Comments on: Another Dirty Secret about College

By: Marcel

Marcel — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:11:19 +0000

This modern obsession with getting a college degree boils down to a status symbol to get people’s hopes up and keep them on a narrow path to corporate servitude. We’re taught that it will be the guaranteed path to good jobs, secure financial future, good citizenship, etc…. But I think a lot of recent graduates are going to be sorely disappointed (as I am continually reminded in my own precarious employment situation) when they find this is not the case.

So your article rings quite true for me personally; it reminds me of comments I made in a recent article for Strike the Root: http://www.strike-the-root.com/92/votlucka/votlucka1.html

Best,
Marcel

By: Barbara Frank

Barbara Frank — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:57:33 +0000

Anonymous poster d, very few people have both the aptitude and intelligence to successfully jump through all the hoops required to become a neurosurgeon, regardless of the size of the (currently enormous) college student pool, so I wouldn’t worry if I were you.

As for the stats on salary related to education, they’re changing. Find some current stats. Don’t forget to balance average salary with average college debt load in order to see the true picture.

By: d

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:26:22 +0000

babs while i’m generally in agreeance with your sentiment that a college education isn’t necessary to have a good career, i think that the greater populace pursuing higher education is an absolute must. using your neurosurgeon argument, i’d feel much safer knowing that a neurosurgeon is the best of 100 people vying for his position rather than the best of 10.

ps gates is the exception to the rule. look up statistics on average salary related to level of education.

By: Barbara Frank

Barbara Frank — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:36:16 +0000

Carol, it’s hard to go against the flow when it comes to college because so many people push kids toward it long and hard! They hear this message from the time they’re small. I think that will change before long, though.

Karen, thanks for stopping by!

Susan, it is weird, isn’t it? Guess Gates thinks he’s the exception to the rule. As long as college tuition keeps increasing far faster than the rate of inflation, more and more people will learn to survive without a college education.

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:48:54 +0000

Bill Gates did ok as a college dropout.
Isn’t it fascinating that he’s pushing universal preschool and college for all now? Amazing what a whole lot of money and some misguided intentions can do to public policy.

By: Karen Lange

Karen Lange — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:05:09 +0000

Hi Barbara,
Thanks for sharing this and shedding light on this topic. Will have to check out the link.

By: Carol J. Alexander

Carol J. Alexander — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:49:06 +0000

Hi Barbara,
Thanks for the great resource. I have one son, out of highschool for three years, just now going to college because he wants to be more than a construction worker. I think it’s totally unnecessary (in light of his skills), but he’s listening to the world. My second son, this his first year out of high school, is leaving for a year-long commitment to the mission field but has no clue what he will do when he returns. I have a daughter, highschool senior, who does not want to go to college per se, but wants to be prepared lest Mr. Right tarries. I will have them both check out this site. And I will, too, as I have three more coming up. Thanks again for your efforts.
Blessings,
Carol