Quote:
Originally Posted by nmap
In my own case, I got an engineering degree, and subsequently a civil service job as a mechanical engineer. In the 3 1/2 years I was in the job, I never used any of the engineering material I had learned. Not once. Not a single heat transfer problem. No calculus. No modern physics. So...was my education really necessary to fulfill the job requirements? I wonder.
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I took Richards route originally (younger age / different era) (Richard is a youn’un
), but when Sputnik went up, I ended up with an AS (Junior College) right out of high school. Then went into the Service. After some military time, back to school. What a shock, society had changed. I was the old man, and everywhere on campus discussions were political,
end the war, burn your draft card, etc. etc.. I shut my mouth, stayed drunk on weekends, and ended up, with Graduate degrees in Engineering, but like nmap, NEVER used any of my education in several career paths after school. My chosen education was not necessary.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nmap
Rhetorical question: What do we want when we ask for education? Preparation for a job? Introduction to some of the key concepts of our culture and civilization? Learning how to function as a self-directed learner? A little of each? All of the above - or none? (By the way, it appears no one has found a universally satisfactory answer so far.)
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From a military perspective, it looks as if they are coming to terms with specific education facilities for “specialties”. I understand that The College of International Security Affairs, The Industrial College of the Armed Forces, The Information Resources Management College, The National Defense Intelligence College, the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) are now providing the specific education “missing” from the generalist / engineering education of the past.
SnT