Fair points, but I think the essence of the parent's comment was whether higher education's mission is/should be to transform the student's ability to think, su

Fair points, but I think the essence of the parent's comment was whether higher education's mission is/should be to transform the student's ability to think, such that they can contribute truly new knowledge to society. and whether training for a job can/should be part of that. I personally do believe in this higher goal of education.