> Quoting Paul Smith: > As a college professor, I probably shouldn't say things like this, but I > believe that a lot of people who currently attend 4-year colleges would > be far better served by other more technical/career-oriented programs, > or just simply getting a job. I also think that by not regularly > challenging the suggestion that having a 4-year degree somehow makes one > better than the person without one, we have contributed to our own > problem. 50 years ago people expected to make a good living with > essentially no education other than on-the-job training in a > manufacturing position - and many of those people earned a better > standard of living than I ever expect to see (and I do mean that they > _earned_ it). While those opportunities are rarer today, I really don't > believe that it's true that a college education is the sole gateway to > opportunity. And whether it is or not, the suggestion that it is leads > those "less-than-true" students to enroll in our colleges. It's not > really their fault.
I say it all the time to students: although I do preface it with your comment of "I probably shouldn't be telling you this..." Sometimes I have students who come into my office to discuss their futures; recently one came in and said, "You know, I really like psychology A LOT." (This IS a very good student in the traditional sense, by the way.) "BUT, I really like my business classes A LOT, what should I do?" I gently steered him towards a business major......I just felt that given the conversation as a whole, it was a better fit for him, but it's hard to say precisely why I thought so. Even as a non-clinician, I think we sometimes make these kinds of interpretive decisions that can have major impact on students' futures. It is very scary sometimes to have this power. I did encourage this student to speak to several people, by name, and not take my word for it. He is very interested in decision theory and I thought he might really like some of the courses in our business program taught by decisions theorists and should take those before making a final decision. But two things relate to the thread: (1) we do sometimes tell our students to leave or take another major (my favorite line I borrow from a tips posting many years ago, is if they want to help people, and want to make money doing so, to drop out and get their real estate license now, what are they waiting for?). If we are doing the job right this should happen. (2) not related to the thread I guess--that power is scary to me! Annette > > > Christopher D. Green wrote: > > Dear Gary, > > > > I think you thoughts about being a "real student" are essentially > > correct. I also think, however, that there are many non-intellectual > > factors that have led us into the situation we currently find ourselves, > > and that idealistic talk about "true students" isn't likely to change > > much at this point. These other factors include: 1) class size, 2) > > teaching support, and 3) administration support for teacher's decisions. > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph. D. Department of Psychology University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
