It has gotten too darn expensive to get a basic degree anymore. It makes you wonder if the ROI is worth it? Tie that to the lack of jobs and you have a serious question. On the other hand, it isn't the worst of times. So, what is the real problem?
I came out of college in Buffalo, NY in 1982 where unemployment was 14%. Luckily (hard work) I was able to find a job in the computer industry, and made a career there which allowed me to pay off my small student loan. I also worked as a laborer all through high school and college which allowed me to cover all of my expenses.
There are two problems:
First, many college students don't want to do labor jobs. I'm not calling them lazy, but there are always jobs for those who are willing to do the dirty jobs.
Second, colleges aren't training and educating their students to attain real jobs. The cost of the education is far too great compared to the saleable skills learned; leaving students in a boat load of debt, and many times without reasonable employment options.
Possible solution:
What we need is apprenticeship programs to compete with University programs.
Areas such as: Network Engineering, Accounting, Skilled Construction, Education, etc. could easily be apprenticeship programs and in turn reduce the debt required to attain a degree that doesn't really prepare people for careers.
Check out the whole platform position in the book: Political Common Sense for America
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Yes, indeed. Around this rural part of Kansas, really close to the Teachers College {Emporia, Kansas} the impact of teaching accounting to the young people and telling them that they now have the tools to go-forth and earn a wage of $15.00 an/hour...is just insanity! And yet those poor unfortunate graduates wander out into this economic repressed work force with the high expectations of earning that same said wage, when the going job market for someone with 20 years experience is only earning $11.75 an hour {and that is at the top end of the admin wage scales}. The graduates are ill prepared for the 'REALITY' of the work place/wages/job market!!! And they absolutely don't want/nor have the desire to work at any other minimum wage scale job until something else opens up!!! Currently Minimum wage is $6.15 an hour!
ReplyDeleteExcellent IDEA ...and long over due. During the early 50's and well into the 70's it seemed that there were a wide variety of apprentice type of jobs that the job market would have available for anyone wanting to learn a trade...I feel that is a real lost art and would be a great inducement to let someone learn as they earn and become self sufficient...a productive part of society!
ReplyDelete