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This totally makes sense: education isn't job training. So maybe it's not for everyone, but for me it's a short time in my life where I can study Elementary Th
by ihodes 16y ago
This totally makes sense: education isn't job training.
So maybe it's not for everyone, but for me it's a short time in my life where I can study Elementary Theory of Numbers alongside Cognitive Neuroscience and Computational Genetics and Life Forms without worrying about paying the bills.
Learning how to do a job isn't too hard. You learn on the job, anyway. This is true for computer scientists as much as it is for neurosurgeons (residencies).
School builds a foundation, and hopefully increases your interest in learning. It has mine.
- bbgm 16y agoAnd how do you decide what job? I've changed jobs and fields so often, there is no way you can prepare for that. Yet all the education I got has been instrumental in being able to adjust, evolve and assimilate new knowledge.
- hga 16y agoWhile you make good points, it's probably a good idea to decide on and prepare for your first job. Stick to it for 2 years and you'll be in a much better position to change fields. Plus if you decide early you can then pay attention to make sure it's a good match for you.
- jseliger 16y ago"I've changed jobs and fields so often, there is no way you can prepare for that." I'm a grad student in English lit, and I tell my students that their wisest course of action is to study math and reading/writing. Those two skills are applicable to almost any other domain, make picking up other skills easier, and relatively few people really understand either.
- alnayyir 16y ago3 Rs, reading (w)riting and (a)rithmetic. I've been a proponent of teaching that and rhetoric for a long time.
- hoprocker 16y agoI heartily agree. A good education isn't about learning things per se, it's about learning how to learn.
- Tamerlin 16y agoAgreed. Unfortunately, that seems to be the one thing that colleges and universities are phasing out of their cirricula in favor of Java, consulting, and how to pull all-nighters.
- codexon 16y agoUntil most jobs stop requiring diplomas (probably never), college will continue to be job training. It is a win/win for businesses to have the colleges manage the risk of a weak employee as well as training costs.