Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Gap Year - Great Idea
I am not sure if the so-called 'Gap Year' makes more sense after high school or after college... or both, but I see the value in it. Article today in the Enquirer profiles several local high school students taking a year off to pursue personal goals and get a break from school. I think it's a wonderful idea, and though the article doesn't touch on it, I think there is a need for more students to choose things other than college. Perhaps it's social work, perhaps it's music. Maybe it's a trade.. (chef, carpentry or computer system administrator). There should be more options for kids who don't have an interest in english, calculus and physics. There shouldn't be such a stigma on kids who choose not to go to college. There are many careers in this world that have no need for a college degree, and so many life experiences you can get without going in debt $40,000.
I think it's a great idea to take some time off. I even think more jobs in the business world should offer sabbaticals or unpaid leave with benefits. Taking time off work to travel, volunteer or just relax could do wonders to recharge batteries and provide even more effective workers.
I think it's a great idea to take some time off. I even think more jobs in the business world should offer sabbaticals or unpaid leave with benefits. Taking time off work to travel, volunteer or just relax could do wonders to recharge batteries and provide even more effective workers.
Comments:
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C'mon, really? A gap year to have fun and explore things is all well and good. But encourage kids to not go to college? I have nothing against people who do not have a college degree, but the facts are that college graduates earn more and have more options over their life than those with just a high school diploma. Sure, there will always be people who will be spectacularly successful without a degree, but they are the exception, not the norm.
# posted by 
: 1:29 PM
: 1:29 PM
I think we should encourage kids who are good candidates and interested in going on to college to go. I think Joe is correct in that there are many who are not interested and clearly many who haven't a clue what they want to do who end up in college and leave owing a lot of money. What percentage do not last to a degree and still have a lot of debt? Also I think Joe is correct in that the stigma of not having a degree is way overblown. I know a lot of people who have great work experience far more important that college courses who are limited by companies saying only college degrees accepted. Of course I have believed that this is the PC way of profiling since most college degreed people walking in are white. And don't bother saying it is not so. I have worked with several companies and know that this is a major factor in the decision to set up this criteria.
# posted by : 2:52 PM
: 2:52 PM
So if kids don't know what they want to do, is the right course to tell them to just not get a college degree, or to help them figure it out? Again, the stats are there - it would be best for the kids if we help them figure out a good path, rather than telling them to not even try.
Re: the race question, there is no question that "most degreed people walking in are white". The right way to address that issue is not to cry racism, and not to pretend a college degree has no value, but to encourage more non-whites (such as myself) to actually go to college.
Lastly, I am all for the value of experience. One of my best friends has no college degree and worked her way up to the GM of a major business unit of a Fortune 500 company. Clearly, having only a GED didn't hold her back too much - yet she has insisted that every one of her kids go to college. Wonder why...
Re: the race question, there is no question that "most degreed people walking in are white". The right way to address that issue is not to cry racism, and not to pretend a college degree has no value, but to encourage more non-whites (such as myself) to actually go to college.
Lastly, I am all for the value of experience. One of my best friends has no college degree and worked her way up to the GM of a major business unit of a Fortune 500 company. Clearly, having only a GED didn't hold her back too much - yet she has insisted that every one of her kids go to college. Wonder why...
# posted by : 5:16 PM
: 5:16 PM
So if kids don't know what they want to do, is the right course to tell them to just not get a college degree, or to help them figure it out? Again, the stats are there - it would be best for the kids if we help them figure out a good path, rather than telling them to not even try.
Re: the race question, there is no question that "most degreed people walking in are white". The right way to address that issue is not to cry racism, and not to pretend a college degree has no value, but to encourage more non-whites (such as myself) to actually go to college.
Lastly, I am all for the value of experience. One of my best friends has no college degree and worked her way up to the GM of a major business unit of a Fortune 500 company. Clearly, having only a GED didn't hold her back too much - yet she has insisted that every one of her kids go to college. Wonder why...
Re: the race question, there is no question that "most degreed people walking in are white". The right way to address that issue is not to cry racism, and not to pretend a college degree has no value, but to encourage more non-whites (such as myself) to actually go to college.
Lastly, I am all for the value of experience. One of my best friends has no college degree and worked her way up to the GM of a major business unit of a Fortune 500 company. Clearly, having only a GED didn't hold her back too much - yet she has insisted that every one of her kids go to college. Wonder why...
# posted by : 5:16 PM
: 5:16 PM
Taking time off is fine. But don't be think these kids are "finding themselves." Unless by finding themselves, you mean hours of video games.
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