Too cool for school?

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by Platapus

I think you are wise to eschew a college education.

Who said anything about eschewing it? I'm just annoyed that I have to pay for it (and the good taxpayers have to pay for it) and then explain why I would pursue such a course of action, and then be graded on it. I already outlined my degree plan and wrote a very nice essay on why I should be admitted to Empire State. Why am I doing this again?

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

That was hilarious! I am interested to see what kind of response you get back this time!

I agree with your some of your points, though I have to note I haven't seen the original document or the full response to it by your professor, so context may be important.

Yes, universities "sell" higher learning - what you appear to be seeing is the mindset that knowledge is somehow different from anything else. If they argue they are not "selling" it - then I wonder why one must BUY books and class time.....

I'm glad you enjoyed it, CH. I just hope the professor enjoys it as well. I'm afraid she might get a bit touchy about the whole thing. As for context, I have the original assignment I submitted here should you wish to peruse it.

I have chosen to pursue a bachelor's degree in business because I want to be an astronaut when I grow up. No,wait... I want to be a doctor, or no, wait..... I want to be the President!

In all honesty, just like most people, I want a degree because I need one to convince people with lots of money to pay well for my services. Most decent-paying jobs that aren't unionized nowadays require a degree for an applicant to even be considered. The fact that I have over a decade of experience in customer service, small business management, and finance apparently doesn't mean much, but if you tack a degree in anything, even underwater basket-weaving, onto that list of qualifications; you've got an interview for a good job.

I'd like to say that my goals are nobler than that but they aren't. I have no grand vision for society. I have no real cause to pursue, at least not yet. At the moment I am simply concerned with securing a decent means of living which I can use as a springboard to whatever ends strike my fancy in the future.

I'd like to say that I have some grand plan for future happiness, but I don't. The best laid plans of mice and men and all that, you know. My "plan" is to take things as they come and make wise fiscal choices along the way. For that part, at least, I don't need a college degree. There are plenty of sound long-range investment opportunities in secure firms for the astute investor, even in this economy. The only thing I lack is the capital, which is why I need the job, which is why I need the degree. Barring some unprecedented economic catastrophe in the next 40 years a plan like that can lead a person to a very comfortable and even early retirement.

I was tempted to include "Professional Goals" as a covered topic, but I couldn't resist the temptation to answer the questions. I particularly like this one: "Where would you like to be professionally in five or ten years?"

Professionally I would like to be retired and living on a beautiful estate in Kentucky that doubles as a rescue for abused horses and maybe dogs. Actually, I'd like to be doing that now. Failing that, I'd like to be paid to ask students who are paying $3000 in tuition fees per semester why they are going to college.

At this point, I have to ask a question of my own: Does Empire State get an abundance of applicants who pay three grand per semester for no apparent reason or what? I understand the need students may have for course planning and whatnot but how many of them have ever answered the questions suggested in "writing tips" with "Oh, gee, I never really thought about it."

Honestly, what is this? Is this some kind of marketing or quality-control survey? If it is, I would appreciate it if Empire State would just come clean and say "Hey, students, we need your input so we can try to be a better school". If the Wizard of OZ is behind those curtains, I think it is high time he came out. I'm not (willingly) about to fork out thousands of dollars for an education only to be asked why I am doing it and then be graded on my response unless I am challenging such a methodology. If I wanted to spend tremendous sums of money to be questioned on my own viability as a candidate I'd run for political office or become a scientologist, thank you.

As with any purchase, I expect a decent return on my investment, and when I invest in education I expect to recieve an education. Granted, I have only a comparitively modest sum to invest in this venue, but I do expect a positive return. An institution that questions my motives does not fit that criteria. I don't go to Wal-Mart and buy laundry detergent so I can explain to the cashier why I am buying it.

If all this sounds a bit cynical it is because it is meant to sound that way. I really have no problem with explaining my motives to course planners who only want to help me realize my potential (assuming I have some). What I have a problem with is being required to do so. This educational institution is a for-profit business venture and I have paid for the service of being educated. As such, I expect an education that is cost-effective. I do not see how explaining why I need such an education as part of a cost-effective education.

In summation, I would like an A+ on this paper for pointing out the fallacies of this assignment and what is, at best, a Socratic method of teaching. I would also like the fact that I submitted this paper late to be overlooked, but I understand if that is not acceptable.

