5 ms·

I think the most amazing thing about this article is that it was written (or at least bylined) by a sitting senator. I don't agree with many of Sen. Alexander'

I think the most amazing thing about this article is that it was written (or at least bylined) by a sitting senator. I don't agree with many of Sen. Alexander's political positions generally, but wow! That's a policy paper right there and a rare thing for a politician to do, generally. Basically, this piece seems intended to 'pull' the average student back towards a four-year average by giving them opportunities to graduate early. However, I feel it doesn't actually incentivize them to graduate unless they're already driven to do so. @yummyfajitas, tokenadult, It would definitely be interesting to graduate in three years, but I think the better option is to regear the fourth year as a transition year, with few classes and geared towards internships, externships, coops, and on-campus research. It should propel you to grad school, your vocation, or even give you a chance to meet co-founders and enter startupdom.

jbellis 17y ago
> I think the most amazing thing about this article is that it was written (or at least bylined) by a sitting senator. I did a double-take when I saw then name, then skipped to the end to see the byline. Yes, it's the same one. (Didn't know he used to be president of the University of Tennessee, either.)
yummyfajitas 17y ago
Instead of graduating in 3 years and getting work experience in the 4'th year, students should stay in school and get work experience (*ternship, coop, research) in the 4'th year? Apart from being an opportunity for the college to take an "internship fee", "computer fee", "student activities fee", "PIRG fee", etc, what purpose does this serve that 3 year graduation would not?
- fpgeek 17y ago
  It gives the student an opportunity to get a taste of the working world before making their first major professional decision. That, to me, is worthwhile.
  - yummyfajitas 17y ago
    What makes the 4'th year internship a "taste" while the first job is a "major professional decision"? Is it simply because the label "internship" will make it socially acceptable to quit and do something else?
    - fpgeek 17y ago
      Pretty much. An internship is structured to be time-limited, so there's a natural stopping point to re-assess (on both sides). First jobs don't have that. Consider law and business students who typically do summer internships. Many end up working for their internship employer, but many do not.
  - cheriot 17y ago
    In the current system, that taste is often lifeguarding or serving cheese fries. Especially for first and second year students, many will be better off if they keep taking classes until they have the skills to get a job/internship that's more worthwhile.

jbellis 17y ago

> I think the most amazing thing about this article is that it was written (or at least bylined) by a sitting senator. I did a double-take when I saw then name, then skipped to the end to see the byline. Yes, it's the same one. (Didn't know he used to be president of the University of Tennessee, either.)

yummyfajitas 17y ago

Instead of graduating in 3 years and getting work experience in the 4'th year, students should stay in school and get work experience (*ternship, coop, research) in the 4'th year? Apart from being an opportunity for the college to take an "internship fee", "computer fee", "student activities fee", "PIRG fee", etc, what purpose does this serve that 3 year graduation would not?

fpgeek 17y ago
It gives the student an opportunity to get a taste of the working world before making their first major professional decision. That, to me, is worthwhile.
- yummyfajitas 17y ago
  What makes the 4'th year internship a "taste" while the first job is a "major professional decision"? Is it simply because the label "internship" will make it socially acceptable to quit and do something else?
  - fpgeek 17y ago
    Pretty much. An internship is structured to be time-limited, so there's a natural stopping point to re-assess (on both sides). First jobs don't have that. Consider law and business students who typically do summer internships. Many end up working for their internship employer, but many do not.
- cheriot 17y ago
  In the current system, that taste is often lifeguarding or serving cheese fries. Especially for first and second year students, many will be better off if they keep taking classes until they have the skills to get a job/internship that's more worthwhile.