On my post about not understanding college students, there is some interesting discussion in the comments area. Ben said:
Why is this surprising to you? The nature of knowledge has changed drastically in the past 100 years, but society’s expectations have not. It used to be if you had a thirst for knowledge that went unmet in your home or your high school then if you had the means you went to college and LEARNED because it was the only place with books and professors who were expertly educated. Now you and I can go to any Barnes and Noble or any public library and learn anything we want to. Anything. A college education is virtually worthless but no one is willing to admit that because recognizing that would throw a wrench in too many people’s plans. People go to get their piece of paper to show how “smart” they got and leave. If you gave me four years, a library, an Encyclopedia, a Book store and the internet I guarantee you I could learn more than any pompous turd at any college in this country. It’s all about the resume now.
Gracey London responded:
I totally agree with Ben. Unless you’re going to a liberal arts university. In which case you’ll learn all about life and human beings, but probably end up flipping burgers at McDonalds after you graduate.
Is that what’s going to happen to me? Am I going to spend four years of my life getting a Bachelor’s degree, only to end up flipping burgers at McDonalds anyway? I have to admit, I know a few people that have done just that. Go to college, get great grades, get their degree… and they still can’t find a job. Are college degrees worth anything at this point?
Update: Apparently, I’m not the only one with this concern.
Comments 10
That’s a very interesting question. I guess it all depends in what area someone chooses to develop in. I personally received my bachelors and certain certificates in Graphic Design, yet after 3 years in the filed, I decided to work in retail instead while still freelancing on the side.
And after 5 years in retail, I make a bit more than as a designer.
Posted 05 May 2007 at 9:33 pm ¶I have to admit I had the same thoughts all 4 years I spent getting my BS.
Posted 05 May 2007 at 11:55 pm ¶A college degree today is like a high school degree used to be years ago. It’s a requirement, a right of passage, another thing that will get you considered for jobs. Many jobs require a degree, at least they say so and they use that as a way to filter candidates.
I’m still not sure if college helped me all that much since I’ve worked tech support contracts ever since graduating and one job at a print shop having nothing to do with my field of study in college (advertising). But all I can say is college for me was more about meeting people and making connections than the actual coursework. That’s just my story and I’m not the normal person so your mileage may vary.
Overall, I’d say go because while it may not open doors, it will keep them from getting closed on you.
I went to university to study philosophy, and received my bachelor’s degree with honours. I can say with absolute certainty that no amount of reading philosophical treatises on my own time would’ve helped me learn a fraction of what I eventually came to know thanks to my professors and the learning atmosphere that university classes allow.
And, I can say that I make a strong income. Even with a philosophy degree.
Someone told me once that there is almost no correlation between one’s major and one’s career anymore. Unless you’re a business major.
Posted 06 May 2007 at 2:01 am ¶I definitely think that university can be a great place to learn, because it is a place where you find a structured kind of knowledge, a community dedicated to learning and people who can share there knowledge with you. This is why I think three years at university to get the BA were worth it,even if I might have ended up flipping burgers. You can never be sure, that any way of education, study, internship or whatever is good for your career, but if you can get a good insight into the things you are really interested in, i think this is the best start for a career. You can only be succesfull if you do something you really like. So if you like history/media/*fil in what you like*, study it.
Besides that: German universities emphazise the independence of students. You have to organize/learn/find etc. everything by yourself. This is something that is really helpful in everyday life.
Posted 07 May 2007 at 1:35 pm ¶Thanks for all of the different point of views. They’re much appreciated.
I’ve thought some more about the issue, and I think it is worth the trouble. Some fine points have been made regarding personal growth outside the sphere of actual learning. Also, because I want to work in education or academia, I don’t really see any other way. When it comes to teaching or working in the academic field, you basically have to have a college education.
Posted 08 May 2007 at 7:51 am ¶I have an opinon about Michigan State that I would like to make. the statement I’m about to make can’t really be geared to someone specifically, but I need to vent my feelings out to someone. I graduated from state 4 years ago with a degree in communications. I’m going on 27 years old. I’m still living at home with my parents struggling to make my monthly credit card bills because of my student loans. Luckly I had a nice 13 dollar an hour job I held onto for 2 years that paid alot of it off until I lost my job. Still I’m atleast 25,000 dollars in dept along with my 600 minimum monthly credit card payments I have to make. I just want to say that I think that Michigan State is nothing but a SCHAM. I find it horrible that an education is 60,000 some dollars when most of us can’t even find jobs after college. When I was young I never knew that this would happened to me and I think that more future students who come from the same family backgrounds as I do finanacially should be be more informed. I know I was certainly oblivious to it. I could of gone to a trade school and gotten just as much of a good education. To me State is a college that is overly commercialized to pressure young people socially into believing that going to an expensive college is the best. Also, the advisors there were RUDE as well. I feel like my dreams have been shattered more and more. I hope eventually to find a a non 10 dollar an hour job were I’m treated right along with my sanity. Once I get this financial burden off my back, I hope to live in peace and hopefully a place of my own someday. Whatever this so called American dream is anymore. Thanks to MSU I can’t do that.
Posted 18 Mar 2008 at 10:48 pm ¶Julie: Sorry to hear about your troubles.
It seems to be all too common now for folks to get a degree and still not be able to get a job. I’m not sure as to what the causes are; job market saturation perhaps, with so many people having degrees.
At any rate, I hope things work out for you eventually. Keep your head up, and good luck.
Posted 19 Mar 2008 at 5:39 pm ¶@Julie
You know, if you want it bad you’ll do everything it takes to achieve your goal. I know people who were high school drop-outs, now they’re churning good $50k per year doing automotive works and so on; something they love doing.
If you’re good enough to graduate from Michigan State with a degree, I’m sure you can find something you love enough and use your “earned” knowledge. Say, apply to some public relations firm; if it doesn’t work then move on, try again and again and again!
Sorry for the situation though
Just keep being persistent!
Posted 23 Mar 2008 at 10:29 am ¶Alex: Yeah, really, that’s the only advice that can be given for such a situation: keep looking for something. Such advice can be frustrating, but it’s either keep trying or give up, and giving up won’t fix the problem.
Best of luck in your searches, Julie, and thanks for the comment Alex!
Posted 24 Mar 2008 at 12:21 pm ¶Hey guys, I’m writting a debate on college education is overated. Julie I can not believe this has happen to you, I believe that education system simply wants our money and give us the education we need to find the jobs that we dream about. Public school needs to cut back on general ed requirements, I mean most college students waste a good 2 years on general ed, they need to cut. If the state system loves to teach more history or basic science then they need to have better teachers at the High schools.
Posted 07 May 2008 at 11:13 pm ¶I wish you guys the best, good luck with finding the job tha treats you right , and pays you accordingly.
-Zohra
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