Editorial: The College Hoax/Scam
By Editor (09/11/08)
Edukaters have perpetuated a myth that people without a College or University degree are doomed to perpetual poverty. As a practical observation, average people that are willing to work and learn a needed skill make more money and are generally more satisfied with their career.
Malcolm Hedges just posted a related piece that renewed my interest in the subject: http://newsbyus.com/index.php/article/1506
Dennis Prager often addresses this subject in his columns and on his radio show. To loosely paraphrase: "...people that have spent some 16 to 18 years in school have no clue about economic or social reality".
Way back in the 1950's things were a bit different, since then things have seriously deteriorated.
I did pretty fair in Junior High and High School with very crappy grades at various points prior to that...
Since my parents essentially demanded I go to college, I took the "college prep" classes in Junior High and High School slipping in things I liked when possible.
With my arm twisted, I went to ASU for one semester and then dumped.
After some typical floundering around at various jobs, I had a choice to get drafted or join the military. I joined and hung around for some 9 years. Mostly good times and learned a whole bunch.
After the Army, I worked full time and went to a private business school nights for 2+ years. Great teachers and again learned some good stuff. Got an AA in Business.
Situations accelerated and after some several bounces I suddenly was a Electronics Test Engineer by direct promotion from Technician. I was by no means perfect and worked to get better as each day passed.
For some 5 years, I worked as a Test Engineer and all indications were that my work was well above average. I also trained QA Engineers on what they needed to do to better support production.
Then, I moved to the Socialist controlled East Coast and was informed that since I didn't have an Engineering degree I was just another Technician... So I became a Technician again...
After a year or so I fell into a position in an Aerospace company and once again was a Test Engineer (eventually Senior Test Engineer).
I worked with College EduKated "Test Engineers" that couldn't find the restrooms let alone do their jobs.
I continued to work as a Test Engineer until Jan 1992. I then escaped to an economy where I could survive. I had various positions until 2000, when I stopped fighting.
The point of all this rambling is that my career was not driven by some artificial "degree" but by some luck and much personal effort. I accidentally was born with an aptitude for being a "Test Engineer" (I had no clue) and somehow managed to find my way there.
Any artificial elitist system that stifles personal advancement deserves to be quashed!
I ain't no fossil at 65 and could provide some great service to an employer. I work some 8+ hours each day for nix and seem to get some appreciation for my efforts.
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