I thought this recent study was interesting. If it is true (I haven't read the actual study, just this article about it), then we need to stop focusing so much on cranking out more college grads and focus on how we can increase the quality of education being provided. I would say that a big part has to do with the students not really going to learn, but to complete the next requirement, so I'm not sure how much the government can do for it, but obviously something has to change.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/41139685
3 weeks ago
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4 comments:
I absolutely agree. It follows the old adage that says those who are given everything appreciate nothing. If you simply need to wait out your degree and somehow find the funding (though it is ridiculously easy to do that much) you'll get a college degree. To be worth anything, it has to be exclusive. Not intentionally eliminating people, but having high standards that require work and growth and development. I think the system and requirements needed to be looked at as well.
YES! I agree with both Matt and Cathy. I reflected on my own education, and I felt mine was a little above the average that was described, but still I understood the limitations and where it could have been better. Some semesters where I would have 200+ pages of reading due in a given week while others having only around 50 between all of my classes. A lot of people fudged the readings as much as possible (guilty upon occasion), and as I got into higher level classes, it was obvious those who tried to do as little as possible.
Cathy, I think you're right not only for higher education but high school as well. I think a diploma should mean something again.
I am the only person in my department who does not have a college degree and I feel as though I grasp the work requirements much better than my coworkers. I also consistently receive the highest reviews. I chose work experience over education and I have a very good corporate job. Obviously, for some professions work experience isn't enough. But making college an absolutely essential part of a person's career path isn't logical. I think the culture of education needs to change. Thanks for posting this article!
I agree with you Maegan. I went to college and came pretty darn close to getting a degree, but at the time I was working in my chosen career and had progressed enough that I felt (and still feel) that the degree didn't give me any more of an advantage over my competition. I am a firm believer in life-long learning and I would rather study subjects on my own.
I also agree with what Tom said in that getting a degree doesn't mean you're smart or know any more about your chosen major than those without. All it means is that you had money and could jump through the hoops. Sure there are a lot of people who actually used their college time to learn and grow and most likely gained valuable insights that I still haven't learned, but I think there are more who got the degree who still have no clue and can't compete with our international competition.
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