An open letter to my favorite boy from Boston
John john john...
i just read your editorial for the january 28 issue of the clause. i completely disagree with you!
first, lets look at the Apprentice. the teams competing against each other are Magna (those who have a college degree) and Net Worth (those with only a high school diploma.) Why did the team w/out college degrees name themselves "net worth"? Because they collectively earn more money than the other team. Now is money all there is to it? no, but all we hear nowadays is how a college education will earn us more money. however the jobs that do not necessarily require college degrees (management, entreprenurishps, real estate) allow one to earn (or lose) a good deal of money.
Currently, Team Net Worth has won more challenges than Magna. How do you like dem apples?
Regarding Leinart... football is a dangerous sport. What if he plays this season at USC only to injure himself? He is jeopardizing his football career. However, if he went pro next year and still injured himself, he would still have the satisfaction of going pro. He then could get his degree. To a guy like Leinart, his degree is truly only a piece of paper. Yes he got the knowledge and experience of a college education, but he still is going to make football -- not a major at most colleges -- his vocation. Even after retirement, he will either play golf -- also not a major at most colleges -- or pursue something in the sports industry. Now, will his education help this next stage of his life? Perhaps, if he majored in communications or perhaps business. However Leinart is a sociology major. Though it is the major of champions, it also will not provide outstanding background for what most top athletes pursue after retiring from play.
Do I think college is a waste of time? Obviously not, as I am still pursuing a bachelors. But after meeting successful people with very high-ranking positions in the company i work for who have never stepped foot on a college campus, I have come to realize that the education from the school of hard knocks can be better than the education received from Harvard.
If someone has a natural talent at sports and is recruited before he ends his college career, I think he shold accept the offer. If a person goes into real estate or self employement and is successful, college may only hinder his career.
You wrote, "Professional sports should not allow high schoolers to skip college. Most of these athletes don't realize that after their career is over in 15 years they won't be able to do anything except flip burgers for minimum wage-the McDonald's manager won't care if you were drafted fifth in the NBA out of high school."
After 15 years of playing professional sports, even the least-payed athlete would be able to provide a comfortable lifestyle for himself, his family, and a small village in Africa.
Yes John, there are some careers that require a college education for good reaon. Doctors are trusted with the livelyhood of other human beings. Teachers are responsible for the education of those who are tomorrow's leaders. Football players play football -- they boast great determination, perseverance, and talent. These are three characteristics that no class can teach.
i just read your editorial for the january 28 issue of the clause. i completely disagree with you!
first, lets look at the Apprentice. the teams competing against each other are Magna (those who have a college degree) and Net Worth (those with only a high school diploma.) Why did the team w/out college degrees name themselves "net worth"? Because they collectively earn more money than the other team. Now is money all there is to it? no, but all we hear nowadays is how a college education will earn us more money. however the jobs that do not necessarily require college degrees (management, entreprenurishps, real estate) allow one to earn (or lose) a good deal of money.
Currently, Team Net Worth has won more challenges than Magna. How do you like dem apples?
Regarding Leinart... football is a dangerous sport. What if he plays this season at USC only to injure himself? He is jeopardizing his football career. However, if he went pro next year and still injured himself, he would still have the satisfaction of going pro. He then could get his degree. To a guy like Leinart, his degree is truly only a piece of paper. Yes he got the knowledge and experience of a college education, but he still is going to make football -- not a major at most colleges -- his vocation. Even after retirement, he will either play golf -- also not a major at most colleges -- or pursue something in the sports industry. Now, will his education help this next stage of his life? Perhaps, if he majored in communications or perhaps business. However Leinart is a sociology major. Though it is the major of champions, it also will not provide outstanding background for what most top athletes pursue after retiring from play.
Do I think college is a waste of time? Obviously not, as I am still pursuing a bachelors. But after meeting successful people with very high-ranking positions in the company i work for who have never stepped foot on a college campus, I have come to realize that the education from the school of hard knocks can be better than the education received from Harvard.
If someone has a natural talent at sports and is recruited before he ends his college career, I think he shold accept the offer. If a person goes into real estate or self employement and is successful, college may only hinder his career.
You wrote, "Professional sports should not allow high schoolers to skip college. Most of these athletes don't realize that after their career is over in 15 years they won't be able to do anything except flip burgers for minimum wage-the McDonald's manager won't care if you were drafted fifth in the NBA out of high school."
After 15 years of playing professional sports, even the least-payed athlete would be able to provide a comfortable lifestyle for himself, his family, and a small village in Africa.
Yes John, there are some careers that require a college education for good reaon. Doctors are trusted with the livelyhood of other human beings. Teachers are responsible for the education of those who are tomorrow's leaders. Football players play football -- they boast great determination, perseverance, and talent. These are three characteristics that no class can teach.