An amazing quote.

[me&thegals]

Very interesting. I was listening to an NPR program a month or so ago that was talking about this very subject about education, how so many people go through college unnecessarily when they would probably be better off going directly into their field and being trained. The guest basically said that the skills needed (curiosity, intelligence, willingness to learn and work well with others) are not taught in college anyway.

I'm a college graduate. I loved my education for the time it gave me to grow up away from home, make friends, learn lots of interesting things and be exposed to lots of cultural events, but as for the "book learning", most of that I really could have picked up outside of college.

 

[reinbeau]

Very interesting. I was listening to an NPR program a month or so ago that was talking about this very subject about education, how so many people go through college unnecessarily when they would probably be better off going directly into their field and being trained. The guest basically said that the skills needed (curiosity, intelligence, willingness to learn and work well with others) are not taught in college anyway.

My youngest son is extremely intelligent, he has an upper genius level IQ, but he absolutely hated school (and that's way too long of a rant for this thread). Anyways, he refused to go to college. The chance at an electrician's apprentice position did intrigue him finally, about two years out of high school. He applied, but it took another two years to get accepted into the program. In the union who sponsors this apprenticeship puts them through a five year program, schooling paid for, they get job placement, if they have perfect attendance at both school and shop they get free books (that's a $500 to $600 savings per year). He's in his second year and doing extremely well, he's happy - he's busy, learning, and making money.

I'm a college graduate. I loved my education for the time it gave me to grow up away from home, make friends, learn lots of interesting things and be exposed to lots of cultural events, but as for the "book learning", most of that I really could have picked up outside of college.

I didn't go to college for a myriad of reasons, but I've never had a problem studying and learning anything that interested me. Occasionally it bothers me that I didn't get a degree (I had wanted to be an English teacher, but.....well, best left in the past), particularly when I read some of the 'intellectually superior' attitudes that can be displayed by those who are degreed (I am not speaking to you here, me&thegals). Then I smarten up and realize I'm doing just fine living and learning the way that's best for me, as is my son.

 

[me&thegals]

I come from an extended family of really smart people, interesting to talk to, up on all sorts of topics. I was the first person to go to college and suffered reverse discrimination They figured the only thing college would do is make a person stupid!

I can see the benefits of college but as you say, Ann, you can learn TONS in real life, in the time and place you really need it, not way back when in college when you didn't realize how it would some day apply. Just my opinion

ps--so glad your son found a vocation that suits him!

 

[reinbeau]

:::sigh:::: Not to hijack this thread, but the poor kid got the word today - he's laid off, as are so many other apprentices in the program, because the journeymen are being laid off, and you can't have apprentices without journeymen, they're one on one This damned economy is crumbling everywhere. There's a chance he'll be back to work in a month or so. Sorry, back on topic.....

 

[me&thegals]

That's really too bad. It's starting to feel like a tower of cards, everybody linked to everybody else...

 

[Beekissed]

The "big" oil field job my oldest got around 3 months ago? Everyone laid off....all the companies that were "booming" a few months ago are now laying off all the new workers. Very quick, this economic "change" thingy!

 

[reinbeau]

Hey, many voted for change - I don't think they realized what kind of change they were in for.

 

[Big Daddy]

:::sigh:::: Not to hijack this thread, but the poor kid got the word today - he's laid off, as are so many other apprentices in the program, because the journeymen are being laid off, and you can't have apprentices without journeymen, they're one on one This damned economy is crumbling everywhere. There's a chance he'll be back to work in a month or so. Sorry, back on topic.....

That's too bad. When I read your post about your son I was concerned about that. I heard a guy call into Tom Martino the other day. He was an apprentice and was scheduled to take his test when he got laid off. He couldn't find anything.

Housing will come back around before too long. He'll get back in then. Wish him good luck.

 

[Tallman]

That's too bad. When I read your post about your son I was concerned about that. I heard a guy call into Tom Martino the other day. He was an apprentice and was scheduled to take his test when he got laid off. He couldn't find anything.

Housing will come back around before too long. He'll get back in then. Wish him good luck.

Before long we are going to have all of the "out of work people" in a position where they can not pay their mortgages. This is due to no fault of their own, but it will lead to more housing troubles. Sort of a second wave.

 

[me&thegals]

Hey, many voted for change - I don't think they realized what kind of change they were in for.

I'm not sure that's quite fair. My recall of this is that the economy was tanking well before the election. I am really sorry, though, for everybody who is suffering in this depression.