5 ms·
Universities have erected enormous barriers to entry such as accreditation and state-sponsored scholarships that will severely limit competition. Furthermore, a
by ixnu 17y ago
Universities have erected enormous barriers to entry such as accreditation and state-sponsored scholarships that will severely limit competition. Furthermore, a college degree is not merely a certificate that you have knowledge, but an objective standard of proof. This piece of paper, not the knowledge, is what will keep large institutions in business.
As an extreme example, I’m a cancer survivor who has spent over 5,000 hours researching my type of cancer. I have a science background (MS in CS) and I have spent some serious time in medical libraries and online forums during my recovery. I am convinced that I know my specific form of cancer as well as my oncologists does. It would be interesting to compare scores on a standardized test covering the narrow topic.
Now, how many people would be willing to trust me as an oncologist?
- mhb 17y agoI'm not sure what your point is. Someone could go to college, do poorly in everything except one particular area and be the optimal candidate for a job in that area. Just like you may well be more helpful to someone with a similar condition than the general oncologist.
- ixnu 17y agoI agree with you. In a perfect world, the person with the most knowledge would get the job. But my point is that knowledge is very difficult to judge and universities offer, however flawed, an objective proof of competence. Related to the problem of flawed proof is the competitive barriers that have been erected to limit who can offer objective proof (a degree). All other factors being equal, if you were a new mid-level hiring manager at a 200 person company would you hire someone without a high school degree? A college degree? In the real world, the answer is no because, just like hiring me as an oncologist, it is seen as too much risk.
- mhb 17y agoRight. But I took your comment about the standardized test as a possible alternative certification idea. Certification could be finer-grained than a college diploma. Maybe that sort of testing is a good idea for a business for someone who thinks that this is the way education is headed. As it is people try to apply other criteria to their choices of professionals besides relying solely on a diploma.
- ixnu 17y agoAhh. Sorry, that was a bit confusing. I meant to imply that a test would be an interesting question but not a substitute for experience or a degree. Re certs, there are powerful political interests working to preserve or extend the status quo. It is interesting that most states have gradually increased the requirement for instruction from accredited institutions for professional licenses like law (Bar) and accounting (CPA). Regardless of its PV, a degree is far more important for entry level jobs where there are tons of applicants and little experience between the candidates. I agree that other criteria become more important as a person gains experience and as the position increases in importance. Of course an exception to this rule is, surprise, higher education.