College Is a Waste of Time
October 31, 2008 by Cherie Burbach
Filed under Parenting
Well here’s a thought that’s been circulating lately: College might be a waste of time.
I’ve heard this here and there, and then read it again with this article. A few years ago I worked in the construction field and heard it a lot there as well. The thought was that some kids are just not suited to college, and traditional “trade” fields (such as construction, plumbing, electric) are going to quickly be at a shortage because kids aren’t encouraged to look at them as a viable career choice.
Before you throw darts at me, consider this thought. While I don’t believe that kids should be discouraged from going to college, I do think not everyone should be pushed into college if their desire and skillset clearly shows something else. For example, some people love working with their hands and not in an office. Some folks hate the thought of being tied to a desk and would rather work outside.
It should also be noted that some of these “trade” jobs that schools tend to look at as a second choice for kids, really do pay very well. Rather than spending four years paying for college, some of these kids could be earning a very decent wage under an apprenticeship. When they finish their four-year apprenticeship, they already have a decent job.
This line of thinking is a very radical change to that of the last few years, which tends to discourage kids from going into the trades. But I really do think some kids would be happier (and make more money) taking this career path. What do you think?
Sure, taking the career path is great… if you aspire to be a manager at a fast food restaurant or want to work that requires little to no thinking. Other than that, no it is not the wise or prudent choice.
No, you don’t need to go to an ivy league or most expensive college, but to get ahead in virtually any position, your resume is compared with those around you. And if those competing with you have a better educational background, then you lose.
There is this swing going on where education is being treated by some as “elitism” (mostly political) but, that really applies to the upper end schools (Harvard, Yale, etc).
This is the same sort of short-sightedness you discussed once before where kids should be “guided” towards a career at a very young age. Sure it may be easy for the parents to do this, but it is not in the best interest of the child.
Even “trade” fields can (and do) benefit from educated workers. There is nothing wrong with going into “the trade” but does that mean that you automatically have to be an uneducated, beer swilling, stereotype? You don’t have to be “chained to a desk” just because you went to college. Office of Emergency Management, Engineers, etc all work outdoors, some with their hands, others without. But you can be sure of one thing, the foreman, the manager, the one making the most money is the educated one, and not “just a worker”
Do you HAVE to go to college to succeed? No, of course not. But not having that degree, and the experience that goes with it, puts you at a clear and distinct disadvantage to others. It can be overcome, but will take more work, and a longer climb to get there than if you have the degree.
It’s interesting that you went right for the stereotype when it comes to the thought of skipping college. (Fast food, etc.)
What I’m talking about are the trades, and you are very much mistaken in thinking the forman or manager on a jobsite has a degree. They go for the best people, the ones that know how a building is put together, the ones with experience.
Project managers and engineers have degrees. That’s not what I’m talking about.
In trades like construction, an apprentice will make more than you or I right out of their four-year apprenticeship. Those people aren’t the “beer swilling” dolts you reference in your comment.
As far as “directing” kids towards a specific interest early on, I’m all for it if the kid actually HAS an area they are interested in. Too many kids are directed toward careers they don’t want (like the go-to-college and become a “manager” of something type you mention) when really their passion is never acknowledged. That’s why so many people decide to make huge career changes later in life and why so many people currently hate their jobs today.
My point is, why look at one choice (college only) when in fact there are many choices.
At our college fair, there was a table for a pipe-fitters organization. They pay for the training and the apprenticeship plus help them to get certified. While it’s not college, to me it was a great way to get a kid to look at an alternative education and a great paying trade.
Hi Cherie:
I sure hope you are right. My son is a senior and has no interest in college. In fact he wants to get out of high school ASAP. He does want to learn to go to a trade school and learn to work on cars. We are crossing out fingers it works for him.
dh: That’s excellent! That’s exactly what I was talking about. I agree with you, a great paying trade is nothing to sneeze at.
Linsey: I’m not sure what mechanics get these days, but it is good that he has a passion for something. Like I said, kids shouldn’t be discouraged from going to college, but if they clearly want to do something else it isn’t always a bad thing.
I wish you and your son the best!
You are right that they may make more “right out of the box” than a college educated student, as that student then still needs to learn the ropes and begin their career.
However, when that apprentice decides that they are tired of swinging a hammer and want to move up, their choices will be limited.
There is no dishonor in a manual labor career, but to suggest that college is a “waste of time” is really sad and short sighted.
Actually I think anyone that says this about a career in the trades:
“if you aspire to be a manager at a fast food restaurant or want to work that requires little to no thinking”
is the short-sighted one. Trade work is not fast food. It also requires intelligent people to perform. (Which is also why it can pay very well.) It is certainly more than “swinging a hammer.” (Again, your use of stereotypes says quite a lot.)
You can go on thinking that going into a trade rather than college might mean you become “an uneducated, beer swilling, stereotype” but for some people this is a great choice of work. They build things, create things. They don’t sit around with a degree and look down their nose at others or resort to name calling or stereotypes. The point of the post is, college may not be for everyone, but there are still great career choices out there.