To continue on my current 3E rant, I will focus on education and what I consider to be a badly misunderstood concept. First let me say that aside from being a graduate with multiple degrees, my bona fides include 12 years of work experience in higher education mostly in the IT and telecommunications but also in front of the classroom. I can say with absolute confidence that higher education is not the answer for every person in their pursuit of the American dream. If you think that a college degree is your ticket to easy street, think again.

No I’m not trashing higher ed, there is plenty of opportunity for those willing to work with the limits that a bachelors degree offers. If you aren’t going to get a technical, medical or specialty degree then a post graduate route is your only chance for a decent job. If you think a B.A. in English will pave the road you are better off foregoing the time and expense of State U and striking out straight out of high school as an entrepreneur or trade. If the English degree is important for your writing ambitions then go for it but don’t count on that degree to get you a JOB. A bachelors degree from any decent school will suffice, but if you want more consider your masters at a more prestigious institution.

Consider that the national average for a state public university costs around $50,000 for 4 years and over $100k for private institutions. There are other numbers out there that would double those amounts but I got this from Uncle Sam so take that with a grain of salt. If you are a scholar or athlete and can manage a scholarship, or your parents have deep pockets then you are part of a privileged monority. The rest of us had to either borrow or work our way through. Those estimates don’t consider all the other costs like gas and beer.

And another thing, where did everyone get the big idea that you learn everything you need to know in college. I got news for you, about the only thing you learn in college is how to learn. It can give you the basic tools and concepts but don’t get the idea you will immediately know everything you need to know for your JOB. In fact its been my experience that few college professors have actually had a real job. Most are professional students that got a bachelors, liked it so well they decided to do a masters and while they were at it went on to to get that phd or as I like to refer to it piled higher and deeper. Universities need to do a better job of teaching practical skills. There are of course the exceptions but few of us can actually qualify or afford to go to MIT or Wharton.

What’s the alternative? Well ask one of the richest guys in the world, Bill Gates. That’s right Bill was a college dropout and masterful entrepreneur who took an idea and lots of ambitions to dizzying heights. Granted there are VERY few that fall into that category but many of the most wealthy people I know who didn’t get it the old fashioned way, inherit it, started out as a common laborer or selling whatever. If you don’t go the college route and don’t buy into the 9 – 5 grind of the JOB, you would have a 4 or 5 year jump on your compadres that went off to college.

Speaking of the JOB, I bought into the old fashioned notion that the way to the American dream was a career as an engineer with a wife and 3 kids. The big D (not Dallas), disenchantment with the paycheck route have convinced me that there has to be a better way. Don’t get me wrong I make good money on the JOB but having to go to work is not fun. If you have a job you love then you are truly blessed. No matter how much money you make, if you don’t enjoy your work, the loss of self respect, the drag on your psyche and health are hardly worth it.

One of the greatest lessons in life I learned from my father who preached above all the need for a good dose of common sense. I’ve always been ‘book smart’ but struggled with this concept that comes so easy for those that come home smelling like crap but are as happy as they can be. Of course they don’t make much money but they know they have to live within their means and are content. You certainly aren’t taught that in school.

I only focus here on higher and leave early education as a given. It is vitally important for so many reasons but my only comment has to do with the pressures put on kids to excel by both parents and teachers. Yes kids need to learn to learn and the essentials are absolutely necessary but they’re kids for cryin’ out loud. Let them be kids for a while and lets not make such a big deal about not making the honor roll. I’m no psychologist but its got to have lasting, detrimental effects on kids when they don’t exceed your expectations.

So what’s the point of all this? Too much emphasis is placed on “going to college” but not enough on what career paths to pursue. Consider the current crisis in Information Technology. Depending on who you talk to there is a severe shortage of qualified IT workers. Not enough skilled workers they say. I suspect there is some truth to that but also think companies put to much emphasis on exactly matching their needs to whats on someone’s resume, but thats another rant. Going along with the shortage theory, why does this require a college degree? Some of sharpest and brightest IT folks I know didn’t go to school and if you are in IT you know it is truly a life long learning experience. As an IT director, I go more for practical experience and certifications. A computer science degree has little bearing on whether you are a good IT worker.

One of my biggest regrets in life is that I didn’t take that plunge into the entrepreneurial world sooner while I still had big dreams and plenty of energy. Now my dream is to get out from under the mortgage and other debt that comes with “successful” life. Just remember kiddies, everyone is in debt just at different levels, but that is also another story. Don’t be too enamored with a degree, life experience and a sharp mind is far more important. Go for it!

PEACE

The Sage