patrick.net

My impression of London law is that it's more of a political science-y a/o business-thinking program, for those who want to work in govt or private organizations.

Thus, if you want to get involved in a United Nations NGO or perhaps, a corporate counsel for a multi-national which works w/ govt agencies, then this London LLB may be a better degree to have, than to waste time/money on a US based BA/JD or BA/MBA. With one degree, the law and the management end are kinda both covered.

Of course, one still needs the US LLM to sit for the local bar.

Concerning the London School of Economics specifically, American high schoolers or homeschoolers should watch the youtube for a full college econometrics course...

http://www.youtube.com/embed/WK03XgoVsPM

Basically, if this course is not understandable, after a few passes, then don't apply for LSE, look for an easier program.

Carolyn C says

Does anyone have any idea how Marine biology majors are faring in the job market? My daughter loves the subject but I fear she will be unemployed when she graduates. She is an A student in a (mostly Asian/Middle Eastern) competitive public school system.

There are so many options in this field. A cousin of mine studies fish populations in the Delta. Also the many companies that pollute the bay and ocean have to do tests on the native fish. So, she could go to work for a major oil company (think extraction, leaks, etc.)

rufita11 says

Carolyn C says

Does anyone have any idea how Marine biology majors are faring in the job market? My daughter loves the subject but I fear she will be unemployed when she graduates. She is an A student in a (mostly Asian/Middle Eastern) competitive public school system.

There are so many options in this field. A cousin of mine studies fish populations in the Delta. Also the many companies that pollute the bay and ocean have to do tests on the native fish. So, she could go to work for a major oil company (think extraction, leaks, etc.)

What's more important here is that internship/CO-OP with Conoco-Philips than the actual degree itself. Thus, she could have studied geology, petroleum engineering, biochemistry, or what-have-you but that first parachute is what matters. In other words, flip the parameters and look at it from an employers pov.

----

Student A

Experience: Shell Corp, 1.5 years in oil exploration, toxicology, and marine impact studies. Operated equipment, collected and analyzed samples, performed maintenance. Started as intern, junior year of college.

Education: BS, Geochemistry (minored in Marine Biology), Univ of Colorado

----

Student B

Experience: University Lab, analyzed tissues of diseased sturgeons. Submitted report for senior thesis

Education: BS, Marine Biology, Univ of Colorado

----

In my above sample, Student A will have numerous 2nd interviews in petrochemical and water treatment companies, throughout the country. Student B, on the other hand, will more likely never get a call back unless those hiring managers are a friend/alumni of hers.

In my hypothetical example above, Student A's only problem will be with stupid HR types, trying to prevent his resume from seeing the right hiring managers.

For Student B, she's really depended upon some cronyism/nepotism to get her through the door.

Thus, Student A will be starting his new job as a real professional.

Because I've worked in those firms, where the spouse, the professional trainer, or the son of a someone in the firm got 'em the job. In the latter cases, no one respected them and it was clear that their talent a/o work ethic simply wasn't there.

It's much better to be Student A, spend the 1st six months working like hell, and gain one's co-workers' respect. Sure, in the end, some MBA jerk could still lay him off but at least, he'll leave with some new professional contacts and possible future opportunities.

Rin says

In other words, flip the parameters and look at it from an employers pov.

The problem is there are FAR more hopeful students than there are positions available.

In a parallel universe where the economy is booming yet available graduates of any caliber are rare student B will have no problem getting multiple lucrative offers from companies desperate for talent.

Of course Student B may get lucky and find the tissue analysis she used on those sturgeon are in demand by industries other than big oil (bioengineering, pharma, etc). She may also have have no interest in relocating to BFE where big oil typically wants its field personnel.

Rin says

he'll leave with some new professional contacts and possible future opportunities.

One would hope; however those contacts will have a limited shelf life, maybe 6 months at best.

New Renter says

booming yet available graduates of any caliber are rare student B will have no problem getting multiple lucrative offers from companies desperate for talent.

Of course Student B may get lucky and find the tissue analysis she used on those sturgeon are in demand by industries other than big oil (bioengineering, pharma, etc). She may also have have no interest in relocating to BFE where big oil typically wants its field personnel.

Problem is even when the economy is booming, it's still rare for a student B to find a job.

And as for 1st breakout job, everyone has to move. Many persons I knew, didn't find that "real deal" job near their hometowns. Usually, they move back home, in 2 to 5 years.

New Renter says

One would hope; however those contacts will have a limited shelf life, maybe 6 months at best.

I've found that when one gets into a new firm, usually, 2 or 3 follow, from the same originating firm. And then, since these are seasoned persons, it's not the same as the son or spouse situation, which causes the strife in the new company.

New Renter says

Of course Student B may get lucky and find the tissue analysis she used on those sturgeon are in demand by industries other than big oil (bioengineering, pharma, etc)

On the above, here's an addendum.

This is a hypothetical student C, who's working at her university lab for a fictitious Dr Joe Williams, a renown expert on toxicology and marine systems. Many national labs, private orgs, and corporations invite him for seminars, consulting work, etc.

With the above stated, student C's resume looks like the following ...

---

Student C

Experience: The Williams Group/Univ of Co, analyzed tissues of diseased sturgeons. Submitted report for senior thesis.

Education: BS, Marine Biology, Univ of Colorado

---

Now, the above person is basically applying, as an experienced R&D technician, from a renown scholar in her field of study. Thus, she'll get a slew of 2nd interviews, but it'll be from some highly select depts out there. The student A, on the other hand, will be able to place himself, into more generic positions and in a more broad manner, thus maximizing his parachute.

Student B's position, however, not being associated with Williams, remains in the same boat.

Rin,

One factor you have yet to address. How hot are A,B and C? How will a fugly A fare against a smokin' hottie B?

