So this past Saturday I went to my line brother’s graduation. Now normally this would not be all that significant since all people who attend college should indeed make it a point to finish what they started. This day was a very grand occassion worthy of celebration. You ask why…well let me tell you why. My freshman year started in the fall of 1998. I crossed my fraternity in 2002 and graduated in May of 2003. Well this past Saturday one of my youngest line brothers who crossed in 2002 with me graduated. So he has been in school for about 6 years. Granted he was an engineering major but damn that is a long time to be in school. So needless to say we were all happy for him.
Now this event made me reminisce a little on that day back in May of 2003 as I sat and ignored the commencement speaker just waiting to walk across that stage and get a piece of paper stating that I had successfully completed all of the requirements for a Bachelors of Business Admin. degree. I had no job, I had no money, I had no plan, but I did have a student loan to pay off and I did have ambition. Which is like having heart but no athletic talent whatsoever.
Now we supposedly live in an advancing society in these United State of America. Computers have gone from taking up entire rooms all the way to sitting on your desk, cars can now be run on electricity as well as gas, the little thing calle the internet allows us to be connected at a moments notice to people all over the globe, etc. But why in the world have we not advanced in the area of education. True we have learned more in certain fields but what does school actually prepare you for? Throughout elementary, middle and high school I learned about science, math, english, some form of history and I do acknowledge the fact that all of these things form a foundation that all of us need, but what prepares you for the real world. Why are there not classes that teach smart money management, investing, how to write a resume, home buying, etc. Now I am sure that some schools out there somewhere may have courses that teach this sort of thing but why is it not a staple in public education? You go thorughout your educational career without knowing how to survive. Next thing you know, if you are lucky, you have a college degree but no survival skills. While in college I had to take 2 semesters of English, 2 semesters of History and two semesters of an “Elective” (i.e. art appreciation, music appreciation, etc.) but not one class on how to survive once you graduate was given. Why not make an investment course part of the core curriculum or money management or have a class that allows you to work in different companies or at the same company in different positions to get a feel for what you will be doing upon graduation? Maybe even a course that teaches you how to find a job and helps you to make a job a reality after graduation.
History, I love history by the way, is one of the mandatory core courses that most people could do without. Hell I venture to say that you have had your fill of history by the time you get to the 13th grade. Some of these mandatory core classes at these colleges and universities can and should be replaced. Because who wants to graduate from any institution of higher learning owing thousands of dollars only to graduate having to say NOW WHAT?