On another note, I took every college prep course I could get my hands on, when in high school. I went to Denver Univ. for one year and discovered that with my IQ of 131, it would turn my mind to complete mush. I quit school and went to work on the railroad, then 5 years out for God and country in the Air Force, then back to the railroad. I’ve had basically 2 careers in my life, both of which were relatively fun and lucrative at the same time. Neither required me to have a college degree, though I did work my way into management in both. The pressure that is put on kids to get that degree can be and is largely responsible for what is happening in our country today. Jobs have gone overseas that used to be done by “uneducated” (in college anyway) craftsmen. America has turned into a braintrust without a lot of substance and devoid of any “real” employment prospects with the exception of the “service” industries. I’m not pointing any fingers at anyone. I’m just saying that a lot of what America is today is the result of a lot of kids being pressured to overcome any and every hindrance to higher education, when some need to learn about the “Peter Principle!” Some are just flat not born for greatness, but must realize that greatness comes from doing a job well, and not quibble over the status one achieves along the way.

I have no problem with people following their passion. I stress that (to an extent) with my own children. I do believe, however, that schools, parents and teachers need to be very frank about the odds involved. There are many, many, many more young boys who want to be lead guitarists in a rock band than there are jobs making a living wage doing that. Some number of young men in High School right now will go on to be the next Eddie Van Halen and Jeff Beck, but 99.9999% of them will not get the job they dream of. If a boy chooses to follow that dream, go for it, and understand what you’re up against. Socio-economics matter too. My family did not have the means to fund “follow your passion” for me or my sister. I wish the University I went to had made their mission clear. I probably would have gone a different route.

As you may have noticed, I agree with Floyd that Universities should be lofty, ivory towers of higher learning. I just think there should be more truth in advertising, and they should stop pretending to be what they are not.

I’m very late, I know, but here’s my story.

When I started telling people I wanted to major in English History, they all asked me, “What are you going to do with that degree?” They made it quite clear that it wasn’t the kind of degree that markets itself.

The good thing is that I had already wanted to be a teacher for years before that, so at least I knew where I was going.

*****

Rufus, I find your post interesting because the last time I gave these issues any serious thought, I took a stance opposite yours. I was frustrated at all the students I had who were planning to major in Business Administration, Accouting, or even Nursing, because those degrees were better guarantees of jobs after uni. I wanted them to “follow their passions” and “be not afraid” and all those naive goals a young, untried teacher sets. Besides, it “worked” for me . . . but as I’ve explained above, I already knew what path I wanted to take, anyway. So my majoring in English was almost as practical as their majoring in Nursing.

In other news, I am grateful now (wasn’t so much then) to my theater-major brother who talked me out of following in his footsteps.