd be an adventure, helping a kid get started with their own business using saved funds. Maybe one day..<br /><br />NateNate Tobikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05660387777171986124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149523431587168680.post-58644194262716329002016-08-22T12:55:58.514-04:002016-08-22T12:55:58.514-04:00Nate,
Thanks for sharing your heartfelt reflectio...Nate,<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your heartfelt reflections. This was a personable message that goes beyond the usual investing fare but is no less meaningful for that. I think it's funny you think your boys will never read this. Unless you shut down your blog on purpose at some point, I am positive your sons WILL read your blog and probably even this post-- if they can search your name on Google, they can also figure out how to search for references to themselves, "I wonder what Dad said about us?" And I hope they do. Instead of typing out things their dad told them, like you did with your dad, they might be able to hyperlink to your verbatim post on their own future blog!<br /><br />I liked this comment: "I've witnessed something that remains somewhat of a mystery to me, but don't let it happen to you. It's people who ignore their kids in their pursuit of their careers."<br /><br />This puzzles me as well. I had two comments. The first is that, I have been reading a lot of political biographies later (especially about early American politicians) and it seems consistent that those who achieve "greatness" in politics do so at the expense of their family life. What is the value of leaving a great legacy for your "people", when you end up a stranger to your own family and children? The second thing I thought of is how such decision-making seems to be a flashing sign of egotism. You must think your own contribution to the world and affairs is SO vital that it comes before the needs of the people you brought into the world in a state of dependence, your kids. But why have the kids?<br /><br />Life forces us to make choices. And if you set yourself up to sacrifice your children in pursuit of your goals, I'd say you've chosen poorly and have not thought ahead.<br /><br />One of the rather obvious tones of this post is that American conceptions of the value of schooling are confused and perhaps overrated. You went to college, even though you felt you didn't get much from the experience. How do you feel about your kids not going to school? Do you have this feeling that college isn't that important, but you'd feel bad if they decided not to go (or if you somehow couldn't afford to send them)? Or do you have confidence that if they decided not to go, they really wouldn't miss anything?<br /><br />Personally, I'd actually feel much more successful as a parent if my children determined they DIDN'T need or want to go to college. In this day and age, such a determination I think would indicate a high level of independent thinking and personal maturity that would imply they have a good chance of being successful on their own terms, as well as society's, without the time and expense of attending formal school. But I am curious how you and your wife are thinking about that.Taylor Conanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18270678440957992085noreply@blogger.com