4 replies to this topic

[Bill]

Professor Glenn Reynolds reports:

When you artificially pump up the supply of something (whether it's currency or diplomas), the value drops. The reason why a bachelor's degree on its own no longer conveys intelligence and capability is that the government decided that as many people as possible should have bachelor's degrees.There's something of a pattern here. The government decides to try to increase the middle class by subsidizing things that middle class people have: If middle class people go to college and own homes, then surely if more people go to college and own homes, we'll have more middle class people.But homeownership and college aren't causes of middle-class status, they're markers for possessing the kinds of traits -- self-discipline, the ability to defer gratification, etc. -- that let you enter, and stay in, the middle class.Subsidizing the markers doesn't produce the traits; if anything, it undermines them. One might as well try to promote basketball skills by distributing expensive sneakers.

The laws of microeconomics apply to higher education. Just a reminder, at a certain price a college degree isn't worth it's present value discounted for inflation. Anyone considering going to college should read this rather honest article from Professor Glenn Reynolds.

[RAF2]

Don't forget what is being taught has been dumbed down in many areas too.Just look at that 100+ year old test for 8th graders that was making the rounds a few months back. Compare that to what is required in school now!I have been taking some college courses and these courses are what I covered in HS 30+ years ago! Other than some of my advanced technical classes, it seems most of what I am taking is a repeat of highschool!Why is this? Because now EVERYONE is expected to go to college! How do you do that? Dumb down the curriculum!

[Herb]

For me it's always been about the "Interview" and the "Civil Service Test". During my Military career I wasn't that interested in obtaining a college degree (even though the G.I. Bill would have paid for it. (See , I saved you all a few bucks.) Over the years I have attended many-many Military Tech Schools and gotten my training in those particular areas. Life experience also plays a LARGE part in job seeking and your ability to dazzle the person interviewing you for the position has a GREAT bearing on whether or not you get the job. My one Tour of Duty in the College setting occured in the mid 70's at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg Illinois where I has already been hired as a Mental Health Technician in a State Looney bin called Galesburg State Research Hospital. (A truly depressing place for sure). I lasted less then 2 years and my College experience came to a screaching halt when I met the Professor from hell in a Sociology Class. Turns out he was a Hanoi-Jane clone and we "Clashed" numerous times before I could take it no longer. Bottom line is that I seem to have succeeded in life and done fairly well with nothing more then a High School Diploma and a dazzling personality ! YMMV on that one though.... http://www.ifc.com/v...ace-tattoos.php

[Bill]

I took the Military up on their education opportunities Herb, and although am well degree'ed and over credentialed, I have not really used them for much of anything at all. I am pretty sure it made me into a more well rounded person, but other than that, zip. I have never really 'interviewed' for a job, at least not as an adult, and not really as a teenager either. Either the job was such that no interview was necessary, or my CV and 201 File did the talking for me.

[RAF2]

I'm well rounded.. I just eat more!