[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

As a retired university professor, I would say that while you are close to right in saying that at some schools (including mine), [almost] anyone can get a degree, despite a lack of intelligence, people like that often get what they deserve—low level jobs suitable for their ability that may make much less money than does a good plumber or electrician. A college degree DOES NOT guarantee a good job or a high salary. Lots of college grads end up waiting tables and working on landscaping crews. One of my sons—smart, with mostly A grades—works in a warehouse. I’d say that kids who don’t know what they want to do with their lives should stay out of college until they do. And if they want to go to college just to get a diploma, ideally without learning anything, they don’t deserve to go to college.

Actually, I’d rather like to see a required military or service commitment of a couple years for both young men and women after they finish high school, as is done in Israel. When they get out, they are more likely to know what they do or don’t want to do with their lives.

Also, kids like that aren’t likely to do well in the trades, either. A lot of what people do in trades takes a lot of intelligence, analytical ability, math ability, reading ability.

Thanks. I agree that a college degree does not guarantee that you will get a good job. My career was in the Federal Government where more than 80 percent of the work is done by less than 20 percent of the employees. I knew a lot of really dumb people who made well over $100K only because they had a college degree. I think that is also true for a lot of smaller Governments and large organizations. I don't agree that young people who don't know what they want to do with their lives should stay out of college. At least they will get a degree that may be useful at some point in the future.