• kraftykitty
    +2

    I was trying to think of a better title, because I think you're right. However, I do think one of the panelists was pretty negative. Don't study anything with "studies" in it? Really? One of my majors was Global Studies, and I am doing just fine, thank you sir. I also think it's a good discussion, and it brings up a lot of solid points. For example, the demise of manufacturing is definitely one of the root problems a lot of young people are facing. When my dad was in college, he worked at a chemical plant in the summer. I didn't have many options except for waiting tables or babysitting.

    • worthlessgalaxy (edited 8 years ago)
      +2

      First i want to say awesome post (should have said that earlier), don't know where else i would have seen this.

      I agree that he was a little extreme on that one but when you take it with some of his other comments it can be viewed in a little better light. I think combined with we should reduce how many people attend college and change how we value degrees it isn't as bad. I think his view is there are a lot of jobs that require college degrees to be hired but don't really use them. I agree on that point, but I do think he is under valuing the experience and information that can be gained through classes and majors/minors in those fields. I personally think it's a difficult balance, currently us millennials (usa at least) are taking on a ton of student debt and spending years in college that might not really affect our job performance but are required to get the job.

      The change in job opportunities is also reflected in the experience required. We are taking on unpaid internships to get experience so we can get entry level jobs. I'm fortunate to be working in a well paying job that I like, but many people are stuck in bad situations working for free or for pennies.

      I'm off for the evening, will look to continue later if you have more thoughts.

      • kraftykitty
        +1

        Thanks! I thought it was relatively well-balanced and thought out. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

        It is definitely a difficult balance and a troubling situation. The value of a college degree has not stayed equal with the costs and debt one has to take on to get the little piece of that says, "look at me, I learn good." I agree with you that there are lots of required classes that do little to further our employment prospects. Having gone to a liberal arts college, that definitely resonates with me.

        I too lucked out and have been able to find engaging and provoking employment post-graduation, but there are far too many young people whose education and skills have not translated into viable economic options. As a society, I think it is important for us to reevaluate these educational and economic systems, because it has far-reaching implications in many different sectors - education, employment, home ownership, marriage, child-rearing, and more. The real question is, how do we fix it?