Maybe college for all isn't the answer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yeah, let's all be illiterate.

Are you the snob who told your 5-year-old that people who worked at McDonalds didn't try hard enough?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate that I hear this more and more.

Certainly there are cases when a student can't afford to go to college, but otherwise even if ultimately performing a job that doesn't require a college degree, everyone is better off getting more education.

Some people just aren't cut out for academics but have other wonderful skills. I can't see how 4 years of struggling and feeling worthless all for the sake of "education" is better than learning a trade and earning a decent salary (often quite a bit above decent). Further "education" is not only gained in school. Don't get me wrong, I value traditional education but you have to understand that there are people who just aren't book smart. No matter how many years they have in school this will not change. This country doesn't need more college debt to forgive but we do need more productive hard working, citizens.

+1 Well stated, PP.

[Anonymous]

Sadly, I know a surprising number of millenials who do have college degrees but found they couldn't get a decent paying job. So, now, they are taking welding classes or going to cooking school. Cincinnati has a school called Cincinnati State that has cooking, welding, etc. and there are a lot of people there re-training for a job. I don't think people should put their noses down at people who are just trying to "re-configure" themselves for the job world. Too many people seem to go to 4 year colleges when maybe they should just do 2 year trainings.

On top of millenials, I know too many lawyers who are now re-training to try to get some sort of job. It's a tough world out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
I hate that I hear this more and more.

Certainly there are cases when a student can't afford to go to college, but otherwise even if ultimately performing a job that doesn't require a college degree, everyone is better off getting more education.


Some people just aren't cut out for academics but have other wonderful skills. I can't see how 4 years of struggling and feeling worthless all for the sake of "education" is better than learning a trade and earning a decent salary (often quite a bit above decent). Further "education" is not only gained in school. Don't get me wrong, I value traditional education but you have to understand that there are people who just aren't book smart. No matter how many years they have in school this will not change. This country doesn't need more college debt to forgive but we do need more productive hard working, citizens.

There are plenty of people who do well at school and fail in the work place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate that I hear this more and more.

Certainly there are cases when a student can't afford to go to college, but otherwise even if ultimately performing a job that doesn't require a college degree, everyone is better off getting more education.

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yeah, let's all be illiterate.

You know, I hate to say this, but a lot of people with bachelor's and master's degrees aren't especially literate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've made blue collar work something to be ashamed of. People who push paper around a desk are "better" than a plumber who makes twice as much and enjoys what they do.

That attitude is confined to certain regions, DC Metro being a major one. I agree that college is not the answer for everyone and I celebrate all productive work. That said, I wonder what I would do if one of my kids (all in elementary) told me later on that he wasn't going to college. I wouldn't force him, but I would definitely encourage a trade school rather than a stationary job flipping burgers or working retail, etc.

Agree completely. Grew up on the Hill, had to reeducate myself about the validity of a life lived without formal education. I seriously had the conception that if you had no college degree (at minimum) your contributions to society were basically worthless. Major mindfuck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate that I hear this more and more.

Certainly there are cases when a student can't afford to go to college, but otherwise even if ultimately performing a job that doesn't require a college degree, everyone is better off getting more education.

You're hearing this more and more only because this generation of parents expects 100% of their offspring to go to college. Not all are equipped to handle it. Thirty years ago many parents just said "you're on your own after 18" and kids made do. Some went to work; some learned a trade; some went to local community college; some the local colleges; and the top students to the very best four year colleges. Now, for a variety of reasons, all parents (and administrators and teachers) feel the push to get 100% of their student class into college even though some kids clearly don't fit.

[Anonymous]

I"m 50. I did not know anyone who didn't go to college. It all depends on the affluence of the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've made blue collar work something to be ashamed of. People who push paper around a desk are "better" than a plumber who makes twice as much and enjoys what they do.

That attitude is confined to certain regions, DC Metro being a major one. I agree that college is not the answer for everyone and I celebrate all productive work. That said, I wonder what I would do if one of my kids (all in elementary) told me later on that he wasn't going to college. I wouldn't force him, but I would definitely encourage a trade school rather than a stationary job flipping burgers or working retail, etc.

Agree completely. Grew up on the Hill, had to reeducate myself about the validity of a life lived without formal education. I seriously had the conception that if you had no college degree (at minimum) your contributions to society were basically worthless. Major mindfuck.

My plumber and mechanic earn as much as or more than I do and neither has a college degree but are self-employed. I asked for the plumbers address so I could send a Christmas card. I can't afford his side of town with my fancy schmancy degree.

Major mind blower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate that I hear this more and more.

Certainly there are cases when a student can't afford to go to college, but otherwise even if ultimately performing a job that doesn't require a college degree, everyone is better off getting more education.

You're hearing this more and more only because this generation of parents expects 100% of their offspring to go to college. Not all are equipped to handle it. Thirty years ago many parents just said "you're on your own after 18" and kids made do. Some went to work; some learned a trade; some went to local community college; some the local colleges; and the top students to the very best four year colleges. Now, for a variety of reasons, all parents (and administrators and teachers) feel the push to get 100% of their student class into college even though some kids clearly don't fit.

A lot of higher education is a racket. Big money has been made by adding extra hoops (the diplomas, not the actual knowledge) that people have to go through if they want to be considered for a "good" job. It's falling apart now that those pricey diplomas aren't guaranteeing jobs.