Quote:
Originally Posted by Hack&Lube
From this thread, I would summarize the main topic of debate is about the utility of modern universities and the value of the dollars and time we are putting into the tuition and education.
STEM and practical degrees have very real certifications and accreditations that empower careers from the get go. Liberal arts degrees do not afford young students the same vectors at all and contain subjects and achievements that can be learned on your own or for self-enrichment if you have the time and money to also take those courses as well. Historically those classical educations were also for the leisured classes who had the time and wealth to indulge in them.
If I was a parent, I'd say they would be better off spending their hard-earned tuition and time in their youth getting the STEM degree for the engineering background and then work on their portfolio as a passion project through much more affordable art classes and free study of art history and classical architecture on the internet, then parlay that into an architectural field.
At least they would be able to get an internship and a job to pay the bills while they worked on artistic passions - Or they could be an art student and work at Starbucks and get a personal internship with the anomie and depression they are also learning about in their sociology and psychology classes.
|
This I very much agree with, which is also why I think sending a kid to university right out of high school is a risky proposition. I also think it is why they should teach more of the humanities in middle and high school, so people have a better foundation in this regard. But I will say this, if all you care about is getting a job and maybe finding a career, then STEM is the way to go. If you're looking for a little bit more out of your education, and maybe developing skills that transcend specific job requirements, or possibly set you up for a more interesting career paths, then a classical education may be up your alley. You're likely to starve early on in your life, but it may be more rewarding long term. I would also suggest that if you do want to pursue a more classical education, to maybe do so a little later on in life. Complete the STEM to get yourself established, then consider going back to school for the more classical education, when you're looking at that first transition between careers. Again, education does not have to follow the same path for all people, and that includes time lines for educating oneself. An advanced degree can come later in life, and may be driven by an interest beyond your current vocation.