Education
See other Education Articles
Title: Why Did 17 Million Students Go to College?
Source:
Chronicle
URL Source: http://chronicle.com/blogs/innovati ... n-students-go-to-college/27634
Published: Oct 22, 2010
Author: Richard Vedder
Post Date: 2012-01-10 10:46:20 by lucysmom
Keywords: None
Views: 6943
Comments: 16
Two sets of information were presented to me in the last 24 hours that have dramatically reinforced my feeling that diminishing returns have set in to investments in higher education, with increasing evidence suggesting that we are in one respect “overinvesting” in the field. First, following up on information provided by former student Douglas Himes at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), my sidekick Chris Matgouranis showed me the table reproduced below (And for more see this). Over 317,000 waiters and waitresses have college degrees (over 8,000 of them have doctoral or professional degrees), along with over 80,000 bartenders, and over 18,000 parking lot attendants. All told, some 17,000,000 Americans with college degrees are doing jobs that the BLS says require less than the skill levels associated with a bachelor’s degree. snip ...the growing disconnect between labor market realities and the propaganda of higher-education apologists is causing more and more people to graduate and take menial jobs or no job at all. This is even true at the doctoral and professional level—there are 5,057 janitors in the U.S. with Ph.D.’s, other doctorates, or professional degrees.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: lucysmom (#0)
(Edited)
Many college grads aren't qualified to mop floors or flip burgers. Some may argue that there’s no such thing as a useless degree – any education is a good education including many degrees from online schools and universities. However, these seemingly pointless studies may be an exception to that rule. Pay attention as we list the top 10 most useless college degrees. 10. David Beckham studies – Staffordshire University, UK It might sound like a joke, but the squeaky-voiced soccer star actually has a degree course dedicated to him. The course, which is technically classed as “Football Culture”, has been defended by its founder, who argues that degree courses must keep with the times. Celeb-style degrees can also be found in the US, with Madonna studies injected into the Gender course at Harvard (no less) and Oprah Winfrey studies at Illinois. 9. Parapsychology – various colleges This degree is perfect for starting a career with Ghostbusters. Oh wait, Ghostbusters are fictional – that’s four years wasted. Nevertheless, this course dedicated to the study of the paranormal (Slimer and haunted houses included) is popping up in universities and colleges worldwide. Coventry, Edinburgh, Northampton and Liverpool in the UK, plus Belford and Flamel in the US all offer the course, which makes you wonder if people are watching too many Most Haunted episodes. 8. Doctorate of Philosophy in Ufology – Melbourne University In August this year, Aussie Martin Plowman became the first student to become a real Dr Who after passing his studies of unidentified flying objects. After his major in culture and communications, he decided he wanted to do something a bit different, so he chose little green men. However, despite his new status, he remains open-minded about things: “When I meet someone who says they’ve seen something strange, that’s fair enough, because maybe they have. I don’t know what it is, though,” 7. The Phallus – Occidental College It’s difficult to get to grips with the exact nature of this course – if you’ll pardon the pun. It’s cited as studies “between the phallus and the penis, the meaning of the phallus, phallologocentrism, the lesbian phallus, the Jewish phallus, the Latino phallus, and the relation of the phallus and fetishism” but is actually a survey offered by this distinguished college’s department of critical theory and social justice. 6. Surfing Studies – Plymouth / Melbourne Gone are the days of dumb surfer dudes riding the waves without a care. Now, surfing means business. With Plymouth Uni in the UK offering a BSc (Hons) in Surf Science and Technology and Southern Cross University in Australia offering Surf and Sport Management, is seems the seaside slackers want to be taken seriously. What next? Wrestling degrees? 5. Philosophy – various colleges Philosophy, like sociology and psychology, is one of those degrees that people do when they’re not quite sure what vocation they want to follow . It’s a fun-time four years, open to stoners, egocentrics and those that love the sound of their own voice, who will finish the course even more confused at what they want to do in life and probably end up working at a convenience store. 