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C IL | Sure, the curriculum is always outdated. Has always been. The pace of change just keeps increasing in tempo and the frontier of knowledge increasingly moves from the government and university research labs to the private labs. And the buzzword I hear a lot is ‘lifetime learning’.
The purpose of college is to teach people to think critically and learn on their own. So, if they go to a good school and your kids are challenged to think critically, they can easily acquire additional skills they might need to be successful. In fact, it is easier to acquire those skills than ever before in history, thanks to the Internet, YouTube, etc - all sorts of self directed learning is available.
As an example, comprehending statistics and probability is a base education thing. Applying them to your job field involves critical thinking (find a dataset, measure things that matter, understand the analysis). Using an array of software tools to perform the calculations is a skill; you can learn skills in a job, internship, classroom, or on your own if you are motivated.
IMO there is increasing value being put on having not just a 4-year degree but a 4-year degree that means something. So a degree from an influential school means more in the abstract job market than a degree from the tiny local private college. And a STEM degree is typically more highly valued than, say, a degree in Russian literature. Not saying it is fair, just fact.
Also, hey, your kids probably aren’t all the same and maybe a skilled trade is a great outcome for one or more or all of your kids. You know them and they can be successful via many paths. The university is not for everyone.
Encourage your kids to make prudent decisions and don’t force them down a path. They probably have good role models for parents when it comes to decision making. The push should be in striving for excellence, not in taking a particular path. MO.
Edited by sand85 2/12/2019 07:03
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Good Read
