As a high school dropout, I later returned back to school and acquired my G.E.D. , and from there, I attended, El Centro Community College, right downtown, in Dallas, Texas.  I  started El Centro in January of 1978, and I graduated in May of 1980, with an Associate in Arts and Sciences Degree.  To make a long story short, by the time I had reach the age of  31, I had acquired a  Bachelor’s Degree, two Masters Degrees, and a Ph.D . I was always told that education, was the key to success, and in many cases I have found that to be true.  However, I sometimes wonder, if college degrees are overrated.  Yes, I am very much aware of the systematic research, which shows that over a lifetime, that a person with a college education, will earn more money than someone with only a high school diploma or less.  I am also aware of the  fact, that the  average American citizen, will only be able to experience the “American Dream”, if  he or she has acquired some type of  training above high school.  I would like to hypothesize that a college education in itself, is not overrated, but the traditional degree is. Too many students are constantly taking courses at colleges and universities, that they will probably never use.  Therefore, acquiring a college degree, is a prolonged, and hazing process. Quite, naturally, some will argue, that the different types of courses that a student must take, will make him or her, a well rounded, individual, and, this is the objective of college and university core curriculums.  However, I think that college and univeristy curriculums, are designed to get money out of students, and prolong their education by having them, take a great deal of courses, that they will probably never use. Why? It is about the money, more than it is about the education itself.  This can truly be seen with the increased amount of institutions of higher education, offering online classes. A pure online education is dangerous, because, the professor, does not know who is on the side of the computer, doing the work.  Also, a person who does all of his or her work, online, misses the classroom experience, of visible social interaction among other students.  An individual such not be allowed to get his or her education, purely online, because one does not know if the person is actually doing the work . However, colleges and universities, make big money with online classes, and they could really care or less, who is on the other side of the computer.   Now, I am not saying that an online education is all bad, but, what I am saying is that, one should not be allowed to acquire his or her education purely online. I am also aware of the fact, that many people would not have an education today in our society, if it were not for online courses, but, acquiring knowledge is only one aspect of an educational experience. Other aspects include, interpersonal communication, and social interaction, with other human beings face to face, and, not hiding  behind some computer.  Many people have lost their jobs or careers, not because they could not perform the tasks on the job within itself, but, because they could not get along with others.  They had very poor interpersonal communication, and social interaction skills.  Nevertheless, as I stated earlier, a college education within itself, is not overrated, but the degree or degrees that many of us hold, are.  What I mean by this is, when one is acquiring knowledge in any aspects of life, it valuable, because, we all know that knowledge is power.  Therefore, when one goes to college, and obtains a great deal of information, the knowledge obtained, transcends merely going out and finding a job after graduation, so, any type of valuable knowledge or information, is never overrated.  However, if one goes to college, and thinks that when he or she graduates, that the degree is going to work, some great signs and wonders, he or she, is going to be in for a rule awakening.  College graduates,  fall into three categories

    (a) some will obtain jobs in their chosen field of study.

    (b) some will have to work in other areas, until they can find jobs in their chosen careers.

    (c) others, will attend Graduate or Professional School.

The point that I am making here, is that, getting a degree does not necessarily mean that one will be guaranteed a job in his or her chosen field.  I have seen many college graduates frustrated, because they could not find jobs in their areas of expertise. Some even believe that, going to college was a waste of time, especially those who had to takeout a great deal of loans in order to attend.  I also think that college graduates are sometimes undermined by our political system.  How?  When individuals, work hard to attend college, and, go through the struggle of obtaining a degree, and they turn around, and see the government, give Jane Doe, all types of federal aid and assistance for her and her kids, which she had out of wedlock, the government is rewarding Jane Doe, for negative behavior, and, the poor college graduate, can’t get anything from the system.  This in one example of how, the political system undermines, the college graduate’s positive behavior.  I could give many more examples, but, I will pause right here by emphasizing, that a college education, is wonderful to obtain, but do not expect the degree or degrees, to be like a magic box, that will work great signs and wonders.

    The Bowtie Professor Speaks!

Leave a Reply