I wholeheartedly agree! Before I had children, I spent many years working towards a bachelor's and master's degree, as well as a few other specialty certifications. I thought it was the best thing I ever did, and at the time, I could not imagine anyone choosing not to go to college (barring financial, medical, cultural or religious reasons).
Then, I met my husband, the college-drop out.
I spent some time urging him to finish his degree, asking questions, and not understanding his answers. Once I landed my first professional job, the only reason I qualified for it at my young and inexperienced age was due to my multiple degrees (as well as many years volunteering in my desired field). I did not see how he could obtain an equally satisfying job without a degree.
Then, he got a job that was higher-paying and more emotionally-satisfying. Wow.
I then realized that many professions do not depend on a degree from higher education. For him, he is in the web development industry. He is also in his 40s. Can you imagine how obsolete his college degree would be, from 20 years ago? The web was not even invented yet! He has worked diligently to become self-taught through hands-on experience, volunteering at times, and always keeping up-to-date with the latest technology. He is always pushing himself to become better and to learn more. I think those are the traits that we wish for our kids; regardless of degree status.
However...I still hold my ground that I DO think a college education offers more than just job-specific learning, as universities offer comprehensive classes on a broad array of topics, you are offered opportunities such as internships, study-abroad programs, and more. And, perhaps most importantly, you have the opportunity to engage in conversation with people who are different from you in every way; college and universities attract extremely diverse populations of both students and professionals in a way that most other neighborhoods, schools and local jobs do not.
As long as my children are interested in continuing to learn and be curious about the world and people around them once they graduate from high school, that would fulfill my wish for them!
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I wholeheartedly agree! Before I had children, I spent many years working towards a bachelor's and master's degree, as well as a few other specialty certifications. I thought it was the best thing I ever did, and at the time, I could not imagine anyone choosing not to go to college (barring financial, medical, cultural or religious reasons).
Then, I met my husband, the college-drop out.
I spent some time urging him to finish his degree, asking questions, and not understanding his answers. Once I landed my first professional job, the only reason I qualified for it at my young and inexperienced age was due to my multiple degrees (as well as many years volunteering in my desired field). I did not see how he could obtain an equally satisfying job without a degree.
Then, he got a job that was higher-paying and more emotionally-satisfying. Wow.
I then realized that many professions do not depend on a degree from higher education. For him, he is in the web development industry. He is also in his 40s. Can you imagine how obsolete his college degree would be, from 20 years ago? The web was not even invented yet! He has worked diligently to become self-taught through hands-on experience, volunteering at times, and always keeping up-to-date with the latest technology. He is always pushing himself to become better and to learn more. I think those are the traits that we wish for our kids; regardless of degree status.
However...I still hold my ground that I DO think a college education offers more than just job-specific learning, as universities offer comprehensive classes on a broad array of topics, you are offered opportunities such as internships, study-abroad programs, and more. And, perhaps most importantly, you have the opportunity to engage in conversation with people who are different from you in every way; college and universities attract extremely diverse populations of both students and professionals in a way that most other neighborhoods, schools and local jobs do not.
As long as my children are interested in continuing to learn and be curious about the world and people around them once they graduate from high school, that would fulfill my wish for them!
September 29, 2009 - 12:45pmThis Comment
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