Education, Part 1

This post is part 1 in a series on higher education

OVERVIEW


It is widely agreed that our education system is flawed.  I used to think that it was just public schools (high schools in particular), but having recently graduated from college in the most depressed year of the economic recession ('09 ftw?), I see now that our education system as a whole is broken, from Kindergarten right up to undergrad. 

Our education system does not teach real skills.  I am an intellectual and acadmic at heart, but the truth of the matter is that outside of academia and the occasional philosophical discussion, this type of knowledge does not help the majority of people get jobs.  Our population is 300 million and growing...there are a lot of people, increased competition for jobs, and a shortage of people with real, hard skills.  At one end of the spectrum of course we are looking at mathematicians, computer scientists, biologists, chemists, physicists, engineers and the like, but equally as important, I am talking about mechanics, plumbers, electricians, and other types of trade skills. 

In our economy, we are seeing for the first time that the 4 year college thing isn't working as well as it has in the past, and despite the insistent demands of parents, the answer is not necessarily more education.  My family, for example, thorougly believes that more education (literally "get that masters, regardless of the field or degree") is the only solution, and simply possessing a master's degree in anything will automatically grant you higher wages, a better job and increased quality of life.  THIS IS NOT TRUE.  This is a widespread misunderstanding that is particularly popular among those who do not fully understand how higher education works.  These same people used to think the same thing about a bachelor's degree....until they realized that college grads are now coming out of school worse off than ever before.  The job market has changed dramatically over the past couple of decades, and the old way of thinking is no longer effective.  My personal observation is that this way of thinking is particularly popular among minorities, immigrant groups, and parents who are less education themselves (read: they did not finish high school or college, and therefore are completely unfamiliar with higher education), but my thoughts on that are probably for another post!

Aside from the careers in which you need to attain an advanced degree in order (medicine, law, etc.), a graduate degree can be helpful, but it is not necessarily a requirement.  Employers are now looking for people who can perform.  Sure, they look at educational background to sort through applicants, but now we are seeing that applicant with relevant work experience are getting interviews and job offers.  Education alone is not enough.  So what does this mean?  Has the higher education bubble finally popped?  One thing we know for sure: this recession has exposed the weaknesses in higher education, and for the first time, we are forced to take an honest look at the problem and consider ways that we might remedy it.