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Young adults in the united states have always been asking themselves the same question over and over again. Is college the right thing to do? Should i go to school If my interests are only liberal arts and and other non STEM majors? In the articles “Colleges Prepare People for Life” (2013) by Freeman Hrabowski and “Are Too Many People Going to College” (2008) by Charles Murray; both authors are trying to figure this out. Both authors are centered around the same ideas, they both want the education system to continue with liberal arts, and they believe that liberal arts is a huge part in the success of a nation and a society. While both believe that liberal arts is a huge part of a society's success they also are both firm believers that
One of the evidence that I found worthy of consideration in Zinsser's text is that "In the late 1960s", "the typical question that I got from students was 'Why is there so much suffering in the world?' or "How can I make a contribution?' Today it's 'Do you think it would look better for getting into law school if I did a double major in history and political science, or just majored in one of them?" (Zinsser 197) This evidence shows that the views on college education is transient and can be changed. At the same time it gives us an idea of what kind of college education Zinsser favors. Real purpose of a college education should not be forced by career or parental influences but by personal choices especially by taking classes in the fields of liberal arts.
As students around the world have reached the end of their high school career all must choose to go into the work force or college for a higher education. As generations have progressed it seems now the only option for our youth is to get a college degree. Now it seems almost all jobs that pay at or above salary in the United States acquire some form of higher education. The articles The New Liberal Arts, College Prepares People for Life, and Hidden Intellectualism are only a few of many essays/articles that dive into the subject of college, and the impact it may or may not have on one’s future.
Over the past few years, people have begun to see going to college as a way to achieve the American Dream through career-readiness. People used to go to college, hoping to get a better well-rounded education. For most the well-rounded education, it usually came with the courses required for a liberal arts education. The courses would provide a level of analytical and in-depth understanding that would prepare the students for both life and whichever career path chosen. No matter the amount of money paid, parents would be willing to gi...
Are Too Many People Going to College? In “Are Too Many People Going to College,” Murray states that in order to ask that question, it requires us to first think of the importance of a liberal education. John Stuart Mill told students at the University of St. Andrews in 1867 “Universities are not intended to teach the knowledge required to fit men for some special mode of gaining their livelihood, their objective is not to make skillful lawyers, or physicians or engineers, but capable and cultivated human beings”. If this statement is true, then surely we should encourage people to go to college.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, some 20.5 million students are expected to attend American colleges and universities, constituting an increase of about 5.2 million since fall 2000. In addition to this increase of incoming college students, the constant question of “why” does as well. You have one side that says yes! They believe that college is the answer to America’s problems, while the other hand, says that college is not necessarily the answer. Although both of these sides seem to be on the opposite spectrum of everything; they both agree on a few common themes. One being that they both desire for America to be greater and that the quality of everyone 's lives to be the best they can possibly be.
The number of college graduates, in the U.S., is much smaller than what it can be. Some high school students think that it may not be worth it to go to college. In addition, other students think that college is the obvious choice of education after high school. Many questions will be asked during a student’s high school experience. Is it worth it? Will it affect my ability to get the job I want? If I choose to go to college will I be able to get into the school I want? The country needs more college educated students/adults to increase the knowledge of the country.
Both the authors believe that there is a great deal of external influence when students determine their academic route. Lieberman believes that media sources try to negate students from attending college by releasing pressuring stories about concerning unemployment rates that involve recent college graduates (1), and Bird contends that “adults … parents, employers, high school counselors … push, shove and cajole youngsters to ‘get an education’” (218). Nevertheless, Lieberman and Bird predominantly have starkly contrasting ideas about whether a college education is valuable or not. Simply put, Lieberman believes that college is a valuable investment while Bird believes college is not worthy
As a young girl in school, I always believed that I would one day would be successful and had the hope that a college education would assist me in being successful. I exceled in school even with circumstances such as hurricane Katrina and September 11 and had a thirst for knowledge. At the same time, the teachers that influenced me in life convinced me to attend college for the betterment of knowledge and a potential for a job or a career. However, those same teachers were teaching me textbook methods and no real on hand training that is essential in an education especially a college education. In "Vocation or Exploration? Pondering the Purpose of College”, Alina Tugend ponders the idea of college being either Vocation—job training— or Exploration learning. She starts off by referring to her oldest son is about to graduate high school, but quickly goes straight to the point of her essay with “What exactly is a university education for?” She provides answers such as college is a way to automatically receive a job if one majors in science, technology or a major that can be applied to a changing world that we live
The author Charles Murray says there are too many people going to college without really saying it. The essay is written in a way that his audience will understand by the time they finish reading that he has many valid points. He Persuades his readers with facts and counters arguments to false stereotypes involving college and success. By questioning whether college is for everyone makes "you" the reader want to rethink if your time spent in college was really worth it in the end.
