The idea of college and its value in life and the market place has come under great fire in the last few years. With soaring costs and heavy student debts, many are left wondering if a degree is worth it or at the very best, what kind of degree they should get. Many students are turning more and more to military universities, two year colleges and technical schools.
The state of Texas has launched a program that encourages students to invest in two year degrees or trade schools instead of the typical four years plans. With so many focusing on Ph.D’s and liberal arts, they are worried that they will see a decline in skilled labor. Not only that many question the value of a liberal arts degree in preparing students for the future.
“It’s not that we don’t need engineers and Ph.D.’s and research scientists,” explains Joe Arnold, a manager with B.A.S.F., a chemical company. “We do, but that’s not all we need. We need skilled craftsmen. We need operators.”
The idea is to create an educational environment that works closely with real industries to make sure students take classes that are applicable. They will also interact closely with industries to gain real world applications for the skills they are acquiring. The hope is that upon graduation they will be able to seamlessly transfer into the job market while filling the need for skilled craftsmen, operators and machinist. If you are, or have been, in the service then come to university degrees to continue your education today.
There exists a culture in our country that places a greater value on bachelor degrees then skilled labor. Mike Reeser, the Texas State Technical College System Chancellor explains, that we have, as he calls it “a misperception in the country that the worst bachelor’s degree is more valuable than the best associate’s degree. ”
It’s just not the case. The country has also gotten away from the idea that different people have different skills and talents. There has been a lot more emphasis on academic endeavors and less on practical manufacturing skills. It seems like such jobs are less prestigious even though they should not be.
The program has been a hit with many younger students who find themselves out of place in modern academia. Many wonder why exactly they have to take so many expensive classes when they have little idea what they are going to do with them. They see little real world application to what they are studying and want more.
The new initiative offers just that. Students go to technical oriented classes and then, often while in school, go to professional manufactures and companies and see how what they learned applies. The students enjoy it. They are learning and earning a degree and most importantly creating a viable future.
If you are, or have been, in the service then come to military education to continue your education today.
