When I was a college student in the late 1980s, I suggested hesitantly to my parents that perhaps I should change my major, away from natural resources, to something more practical. They had mortgage their farm to send me to college, after all. Might it not be best if I studied something that could turn into a real job later? I will never forget my dad pounding his fist on the arm of his chair. He wasn’t in great health by then, but he still had a lot of strength in his arms and hands. “You study what you love!” he cried. “that’s what college is for. It’s for learning. Don’t you dare do it just to get a job. That’s not what I’m paying for “ He was a passionate and often difficult man, and a treasure. He was raised in utter poverty, went to college on the GI bill, and held this beautiful, rugged idealism in him. I was incredibly fortunate.
Robyn, I'm not sure if "Liked" is the right symbol to use, but this post really resonated. I realize how fortunate my wife and I were to have liberal arts degrees, and how privileged we are today when we encouraged our kids to go to very good liberal arts schools and study what interested them. Our son, especially, thought about a more professional-related undergrad degree (albeit in music...so not exactly high finance!), and we discouraged that. He loved his liberal arts study at Brown where he got to scratch his urban studies itch, and is now - yes - on his second graduate-level program in music (he has a masters in performance and is now in a post-graduate opera program). Our daughter changed her major completely due to the wonderful psychology department at Pomona. Both are very happy, doing what they love, and - most importantly - really interesting people! I recognize that people who go to school just to "learn" are becoming unicorns, and I shudder to think about what that means for the world, but I'm glad there are some folks who still tilt at this windmill. DJB
Oh, I love stories like those about your kids. I do think there's more to life than making a lot of money. It's funny you should mention windmills, because I've been thinking exactly about the quixotic nature of the job!
In solidarity (in grief, anger, and uncertainty), both as a fellow product and champion of a liberal arts education/experience and as a fellow academic sociologist struggling to survive the winnowing, both professionally and personally.
I read this last week and have been thinking about it since. I'm reading more and more about the demographic changes that are affecting the future of everything from education to the economy. I feel so fortunate that I got a chance to have a liberal arts education even though the pressure to be "practical" was strong - I had a child and would need a "real job.
I ache for students who don't know what they are missing and ache even more for the ones who do know.
When I was a college student in the late 1980s, I suggested hesitantly to my parents that perhaps I should change my major, away from natural resources, to something more practical. They had mortgage their farm to send me to college, after all. Might it not be best if I studied something that could turn into a real job later? I will never forget my dad pounding his fist on the arm of his chair. He wasn’t in great health by then, but he still had a lot of strength in his arms and hands. “You study what you love!” he cried. “that’s what college is for. It’s for learning. Don’t you dare do it just to get a job. That’s not what I’m paying for “ He was a passionate and often difficult man, and a treasure. He was raised in utter poverty, went to college on the GI bill, and held this beautiful, rugged idealism in him. I was incredibly fortunate.
Oh, Ellen, I love your dad.
Wow! How fortunate you are.
Robyn, I'm not sure if "Liked" is the right symbol to use, but this post really resonated. I realize how fortunate my wife and I were to have liberal arts degrees, and how privileged we are today when we encouraged our kids to go to very good liberal arts schools and study what interested them. Our son, especially, thought about a more professional-related undergrad degree (albeit in music...so not exactly high finance!), and we discouraged that. He loved his liberal arts study at Brown where he got to scratch his urban studies itch, and is now - yes - on his second graduate-level program in music (he has a masters in performance and is now in a post-graduate opera program). Our daughter changed her major completely due to the wonderful psychology department at Pomona. Both are very happy, doing what they love, and - most importantly - really interesting people! I recognize that people who go to school just to "learn" are becoming unicorns, and I shudder to think about what that means for the world, but I'm glad there are some folks who still tilt at this windmill. DJB
Oh, I love stories like those about your kids. I do think there's more to life than making a lot of money. It's funny you should mention windmills, because I've been thinking exactly about the quixotic nature of the job!
In solidarity (in grief, anger, and uncertainty), both as a fellow product and champion of a liberal arts education/experience and as a fellow academic sociologist struggling to survive the winnowing, both professionally and personally.
My heart goes out to you, VM. Feels at times like the axe is hanging over all our heads, all the time.
Saddened by the read. Totally agree on the need for critical thinking at all stages of education.
Thanks, Sandy.
I am too burned out to write about my anger and grief. Thank you for writing this.
You're welcome. Yes, burned-out, too. Add it to the list.
I read this last week and have been thinking about it since. I'm reading more and more about the demographic changes that are affecting the future of everything from education to the economy. I feel so fortunate that I got a chance to have a liberal arts education even though the pressure to be "practical" was strong - I had a child and would need a "real job.
I ache for students who don't know what they are missing and ache even more for the ones who do know.
Me, too. Elizabeth. And I worry that this way of learning and thinking is something that's decreasingly valued across our culture.