Many americans tend to believe that in today's day and age, college students should study more “important” jobs such as politics, engineering, or farming and that these jobs offer a better career path than French or philosophy, however this is not the case. According to Ungar, “A 2009 survey for the Association of American Colleges and Universities actually found that more than three-quarters of our nation’s employers recommend that collegebound students pursue a ‘liberal education.’” (Ungar par. 7). This quote proves that achieving a liberal arts degree can actually be more beneficial to college
Tirelessly going from day to day wondering why you feeling so lost when you’ve thought you made the right decision since the day you decide to attend a university. Under the false impression that college is the next stepping stone after high school, many students and parents deem it best to get that degree. In the article Are Too Many People Going to College wrote by Charles Murray claim that “The problem begins with the message sent to young people that they should aspire to college no matter what”, thus diminishing the significant of an education. As we approach the present day and going on to the future, college majors is devalued over the span of time due to lack of job experience, course work not up to standard, and employer’s
One question that comes to mind when graduating high school is, “should I attend college?” For many graduates this question have a very obvious answer. A high school graduate may state that, “college is the best option if one is trying to get a higher level of education, and will help one compete for a higher paying job.” However, in my opinion most graduates do not consider the fact that going to college is a very big decision to make and that the schoolwork will not be easy. Going to college is not the best choice for every high school graduate because many students cannot handle college, colleges’ lower standards, and not all jobs require a college degree.
Students that graduate with degrees in one of the many fields available within this overall division are generally more than ready to enter the workfield and become successful professionals. With their exceptional critical thinking skills, outstanding communication abilities, and promising potentials, they are usually on the correct path for what they strive to reach in life as soon as they exit college. Students with degrees in the liberal arts tend to achieve great heights during their lifetimes by putting to use the valuable lessons and skills they learned throughout their college education. Liberal arts students liberate themselves, their thoughts, and their surroundings like no
Is a four-year degree all it 's cracked up to be? Are colleges still a relevant cornerstone of our society? Are vocational schools the future of education? In his college hit-piece "Are Too Many People Going to College?", author Charles Murray attempts to persuade the reader that in fact the current educational system is outdated and becoming obsolete, that colleges are becoming irrelevant to society, and that vocational schools offer a better value for most students. In his examples, Murray overlooks the great variants of interests held by individuals, and diminishes the benefits colleges have to offer students. Murray 's lack of consideration for the human experience aspect of higher education calls into question the validity of his assertions.
One degree that Sanford J. Ungar, author of “The New Liberal Arts,” believes is very influential is a liberal arts degree. Sanford states that, “a growing number of corporations are headed by people with liberal-arts degrees” (228). He also states that, “more than three-quarters of our nation’s employers recommend that collegebound students pursue a liberal education” (228). This exhibits Sanford’s belief that liberal arts degrees are very valuable to one’s career field. Not only are liberal arts degrees valuable in one career field, but they also allow graduates to pursue a number of careers without being stuck to one set career path. Although liberal arts degrees can be very beneficial to a college student’s future career, “A large proportion of people who are theoretically able to absorb a liberal education have no interest in doing so” (240), states Charles Murray. One reason for this is because a liberal education may not entail the specific skills that a student is looking to gain when pursuing a future career. Rather a liberal arts degree focuses on enabling the student to think outside of the box to recreate the world around