It's time to get educated, y'all.

I came across this article on Yahoo! today, which backs my theory that it is far too easy to obtain a college degree these days.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110118/ap_on_re_us/us_college_learning

The article refers to the "academically adrift" students of today, stating that nearly 45% of 2300 students who participated in the study showed "no significant improvement in the key measures of critical thinking, complex reasoning and writing by the end of their sophomore years."

Not only does the college experience provide "limited learning" for many, but also limited skills. There are many students and recent grads who are unable to articulate, unable to pick up a telephone and place a call without sounding like a train wreck (it's easier to hide behind email!), and unaware of how to carry themselves in professional settings. Their (or is it there? just kidding) writing skills are pathetic and heaven help if they have to *gasp* give a presentation.

Should colleges and universities be made responsible for producing a capable workforce? Or is it up to colleges and universities to weed out the students who do not demonstrate academic performance? Has it really become this easy to just coast through the system?


Am I a trader to my generation? Perhaps.

A few notes related to the post-college world of job hunting and career climbing...

1) A college degree will never, ever be worthless. The person holding the credential holds the key to success, or lack thereof.

2) It is completely necessary to conform. Don't like the rule about wearing a black suit to the first job interview? Get over it. Your mother is the only one who appreciates your "uniqueness." Everyone else expects you to fit in.

3) Having an entitlement attitude will get you nowhere fast. The world doesn't owe you crap -- college degree or not.

Whew. Thanks, Yahoo!, for afternoon provocation.