College students are required to take courses that won't always help them in their careers.
Did you ever hear the story of the Emperor who has no clothes? Basically the Emperor is fooled into believe he is wearing beautiful clothes and no one is willing to tell him he is naked. It’s not until he goes out into the streets that a child sees him and points out what everyone knows but is too afraid to say.
I feel like that when it comes to the topic of college. Everyone tells you it’s important. As a parent I prepared my children early on that college wasn’t just an option it was just a fact of life that they would go.
Now that I have two in college I hate to admit it but after seeing the schools they have attended (very well respected schools) and the courses they have taken, I feel like I have been sold a bill of goods.
I work in business and I know the reality that a diploma is a requirement for most jobs and definitely if you want to climb the corporate ladder.
But the education process I have seen up close is one that is designed to make schools profit and waste my hard earned cash. Students take required courses in things that in no way will prepare them for what I know they will face in corporate America.
I felt slightly vindicated last week when I read an article in the Wall Street Journal from Scott Adams, who is the creator of the Dilbert comics. He said what I have felt for a long time.
There are kids that will benefit from engineering, physics, calculus and Art History. They will use these classes and make real contributions. But there is another group of students that would really benefit from courses in things like entrepreneurship. Teach them about finance, marketing and how to negotiate with people. These are the everyday skills they will need in their careers.
I know colleges aren’t about to change their required courses, especially when they have teachers on staff in certain subjects that they are paying, so they need to put students in those classes. But I can at least take some solace in hearing another voice in the crowd who agrees with me that colleges do take advantage of the fact that businesses prefer candidates with college degrees. This fact puts our children at the mercy of the college, and they will continue to be forced to take courses they don’t need just to satisfy the school’s financial obligations.
Trackback URL for this post: http://www.bizchickblogs.com/2011/04/colleges-holding-our-children-hostage.html/trackback/
I am right there with you on this one. There is a lot of fluff that could be taken out and not to mention the non availability of certain nessisary classes that are not offered and can’t take at other locations because it wont transfer.
I think the idea of getting a college education has definitely changed over the years. In years past it was the “fact” of the degree that let a person rise up the ladder in a company. Now I think it is important that people attend schools that teach the skills and histories of professions rather than a smattering of “stuff.” Having said that I’m a firm believer in studying literature and art because it is the right brain subjects that train the mind in creative thinking…being able to recognize and take intuitive leaps of logic and keep the left brain supplied with creative fertilizer.
Yes, teachers at colleges can only teach what they themselves know and do indeed have their own points-of-view…but they are people too! As a student the idea is not to just absorb what you’re given and come out a robot with a degree – rather the idea is to take what you need and make it your own.
This is why we homeschool and are not pushing college unless absolutely needed for their field of interest. I have read a lot from John Taylor Gatto about the educational systems in the Western world and there is only one main goal-to produce a product for the employers of the world. They want robotic types who will say yes and do as they are told when and where. I refuse to allow my children to continue in an environment where their opinions are not heard and don’t matter, where their individual learning styles are “labeled” because they don’t fit a mold. College is no different, only you pay for the privilege of having these things happen to your kids or yourself.
Ok, enough getting riled up for the day. I have stuff to attend to. Great article Sandy.
Oh my gosh you could not be more right! My youngest is in his junior year. He spent 3 months in London and couldn’t wait to get out of there! They promoted a program that majored in photographic art. The studio was smaller than our rec room and they had 35mm film cameras. Nothing digital and they claimed to be a fine arts college??? My sons equipment was of greater value. Needless to say, other than a different perspective and culture, he waster 30K plus.
And that is just one aspect. How about the views they impose on our children? My son walked out of class angrier than I have ever heard him in his entire life. He bellowed over the phone to me, “Moooommmm who the F do they think they are? I walked out otherwise I might have punched the guy!!! I will not be indoctrinated. I F ing refuse! He stated incorrect historical facts, not beliefs! No one who may have disagreed with his statement was allowed to respond. What good is that? Is this what I’m paying for? Hell no, I’m going to student affairs. this is BS!!”
Evidently the sub professor, who showed up late for class, stated some religious historical facts that were incorrect. When my son tried to ask about the validity of what was being said, a long one sided lecture ensued. It amounted to shut up, only my view is important. Some other students left as well. They were not of the same religious beliefs as my son. Add to that my son attended private school for 9 years of that religion and can site any date, reason, and person related to the historical timeline that applies. I was proud of him for leaving!
One thing I can say for this private school is that the instructors are experienced in the field of study they teach. The business end of the profession is part of the curriculum and required. I think that is the only reason my son is continuing with his degree.
Oh this is an issue that really gets my goat. I feel like the educational system just shuffles students through leaving them with no real preparation or DIRECTION for what to do with their skill set. What’s worse most people graduate and don’t even know what their skill set is! I wish education as a whole would start treating students like people who are going to grow our society, instead of numbers they need to push through graduation. Thanks for shedding light on the issue, Sandy.
Hi Sandy Miller,
This is excellent article keeping in mind the psychology of a student. I definitely agree that colleges have just become a well infrastructure jail for students. And studying is the only motto of any child growing in this world.This should change.
This blog post is very real, as an eye opener. It is a fact that we are not thinking of our next generation’s future. If they did not prosper environmentally and educationally, how will they be ahead of all other countries in this world. This how America was, a head with all other countries.
It is time to collectively change as Americans. We have to work harder with specific goals to improve ourselves, our families and our country will prosper naturally.
I’m always surprised at how unprepared people are when they graduate and get into their first job. They aren’t taught anything (seemingly) about professionalism, and certain degrees don’t translate well toward their career counterpart. Like someone I know who graduated with a marketing degree and hasn’t got the first clue how to handle anything in terms of social media or email marketing. It’s like they learn a lot of textbook “repeat the facts” info but nothing that is actually applicable, except in theory.
This isn’t true for most professions (like I’d hate to meet a doctor that didn’t go to college) but for some, the students would benefit from less textbooks and more internships.
It’s funny you said about internships. I met with 2 interns today who are working in marketing at a major company. One commented that her current marketing professor has NEVER worked in marketing yet he is teaching. She told me that everything he has told her has no bearing on what she is seeing in work every day.
The sad part is that she has enough intern experience to realize this, but what about the student that doesn’t. He will be totally unprepared by the professor.
I totally agree. I think we need to look at what is going to be relevant for kids in their chosen careers. I feel this is one reason so many kids give up on the idea of college. It is extremely expensive and they don’t see the value of the classes so they choose not to further their education and that is hurting how the US competes.