In reply to: Hell no we shouldn't. The people who can't pay off $12k loan posted by Freight Train
when you say "there is inherent value in a collegiate education." Your statement would be more accurate if you removed the word "collegiate."
There is inherent value in gaining knowledge and educating yourself by whatever means possible. Reading books, speaking to experts in the field, learning via apprenticeship, watching informational videos, deep-diving materials on the internet, and the list goes on.....
At one point, college may have served that purpose as well, but these days it's primary role is to produce a piece of paper (the degree) that theoretically makes you attractive to a future employer.
And sadly, many degrees these days are indeed garbage because they cannot fulfill that fundamental goal. The knowledge that you gain from a college education is not worthless, but it can certainly be gained many other places at a fraction of the cost.
He said he went to college and grad school mainly because back in the 70s that was the only way he could get access to the equipment he needed to make movies. His advice to current kids with today's technology is that if you want to make movies, you don't need to go to college. Instead, just start making movies and build a portfolio of work. The same thought process can now extended to education more generally.
jaded and cynical view of higher education. I don’t really know what to say other than I find your view to be sad and impoverished.
Let’s take your plumber. A good one is well-paid, well in excess of college graduates who toil in lots of low-paying jobs. Now, further assume this plumber likes his job and it supports his lifestyle and his dependents. He doesn’t own a college degree and he has no student debt.
I believe your argument is that your plumber is somehow impoverished if he doesn’t own a college degree?
I suppose I shake my head like a disappointed father at that, too.
No, I don’t think anyone without a college degree is impoverished. I was describing that other poster’s view of college ed, not people.
Well, except for the deadbeats that didn’t pay for it. You’re damn right it’s owned.
I am envisioning you shaking your head at me like a disappointed father, but also note a complete lack of substance in your reply.
You go on seeing the world as you wish it were - hopefully it works out for you.
But I dream of a better world. And I support policies I think will bring that better world about.
Are all people college graduates or just more than today? Should everyone go to college? If not, who should and shouldn’t, and on what basis should we judge that decision? And once we decide that, who should pay for that degree and in what percentage share? Or should college be free to all?
Someone land a job in ANY field. Doesn’t even have to be in the art field. There is no reason to go to college unless it leads to gainful employment. That’s why trade schools and apprentice programs exist. My son should not have gone to college. He is now a trade vocation, apprentice program and he and his family are very happy that he is doing that instead of toileting unsuccessfully to get a degree that would be useless to him..