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

Yes, not going to a 4 year school and instead going to a trade school or getting technical skills after high school really makes someone illiterate. Thanks for setting us straight.

yeah, let's all be illiterate.

The video was really good despite the spastic graphics.

I think that many people are still convinced that as long as the degree comes from a "good school", then well-payed employment will follow. Not only is this logic extremely flawed, but people are borrowing extreme amounts of money to go to these overpriced universities only to find the guaranteed jobs do not exist.

If you're going to major is something vague such as business (the example in the video) or American Studies or international relations, you might as well go to a local college and save your money. That way, if the jobs don't materialize (shocker), then at least you don't have a monstrous debt hanging over you.

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.

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.

I think the whole highly paid blue collar worker is coming to an end. All of the people I have hired to do drywall, painting, fence work, HVAC are immigrants. They immigrants charge about 1/2 and do the same amount of work without the "I am the expert" attitude. I do notice that larger companies also hire immigrants and all the white blue collar workers are all off trying to start their own businesses.

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.

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.

I couldn't agree more. In many places in the world, for example Germany, technical schools are very reputable and frankly better at preparing students for certain careers. Unfortunately in the US we have this notion that it is either college or bust. Then number of fresh BAs out there scrambling for jobs is depressing.

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiRGRvE_Wqg

Torally agree. But of course college is the only rhetoric kids hear in school. They need to understand what the other options are as well.

It's not the answer for everyone. I say that as someone with a PhD and values education greatly. College isn't for everyone and I think many bachelors and even graduate degrees aren't particularly meaningful anymore.

My BIL is dyslexic and struggled in college without finishing. He became a master electrician, never lacks work and is financially successful enough to own multiple rental properties. All of that to say, I totally agree.

DH and I agree 100%. He does appliance repair now, makes good money, but dropped out of college after 2 years but still is paying off the loans. Didn't realize college wasn't for him until about a year in.

I am in a field where you can't get by without a bachelors and professional degree, but I will leave it up to the kids to decide what they want to do. We will support them either way.

http://vimeo.com/67277269

Thoughts?

I think we need to make it clear to students that going to college straight out of HS may not be the best option. We should work to improve career and technical education for students.