There was a time when British and American high school diplomas were de facto liberal arts degrees. Those lucky people, be they plumbers or poets, nurses or neurosurgeons, enjoyed an enriched life thanks to their liberal education. As the quip goes, we went from teaching Latin and Greek in high school to remedial English in college.
A wider point: Other, saner countries which didn't succumb to the voodoo of free-market fundamentalism kept open those multiple paths to status and to dignity. We sent everyone to college. I'd say the latter policy has caused most of our current angst.
In France, even the garbage collector enjoys a secure, well-paid job with benefits. I say 'even' because it sums up our cultural attitude. We like to look down on those jobs as unworthy. Why? They're essential jobs without which little else would function. We forgot that we all live together. There may be individuals, but there too is society.
(Excuse the essay, mate. You got me on my high horse!)
If my writing compels you to your high horse, I consider that a compliment!
To your last paragraph, there is no necessary job not worthy of our respect. It was amazing during the early times of Covid when our government identified workers who were "essential to maintain critical infrastructure and continue critical services." That should be eye-opening, but I'm not sure it has been. (I hate snobbery...)
It was fleeting. My mother is a care assistant and former nurse. She is important. I type sentences for a living.
Thank you. And it does compel! I think there's an essay there somewhere. (Back to regular publishing soon. I've been depleted of electrolytes. A fun time had by all...)
1. Your statement that the liberal arts portion of your education did not help with your jobs should be more deeply investigated. Just sayin’….
2. When I started at that same aluminum plant a mentor told me I would use very little of my formal education. He said the primary reason my education was valuable to the company was in that it demonstrated I have the tenacity to complete a demanding curriculum and do so with an above average GPA.
3. Your comments about figuring out how to fill much needed trade positions (taking editorial license - I know that was not the totality of your target), yes, yes, yes. Let’s get back to offering quality shop classes in HS. Let’s open good paths to internships. Industry is screaming for this. The government is deadlocked. Industry needs to step up and get this done. Prove we don’t need Uncle Sam’s bloated bureaucracies to solve all (any?) of our problems. It’s for industry’s own good.
1. I agree that the liberal arts improved my appreciation of life. I will concede to a deeper investigation, not more, regarding my jobs. It will be an interesting discussion...
2. There are other ways to demonstrate tenacity, and I think we both know people whose degree did no such thing.
3. Agree - wholeheartedly and unequivocally - that training in tradecraft deserves the attention of our industrial leaders. It has been a big mistake to let this be socialized.
To your second point, yes. There are other ways to demonstrate tenacity. But unless one coops with that company before interviewing, the company has few resources at hand to determine the person’s tenacity.
There was a time when British and American high school diplomas were de facto liberal arts degrees. Those lucky people, be they plumbers or poets, nurses or neurosurgeons, enjoyed an enriched life thanks to their liberal education. As the quip goes, we went from teaching Latin and Greek in high school to remedial English in college.
A wider point: Other, saner countries which didn't succumb to the voodoo of free-market fundamentalism kept open those multiple paths to status and to dignity. We sent everyone to college. I'd say the latter policy has caused most of our current angst.
In France, even the garbage collector enjoys a secure, well-paid job with benefits. I say 'even' because it sums up our cultural attitude. We like to look down on those jobs as unworthy. Why? They're essential jobs without which little else would function. We forgot that we all live together. There may be individuals, but there too is society.
(Excuse the essay, mate. You got me on my high horse!)
Mr. Gage:
If my writing compels you to your high horse, I consider that a compliment!
To your last paragraph, there is no necessary job not worthy of our respect. It was amazing during the early times of Covid when our government identified workers who were "essential to maintain critical infrastructure and continue critical services." That should be eye-opening, but I'm not sure it has been. (I hate snobbery...)
It was fleeting. My mother is a care assistant and former nurse. She is important. I type sentences for a living.
Thank you. And it does compel! I think there's an essay there somewhere. (Back to regular publishing soon. I've been depleted of electrolytes. A fun time had by all...)
We’ll said. Some comments:
1. Your statement that the liberal arts portion of your education did not help with your jobs should be more deeply investigated. Just sayin’….
2. When I started at that same aluminum plant a mentor told me I would use very little of my formal education. He said the primary reason my education was valuable to the company was in that it demonstrated I have the tenacity to complete a demanding curriculum and do so with an above average GPA.
3. Your comments about figuring out how to fill much needed trade positions (taking editorial license - I know that was not the totality of your target), yes, yes, yes. Let’s get back to offering quality shop classes in HS. Let’s open good paths to internships. Industry is screaming for this. The government is deadlocked. Industry needs to step up and get this done. Prove we don’t need Uncle Sam’s bloated bureaucracies to solve all (any?) of our problems. It’s for industry’s own good.
To your points:
1. I agree that the liberal arts improved my appreciation of life. I will concede to a deeper investigation, not more, regarding my jobs. It will be an interesting discussion...
2. There are other ways to demonstrate tenacity, and I think we both know people whose degree did no such thing.
3. Agree - wholeheartedly and unequivocally - that training in tradecraft deserves the attention of our industrial leaders. It has been a big mistake to let this be socialized.
Thanks for reading!
To your second point, yes. There are other ways to demonstrate tenacity. But unless one coops with that company before interviewing, the company has few resources at hand to determine the person’s tenacity.