Your thoughts on the value of a college education for people aged 18-40. Interpret the term "value" from various perspectives; salary, marketability, contribution to society, role modeling for younger generations, etc. You asked!So here we go. My thoughts on the value(s) of a college education.
We should start with my experience as it relates college. I was a bored teenager in high-school. Secondary education in the United States is about as challenging as defeating a liberal in a debate centered in logic and reason (for those of who don't get the joke I mean it's very very very simple). When my friends and family congratulated me on this 'accomplishment' I look at the gorilla standing to my left, and the mouth breather standing to my right as I waited to get my diploma and couldn't help but notice that anyone seemed capable of this meager 'accomplishment'. After graduating high-school a got a better paying job, and soon moved out to start my life as an adult. While living out on my own I got the crazy idea that I should go back to school so my roommate and I enrolled in the local community college taking two tele-courses. Between books, and tuition I spent nearly a $1000 which ended up wasted as I withdrew from both of these courses as I could not motivate myself to even bother to watch the lectures/lessons on the TV at the prescribed time.
So let's address the specific areas of my aunt's request. "What is the value of college from the perspective of salary?" It is evident that most college educated people tend to make larger salaries in life compared to those who do not. However I ask the question as to whether is this a result of the education, or simply that these people are motivated in life? My personal opinion is that a college education should be more as part of your plan rather than THE plan. If you wanted to be a rocket scientist then your plan will require a college education to break into that field. It's a prerequisite for the field. Other career options may not. So in the framework of salary, it is my opinion that a college education alone isn't a required factor, but rather a factor only if your choice in career requires it.
"What is the value of a college education as it relates to your marketability?" This really depends on your audience. In my field (which is information technology) a degree is usually ignored as it's generally irrelevant. Experience and skill determine your success in information technology. Having a degree doesn't necessarily hurt and in some cases may open a few doors, however at least in this field it's not likely to get you the job, or keep it. In other fields I can certainly see how having a degree can make you more marketable professionally. Again, all this ties into what you intend to do with your life and you should assess the value of having that degree to determine if it is a wise investment of your time and resources.
"What is the value of a college education as it relates to your general contribution to society?" Completely irrelevant. I can think of no person in history who was able to make a greater contribution to society simply because of their college education. The person is what's important here, not the education. An education is simply a tool to be used to accomplish your goals.
"What is the value of a college education as it relates to being a role model?" I once again have to say that I have never looked at anyone in life and respected them more simply because of their education. What brings my respect are what accomplishments they make in their life. A higher education doesn't make one worthy of respect, what they choose to do with their life does.
So what it boils down to is my opinion of college is that can be a very valuable investment of your time and resources so long as it's part of a plan to use that education. When I hear of young adults graduating high-school and going to college to 'figure out what they want to to do in life', I cringe. It is also my belief that educators also greatly over inflate the value of that education. I see more elitism among educators than among any other group of people in life. Now, this isn't to say I don't respect that idea, I am a perfect example of an elitist after all. However it does bother me when lesser minds attempt to look down on others simply because they had the financial resources to receive an education. I have bested a friend in a debate to the validity of 'theory' of evolution who had a master's degree in microbiology. An education isn't what warrants respect, but rather the mind of the person. Look down on those who are dumber than you, not those who received less of an education. :)
Another problem I have is the entire 'college experience' argument. When you read about these frat parties and young adults acting like total baboons because they lack the maturity to become functional adults and they do so while spending thousands of dollars a year in tuition because they aren't ready to start their lives; I become filled with boiling rage and contempt for the enablers who encourage this behavior. This however stems into a deeper issue of parenting and preparing your children for adulthood so I'll stop there.
I hope I've answered your questions Sue, looking forward to your comments...
I suppose I'm one of those wordy academics! My post was too long for your blog to accept. I will send my response via email.
ReplyDelete