New Renter says

Rin,

One factor you have yet to address. How hot are A,B and C? How will a fugly A fare against a smokin' hottie B?

Think sales, a hot 'B', once she sends a photo pic to a sales exec, chances are, she'll get the job once she can pass the BS artistry interview.

A fugly 'A', nope! That resume better go to R&D a/o back office vis-a-vis production support. But still, with proper exercise and some makeover, many fuglies can actually become a 5+, and thus, also be able to transition into sales.

And I always recommend Americans to laterally move from R&D to sales/consulting because R&D is always prone towards offshoring and layoffs, whereas ppl who can close deals seem to always be in demand.

Our receptionist, though not a perfect 9 or 10 model, is somewhere nearing a 7, while at the same time, has that work ethic of an engineer and thus, she's a perfect poster child of what the firm represents to the clients.

Ok ppl, I put a lot of thought into this thread.

Any more comments?

Once again Rin, I thank you and greatly appreciate this thread.

thunderlips11 says

Once again Rin, I thank you and greatly appreciate this thread.

One more point, if your kids are interested in LSE ... they might as well, learn the material for the Economics major, while in HS.

Though my friends are into the whole well rounded, K-12 education, with languages & so-forth, in reality, now that I've been working for over a decade, I don't see many well-rounded ppl in the real world.

Thus, if let's say having the French or Chinese conversational fluency or writing that great American essay, like an Emerson, isn't all that important, then perhaps, it's better to use that time, simply to ready oneself for the London final exams.

I'm writing here, to take a break from all the threads about seeing esc*rts, in place of having a relationship.

Thus, as I'd stated in those threads, balance is the key.

Rin says

I'm writing here, to take a break from all the threads about seeing esc*rts, in place of having a relationship.

Thus, as I'd stated in those threads, balance is the key.

One hot escort in each hand. How would you balance them in bed?

Strategist says

One hot escort in each hand. How would you balance them in bed?

No, let's keep this one about education. We can continue to talk about esc*rts on the other ones.

I'm actually trying to make a point about the Renaissance man and that's that the R-man is not one dimensional.

Rin says

given the unusual level of cyberbullying

it's amazing how far we are willing to contort basic concepts for the benefit of big business.

the social networks CREATED this environment of potential abuse and are not held accountable? instead we move this into municipal courts and create a new crime 'cyberbullying', but WE MUST at ALL COSTS keep the social network spam machines intact.

FACT: social networks created this notion of 'safe harbor' and gave the web site owner a free pass for whatever content shows up on thier site. This created two things 1) loads of dumb fucking websites with useless material posted by bored non-experts in everything 2) supposed great advertising revenue from penis enlargement ads.

in a normal universe, the domain owner is liable for what gets posted on their site. Cyberbullying my ass, Facebook is liable for hosting defamatory material.

Unlike housing, college is optional.

The Original Bankster says

in a normal universe, the domain owner is liable for what gets posted on their site. Cyberbullying my ass, Facebook is liable for hosting defamatory material.

Regardless of the alpha or omega of the situation, it doesn't change the idea that it's better for someone to learn at home, given the sheer volume of available education content online vs being in a hostile situation/environment like many of today's schools.

Education ought to be the sole responsibility of the parents.

Rin says

Regardless of the alpha or omega of the situation, it doesn't change the idea that it's better for someone to learn to home, given the sheer volume of available education content online vs being in a hostile situation/environment like many of today's schools.

All environments can be hostile. Kids should be taught to deal with adversity.

Peter P says

All environments can be hostile. Kids should be taught to deal with adversity.

If two adults start punching one another, someone's getting charged for assault & battery. And likewise, if an adult is stalking and harassing another adult, lawsuits will be coming.

In contrast, none of that stuff happens with kids and thus, regular and cyber bullying go on, and the purpose of school is to get a piece of paper which tells the world that one's ready to be employed.

Thus, I'd take the kids out of school. I know a bunch of parents who already have.

I support the idea of home schooling and I no longer think public education beyond grade 6 pays dividends.

I am against bullying but kids cannot be too sheltered either.

Peter P says

Kids should be taught to deal with adversity.

Like hiring a bigger bully.

New Renter says

Peter P says

Kids should be taught to deal with adversity.

Like hiring a bigger bully.

Like being a teacher's pet? Doesn't work. What if the bigger bully (the teacher) isn't around. Now it's good to learn some Machiavellian tricks. :-)

John Bailo says

Sorry, but many areas around colleges which used to be cheap are now skyrocketing because of "urban density". And they kick the kids out of dorms after freshman year.

yep, they just built a new law school in downtown phoenix... propertyPrice++

I got my smile and I got my got my Nikon Camera, and I like to take a photograph.
So Mama please don't take my Kodachrome away, oh yeah!

Peter P says

Like being a teacher's pet? Doesn't work.

No, just a bigger bully.

And no reason the kid can't learn Machiavellian tricks too.

The Original Bankster says

yep, they just built a new law school in downtown phoenix... propertyPrice++

There is a BIG glut of law graduates. Enrollment in law schools is going down:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/emsi/2014/01/10/the-job-market-for-lawyers-side-work-on-the-rise-amid-continuing-glut-of-new-grads/

I just paid my tuition for this Fall. In cash. No debt.

I'm getting a second degree. Mathematics with a teaching certificate.

http://www.math.utsa.edu/

BTW, I'm 61 years old and a disabled veteran.

Common to both the higher education and housing markets-massive government intervention designed to get everyone to college and into a home and to make it affordable!

Hasn't worked out but they keep coming up with more wasteful programs.

smaulgld says

Common to both the higher education and housing markets-massive government intervention designed to get everyone to college and into a home and to make it affordable!

The government program was designed to keep Americans on the debt treadmill their entire lives and it's working well.