DR. WALLACE: I plan to attend college next year after my high school graduation. I really don't care what my major will be. All I want is that diploma so I can go out and make money. Please don't be shocked when I inform you that I will major in the easiest major available. Most employers are impressed with the degree, not the major. And I have several older friends and relatives that don't currently even work in the field that they "majored" in at school.
Also, please tell me how much more a guy with a college degree can expect to earn over a guy with only has a high school diploma. — Ready to earn, via email
READY: Those with college degrees earn, on average, close to half a million dollars more over a lifetime than people without a degree. But my young friend, a college degree does not guarantee financial riches. The degree is merely a key that could unlock some nice employment opportunities. It's up to the graduate to use that key to open the right doors for his or her career path.
While I wish you success in your goals, I also hope your quest for "the easiest major" gets waylaid and what you find instead is an area of study that you actually enjoy. My advice is to work in a field that you have a strong interest or passion for. Once you become proficient and develop your professional skill sets therein, the increased earnings will come. Nothing is worse than for a young person right out of school to take a job only based upon a starting salary and to years later feel trapped in a field that yields no joy or satisfaction.
I MUST STOP CRACKING KNUCKLES
DR. WALLACE: I'm a 15-year-old girl who has a passion for playing the cello. However, I have a problem that concerns me. I have the bad habit of cracking my knuckles. My mother says this is bad because my hands are practically a part of my instrument, and since I plan on playing the cello the rest of my life, I'm kind of worried.
I also fear my habit could make my knuckles bigger, which could lead to arthritis. I really want to find a way to stop this annoying habit. Do you have any suggestions? — Anonymous, Nashville, Tn.
ANONYMOUS: I contacted a professional cello player and was told to try wearing tight, thin rubber gloves when you are at home and even when you are practicing on the instrument. That's what he does these days - because he had a habit of chewing his fingernails, which made his hands an unsightly mess. He told me that this idea cured his chewing habit in about a month.
While the cracking knuckles can make an unpleasant sound, it does not cause knuckles to swell and it does not lead to arthritis. For those who may at first disagree with me on this statement, please check with your doctor before chastising me! It's indeed a habit that can indeed become annoying, but really has no physical consequences.
I AGREE WITH YOU
DR. WALLACE: I'm a babysitter with a mild gripe. I babysit for a particular mother in our neighborhood regularly. She has two children, ages five and six.
The problem is that another lady almost always brings over her daughter to "play" with the first two children, and I wind up watching three children instead of two. (Both ladies go shopping or out to eat together.). Naturally, I'm only paid for sitting for two children, not three.
My mom says that I should not say anything, but I think I should mention it to the primary lady I babysit for. What do you think? — Babysitter, via email
BABYSITTER: Since the second lady regularly deposits her precious cargo into your trusting and loving care, you definitely do deserve additional remuneration for this additional child from another family. Therefore, I agree with you completely. You should mention this to the mother you usually babysit for, but be sure to do so diplomatically. She may, for example, choose to compensate you an extra amount herself so as not to "challenge" or embarrass her friend. Or, on the other hand, she might suggest that you make contact the second mom directly to ask for the compensation. Either way, be pleasant, earnest and when you do ask directly for your additional compensation, do it with a kind word about the child and have friendly smile on your face!
Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
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