I am now lecturing at the University level and it has been an interesting experience thus far. I am 4 weeks in to an 8 week course. As the last week is simply the final I am over half way through. I definitely have some observations, but I will save them for subsequent posts.
Last week the Wall Street Journal had a cover article on more high school graduates forgoing college to join a trade. It highlighted several high school graduates who went into welding, an electrician and a construction site supervisor. It shared what they were making and how they were in a great place without student debt.
Over the past several years this topic has come up several times in conversations and I find it a little too simplistic. I clearly believe college is not for everyone, but I believe there is great value in a four year degree. A couple months ago I attended MN Tech Association’s Tech Talk where Ron Huesman from the University of MN shared his research on the value of a four year degree. The overall message was confirming to my viewpoint that in the long run a graduate with a bachelor is going to have much greater earnings potential than those who do not go to college - see picture attached.
Not revolutionary I know. If I had to think of a 4 box analysis on this topic I imagine on the vertical axis you have the benefits derived from a four year degree and the horizontal axis is split with those not attending and those attending a college institution (left / right respectively). The top right quadrant contains those who are in college, have the ability to graduate with a degree and will get the expected benefit. They are correctly aligned. Also correctly aligned are those in the bottom left quadrant who not in college and potentially would not get benefit from being there and are hopefully pursuing a trade.
This topic seems more relevant when thinking of the other 2 quadrants. The bottom right quadrant are those who are in college, but will not get the benefit of a degree. Right or wrong, I picture in my mind the greek life, partying, class skipping brat from an affluent family. More troubling I find is the top left quadrant. The young person who would derive the benefit of a four year degree but has been denied the opportunity. I picture less affluent members of society who cannot make college happen for not only economic reasons, but I imagine a whole host of other societal reasons. I do get the sense this situation is improving over time, but I could be wrong.