[August]

I would tell him that to be successful in his future career field he should practice the phrase: "Would you like to supersize your order?"

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by August

I would tell him that to be successful in his future career field he should practice the phrase: "Would you like to supersize your order?"

Yeah, that seems about right.

UnderseaLcpl, From the title of your thread, it appears that you do feel that you are "too cool for school". But really you are not. Ya might want to consider toning down the attitude a bit. You may think that you are "edgy" and "cool" but it comes off arrogant and annoying.

Just a suggestion.

I am sure that your buddies thought this was so funny and witty. But speaking as a person just finishing up his Doctorate after spending many years in many forms of academia, what you wrote was not funny nor especially witty. It was arrogant and insulting.

You asked for opinions. You have to make your own decisions and live with the consequences.

Good luck with it. And try not to get the end of day shift on the grill. Cleaning the grease traps is a yucky job.

[GoldenRivet]

well....

I'd pass you.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by Platapus

You may think that you are "edgy" and "cool" but it comes off arrogant and annoying.

That's what I was afraid of. It wasn't supposed to be edgy or cool or arrogant or annoying - I was just trying to have some fun with it, but I think I overplayed my hand.

Originally Posted by NeonSamurai

I would also add sarcastic and smarmy to the list.

Now that was how it supposed to sound.

Originally Posted by NeonSamurai

I have to ask lance, are you going for job training or an education?

Both. My degree is going to be in criminal law.

Originally Posted by NeonSamurai

I don't mean to insult you, or sound condescending, but that is my honest opinion in this case.

I'm not insulted at all. On the contrary, I'm grateful that everyone has been so honest about it.

As it turns out, the prof thought it was funny and actually counted the first thing I posted as my paper (minus 10 points for being late). Nonetheless, I'm going to be more careful about what I write in the future. I figure if you guys see it as sounding arrogant, annoying, or any of the other things it came off sounding like, I'm bound to run into a teacher who is similarly unamused, and who is likely to express their disapproval in my grade.

[TarJak]

Why not just say I don't want to flip burgers at [insert preferred burger chain here] for the rest of my working life?

From a critical standpoint it did come off a bit arrogant. I'd tone down the attitude a bit whilst remaining true to your convictions.

You are dead right when you say not all your teachers will understand or take the humour as it may be intended. There are times when a little deference can help you go a long way without compromising your integrity.

[NeonSamurai]

I have to ask lance, are you going for job training or an education?

Higher learning use to be all about gaining a very broad education in many things ranging from the arts and humanities, philosophy, science etc. and the people coming out were well educated in many things beyond just a profession. It taught people to think for themselves and appreciate the higher things in life. It is also what made University & College different from vocational schools.

Unfortunately this has changed over the decades, and universities have been dropping more academic courses in favor of career based courses. They are becoming more and more like vocational schools where people go solely to earn a piece of paper that lets them do a certain job. Critical thinking is being taught less and less and is producing people who can't reason their way out of a wet paper bag. They do not learn to appreciate the arts or humanities, or learn why philosophy is important. Their minds remain shallow and pliable. But of course this is what corporations want from most of their employees, people that can do the job and not think too deeply.

You have the opportunity to get both a career and an education at the same time, why would you not take it and let it broaden your horizons?


Anyhow as for the assignment, sure its stupid, and your going to get a lot of those. It isn't necessarily the fault of the professor, sometimes they are just young and inexperienced, other times its mandated by the faculty, or perhaps you just missed the real point behind it. The grading system in general is full of crap and all the professors know it. It generally doesn't test mastery of a new skill but rather the ability to absorb and regurgitate information on command, and then summarily dump it once that class is done. I would suggest just suck it up and do it, it's part of life in academia.

Anyhow I do have to agree with Platapus, both things you posted do come off as sound arrogant and insulting, I would also add sarcastic and smarmy to the list. I am surprised the professor actually responded in much length, guess she really likes teach (she ain't there for the money let me tell you). A couple of professors I know (including my step father) would have put you in your place but fast. I don't mean to insult you, or sound condescending, but that is my honest opinion in this case.

As for universities selling education, sure they do in a sense, they need warm bodies paying tuition or they would go bankrupt. But they usually are not for profit (trade schools you see advertised on tv usually are though). Running a university or college is incredibly expensive, and tuition fees don't come close to covering it, which is why they are so heavily subsidized by corporations, endowment funds, the government, etc.