Current Events – Planet Numeracy

Not too long ago, students had the choice of going the academic route or the trade skills route. If a student wasn't fond of the academic stuff, they could choose vo-tech. In vo-tech, students are taught in-demand trades like heating, plumbing, electric, welding, auto body, etc. This trade route was often seen as a back-up plan if you were weak academically. Back in 1983, A Nation at Risk compelled many erstwhile high schoolers to consider attending college. According to the data, those with college degrees earned much more than those with only a high school diploma. So college was ostensibly chosen to acquire hard-to-learn, in-demand skills. But then -- to attract tuition dollars -- colleges eventually began offering many useless majors like underwater basket-weaving. This was convenient for those who lacked the bandwidth to learn doctor, lawyer, and indian chief stuff. Unfortunately, these bogus matricula have led to a generation of disillusioned coffee baristas whining about loan forgiveness from the government. Although it is sad to have earned a degree and feel underemployed, the question looms... are you really underemployed? Or did you major in something that failed to provide any marketable skills? What did you go into $100K in debt for? I make a point of asking my coffee baristas what they studied in school. The nuttiest I have heard was lesbian dance theory. Seriously? That's a major? An expensive contingency plan for sure, but college is quickly becoming the back up for may students. Your little darling studied what? The other thing I'd point out is the unheard-of level of tolerance the parents of these students must have had to practice. "So Mrs. Parent, what is little Jimmy studying at university?" "Jimmy has decided to be a German folk dance specialist. There is a tremendous growing need in the European studies." How you could not chuckle (at least a little) about this parent's undying devotion is... well... laughable. When a parent fails to tell their little petunias that majoring in bologna is not a viable use of money, it's tantamount to abuse. So... If you're going to college, think about what skills are not only in-demand, but are hard to acquire. This choice includes many of the "blue-collar" jobs. I'm talking about welding, diesel mechanics, etc. They are hard-to-acquire and in demand.