Update June 28th, 2012: Editor's Note: Larry Ellison of Oracle recently closed on the purchase of a majority ownership of land in Lanai, Maui, Hawaii (for those who've been on vacation), which was the catalyst for re-publishing this classic post which may still resonate . . . Like it or him or not, he is another M.I.A. (Missing in Action- didn't graduate or attend college who is among the notable and/or accomplished) - C.J. Westerberg)
Seven Reasons to Say 'No College' to Your Kids
Those of you who have been following The Daily Riff series, College M.I.A.s -- Missing in Action - showcasing notable and/or extremely successful talents who never attended or dropped out of college -- understand our point that college may not be for everyone for a variety of reasons (see previous M.I.A.s below). Makes one think about education in a different way, maybe?
Daily Finance features the "Seven Reasons to Say 'No College' to Your Kids" with a 3 minute interview video below with author David Altucher. Now be forewarned, his conclusions are drawn from a more linear cost/benefit analysis and essentially excluding the other benefits of college beyond economics. He does, however, also raise some great points such as the value of entrepreneurial and/or job experience, self-directed learning, travel and volunteering - which are critical whether one goes to college or not.
With that being said, Altucher is an extremist in his views about the value of college and isn't exactly an "endearing" presenter . . . you'll see what we mean (just see a few comments!). But, if college for you is about economics, you may want to think twice and we highly recommend this clip below. Otherwise, still do check it out - here are two of the seven reasons to get you started:
Daily Finance features the "Seven Reasons to Say 'No College' to Your Kids" with a 3 minute interview video below with author David Altucher. Now be forewarned, his conclusions are drawn from a more linear cost/benefit analysis and essentially excluding the other benefits of college beyond economics. He does, however, also raise some great points such as the value of entrepreneurial and/or job experience, self-directed learning, travel and volunteering - which are critical whether one goes to college or not.
"But in my view, the entire college degree industry is a scam,
a self-perpetuating Ponzi scheme that needs to stop right now."
- David Altucher
- David Altucher
With that being said, Altucher is an extremist in his views about the value of college and isn't exactly an "endearing" presenter . . . you'll see what we mean (just see a few comments!). But, if college for you is about economics, you may want to think twice and we highly recommend this clip below. Otherwise, still do check it out - here are two of the seven reasons to get you started:
If you missed our previous M.I.A. post #7, with link here, The New York Times featured the same topic with certainly less vitriol than the Altucher version, albeit with a very similar message: "The idea that four years of higher education will translate into a better job, higher earnings and a happier life - a refrain sure to be repeated this month at graduation ceremonies across the country - has been pounded into the heads of schoolchildren, parents and educators."" 1. More than 60% of people entering college take more than four years to graduate. So whatever you think your kids are going to cost you to go to college, add 20% to 100%.
2. The cost of the average college tuition has gone up nine-fold since 1976 versus seven-fold for health care and three-fold for inflation."
Not Everyone is College Material
The List: No College or College Dropout
The List: No College or College Dropout
See The List Grow: Those who dropped out or never entered . . . you may be surprised. Previous M.I.A.s featured by The Daily Riff:
Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle
Michael Dell, founder of Dell Computer
Barry Diller, founder of Fox and IAC Media
Rachel Ray, Food Network star and author
David Geffen, founder of Geffen Records and Dreamworks
Steve Wozniak (Co-founder Apple)
Anna Wintour (Editor-in-Chief Vogue)
Bob Pittman (Co-founder MTV)
Barbara Streisand
J.D. Salinger
Frank Lloyd Wright
Walter Cronkite
John D. Rockefeller
Coco Chanel
Ted Turner
Woody Allen
Peter Jennings
Bill Gates
Jack Nicholson
John Glenn
Steve Jobs
Madonna
President Harry S. Truman
Can you help us add to this list? What do you think?
(Ed. Note: This is not to disparage a college education. Point being with these posts is that not everyone is cut out for college for various reasons and should not necessarily be labeled as "not smart enough", as you can see from this list. Hopefully, we will be more open to different routes people take in their lives. Additionally, online learning opportunities may provide access to more people eliminating some of the constraints for furthering education (i.e. time, cost, pacing), including after college. Personally, I loved college and thought it was important academically among other things. Yet costs have reached a different level since the time I attended college, not increasing parallel with wage inflation, among other things.
High school? Now that is another subject - don't get me started on that one. . . -- C.J.)
Read full article here from Daily Finance.
This post is a Classic: Originally Posted-The Daily Riff May 2010
Related: Is Going to an Elite College Worth the Cost?
Is College Worth It?
VIDEO BELOW
Related articles from The Daily Riff:Pushing Back on Mediocre Professors
Cornell Professor Yells at Yawning Student
"Tom Friedman: Getting American Kids Excited About Innovation and Entrepreneurship Again", with link HERE
"The New Reality: Disconnected From School?", with link HERE.
|
Post a Comment
