I suppose the answer would depend on how one decided to measure "worth." It does seem like there are a lot of students who enter college unable to do the work.
"Author and career coach Marty Nemko argues that when kids are not adequately prepared for college, they are simply wasting their time and money on four years of college-level course work."
In my field, there are post-baccalaureate programs for people who need some extra language training before starting graduate school. Perhaps something like that would be good for high school students. Oh, wait, there is community college.
Thank you for this. I listened to it with great interest.
Of the things I noticed:
The military is a good alternative to college? Or so Marty seems to at one point suggest. And while I'm not going to bash the military too tough, it does seem...odd to say: "College isn't for you. Here's a gun. Go kill."
Secondly, I don't recall exactly where I was in my HS graduating class, but most likely bottom 40%, almost certain I was in the bottom 50%, and I got my college degree in 5 years--not 8.
Third, the stats he threw out about college seniors who couldn't analyze arguments in newspapers or determine if they had enough gas to get to the gas station....well, to a large extent, that is on the students. Students who don't give a shit won't get shit from college--except the degree
( ... )
good point. I forgot to mention, though I presume many (if not all) here already know that half the problem starts so much before college that it's no surprise that after college the problem continues.
I went to a state school; my freshman year a fellow student described the school as "insanely mediocre". It had it's few bright students--some very few who were very bright--then a sizeable chunk of "average" students and then, the inverse numbers and intelligence of the bright ones.
I knew many students who I wondered: "why on earth are you here at college? you don't seem to *want to know* much of anything, so wtf?"
In Canada we distinguish between college and university, basically the same idea as community college and university in the U.S. A lot of students are told, coming out of high school that they need a university degree for a job and not told why. This is the sort of thing that needs to be addressed, not the "worth" of a BA.
I see too many students in my first year classes who I think would be much happier on another career path and I try to point out their options when appropriate. Heck, had I know how lucrative, say, a millwright's job could be when I got out of high school, I'd probably have gone straight for college.
When I first moved to Ontario to start my MA, the province was pushing the trades option through an uptick in TV ads many of which where aimed at women. I used to joke with a friend about quitting school and becoming an electrician and sometimes I still wistfully consider it when I see how well the apprentice electrician I know is doing.
I teach these students. Even when they don't get their degree, it's still worth it, because their skills, competencies, and opportunities are improved. Is it worth it to go to an expensive college? Not unless you are prepared to take full advantage. But college itself? For at least 60-80% of students the answer is yes, and for many of the rest it would be after some remedial work.
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"Author and career coach Marty Nemko argues that when kids are not adequately prepared for college, they are simply wasting their time and money on four years of college-level course work."
In my field, there are post-baccalaureate programs for people who need some extra language training before starting graduate school. Perhaps something like that would be good for high school students. Oh, wait, there is community college.
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And in my field (microbiology), it's still the case that you can't even apply for an entry-level job without a Bachelor of Science.
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I think we have been discussing this topic since college was opened up to the middle class.
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Gee, can you tell I spend Monday's catching up on email? :-P
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Of the things I noticed:
The military is a good alternative to college? Or so Marty seems to at one point suggest. And while I'm not going to bash the military too tough, it does seem...odd to say: "College isn't for you. Here's a gun. Go kill."
Secondly, I don't recall exactly where I was in my HS graduating class, but most likely bottom 40%, almost certain I was in the bottom 50%, and I got my college degree in 5 years--not 8.
Third, the stats he threw out about college seniors who couldn't analyze arguments in newspapers or determine if they had enough gas to get to the gas station....well, to a large extent, that is on the students. Students who don't give a shit won't get shit from college--except the degree ( ... )
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(The comment has been removed)
I went to a state school; my freshman year a fellow student described the school as "insanely mediocre". It had it's few bright students--some very few who were very bright--then a sizeable chunk of "average" students and then, the inverse numbers and intelligence of the bright ones.
I knew many students who I wondered: "why on earth are you here at college? you don't seem to *want to know* much of anything, so wtf?"
College can't cure those who aren't curious.
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(The comment has been removed)
I see too many students in my first year classes who I think would be much happier on another career path and I try to point out their options when appropriate. Heck, had I know how lucrative, say, a millwright's job could be when I got out of high school, I'd probably have gone straight for college.
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