ManyRoses
02-28-2011, 12:30 PM
I absolutely sympathize with a lot of what is being said here. I think that the main problem is twofold:
1 - people are told that they absolutely "have" to get a degree. Like a few of the girls have said, the idea of not going to college is not even considered by most. This has devalued the degree to such an extent that it means almost nothing.
2 - schools these days are so focused on "rewards" and "building self esteem" that they give awards and praise for the smallest achievement, and provide so much "help" for everyone that most kids leave school with a sense of entitlement.
These two things put together mean that all high school graduates believe that they are special, and in the top 10%, that they will be going to college, and then a job will be waiting for them as soon as they graduate. Many people I've spoken to over the years don't even choose a degree based on career prospects or a passion, but because it is a "good degree to have"! So many school graduates believe that they are entitled to a job if they get a degree, so they don't have the mindset to go above and beyond to get one. Combine this with hundreds of other graduates with a "good degree to have" who also believe that they shouldn't have to do anything more than gain the degree, and you have a hugely overqualified waiting staff across the country.
I would love to go back to university, but I would love to go back to study art to expand my skills for the job I already have. I would really love to see people get a JOB straight out of school, one that they are truly passionate about, one that suits their temperament and personality, and train on the job. And then, when they are working, and have saved enough to go to school, go to school to move up in their career. It may seem completely radical, but that would mean that you don't have student debts, because you are not borrowing before you are earning. It means that if you are starting in an industry at an entry-level position, you find out if you would actually, really enjoy the industry before you spend thousands of dollars on a degree...
sorry for the looooong post - this is a subject that is close to my heart! I know too many people who are working in jobs they hate, or are unemployed, or who are simply dealing with mountains of debt because people guiding them refused to think differently.
1 - people are told that they absolutely "have" to get a degree. Like a few of the girls have said, the idea of not going to college is not even considered by most. This has devalued the degree to such an extent that it means almost nothing.
2 - schools these days are so focused on "rewards" and "building self esteem" that they give awards and praise for the smallest achievement, and provide so much "help" for everyone that most kids leave school with a sense of entitlement.
These two things put together mean that all high school graduates believe that they are special, and in the top 10%, that they will be going to college, and then a job will be waiting for them as soon as they graduate. Many people I've spoken to over the years don't even choose a degree based on career prospects or a passion, but because it is a "good degree to have"! So many school graduates believe that they are entitled to a job if they get a degree, so they don't have the mindset to go above and beyond to get one. Combine this with hundreds of other graduates with a "good degree to have" who also believe that they shouldn't have to do anything more than gain the degree, and you have a hugely overqualified waiting staff across the country.
I would love to go back to university, but I would love to go back to study art to expand my skills for the job I already have. I would really love to see people get a JOB straight out of school, one that they are truly passionate about, one that suits their temperament and personality, and train on the job. And then, when they are working, and have saved enough to go to school, go to school to move up in their career. It may seem completely radical, but that would mean that you don't have student debts, because you are not borrowing before you are earning. It means that if you are starting in an industry at an entry-level position, you find out if you would actually, really enjoy the industry before you spend thousands of dollars on a degree...
sorry for the looooong post - this is a subject that is close to my heart! I know too many people who are working in jobs they hate, or are unemployed, or who are simply dealing with mountains of debt because people guiding them refused to think differently.