Hard times are driving people back to school

[Barack_America]

Hard times are driving people back to school

Enrollment rises as many retrain, prepare for future

BY ROBIN ERB
FREE PRESS EDUCATION WRITER

The way Matt Spurrier sees it, a troubled economy is the perfect time to head back to class.

The Pontiac man, who recently finished up five years in the Marines, is one of the many students who are driving up enrollment at metro Detroit community colleges and universities, despite concerns that shrinking paychecks would force students to head back home.

Instead, nearly every state university and several metro Detroit community colleges have seen an increased head count -- preliminary totals that might slip slightly as the semester wears on, but are promising nonetheless.

At Oakland Community College, where enrollment has climbed 12.7% from last fall, Spurrier, 24, is taking classes that he plans to transfer to Oakland University for a 4-year degree in exercise science.

"I figure I can go spend the time looking for a job that I probably wouldn't get right now in this economy," he said, "or I can go to school, build up the resume, and -- when things turn around again -- I can step back into the job market and be more prepared."...

More:
http://www.freep.com/article/20091005/NEWS05/910050319/1318/Hard-times-fuel-student-enrollment

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. Makes sense.

[Rex]

2. Bad idea.

You will waste money and accrue debt. Just make sure you major in something that can almost guarantee a job once you are done IMO. A history/english degree will get you nothing, make sure it is something like business or criminal justice.

[Barack_America]

4. Many Michigan universities are starting "green jobs" programs.

For example:

http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154--220012--,00.html

[graywarrior]

3. That's why I went back to school

At least you can get a work study job out of it.