4. Queer Musicology – UCLA Due to seemingly popular demand, the UCLA have actually combined queer theory – the study of gender, feminism and gayness – with the science of music, to produce a very open-minded course within their Herb Alpert School of Music. The LA Times reported that the course will introduce debates like: “the idea that if you’re gay, then music by gay composers such as Benjamin Britten will sound different to you than it would if you were straight.” 3. Star Trek – Georgetown University in Washington It’s a degree, Jim, but not as we know it. The Georgetown faculty of Philosophy argues that “Star Trek is very philosophical. What better way, then, to learn philosophy, than to watch Star Trek, read philosophy, and hash it all out in class?” The Trekkies have also landed at Indiana University, who curiously combine their Star Trek Studies with religion. If only there were more vacancies for professional dorks… 2. Golf Management – University of Birmingham / Florida Gulf Coast University Here’s another useless sport degree spreading through Universities across the world, but this one lands the number two position because it’s not even fun. There’s nothing much duller than playing golf apart from studying golf, so why these two Universities have offered courses covering the psychology of golf; equipment technology; financial performance and coach education, is a mystery. 1. Art History – various colleges What career would you ever get with a degree in art history? Maybe an art gallery curator, but how many of those does the world actually need? Most art history courses consist of a selection of well-to-do teenagers and arty-hippy types deliberating over the same Dali and Magritte paintings for four, even five years straight. It’s time to move on! Honorable Mentions: The Science of Harry Potter – Frostburg University Maryland’s Frostburg University provides this honors seminar, which is really a physics class that investigates the supposed magic of Harry Potter. Seems like an excuse to watch the Harry Potter movies. Learning from YouTube – Pitzer College California’s Pitzer College has added a class named, Learning from YouTube. TechCrunch reports that “the class consists of students watching YouTube videos and then discussing them. They also leave comments on the videos themselves.” by Katherine Watt
I disagree with the above statement.
Economics is a social phenomenon and in no way a “science”, no matter how desperately its high priests would like to have it believed otherwise. It is, instead, a branch of anthropology and the sooner that is recognized and accepted, the better off human-kind in general and the world of academic economics, in particular, shall be proximity1 We probably will see widespread civil disorder in the 1980s, as a direct result of our faltering economic system. Ron Paul
But it gave him another opportunity to cater to his baser nature by posting pictures of nude men and multiple pseudo phalluses.
"ROTFLMAO... Perfect! She longs... for someone to Teabag her. a man that squats on top of a women's face and lowers his genitals into her mouth during sex, known as "teabagging" She aches for it"... ~~~JWpegler. Head Tea Bagger and Tea Party supporter extraordinaire, explicitly expressing his fantasies in public about other posters.
Ah yes, you must be referencing #7. The Phallus – Occidental College. Something seemed familiar to me about that school, and then I remembered! That's the first college on the mainland Dear Leader attended. Now we know why he won't release his transcripts, he doesn't want us to know he majored in Penis Studies. But we already suspected as much, we already have a photo of Barry and his Occidental roommate.
You have a limited fantasy life. But we already suspected as much, we already have a photo of Barry and his Occidental roommate. Oh that picture that shows Obama and his friend leaning AWAY from each other in correct hetro-masculine style.
Economics is a social phenomenon and in no way a “science”, no matter how desperately its high priests would like to have it believed otherwise. It is, instead, a branch of anthropology and the sooner that is recognized and accepted, the better off human-kind in general and the world of academic economics, in particular, shall be proximity1 We probably will see widespread civil disorder in the 1980s, as a direct result of our faltering economic system. Ron Paul
I recall seeing something like this a year or so ago somewhere. I found that the premise is somewhat flawed in that it seems to assume a "permanency" to any job a person may take. The Summer prior to coming to NY, I worked for Yellow Freight unloading and jockeying trucks at their Lancaster, PA terminus. I left Lancaster that August and then worked for my dad's HS taking tickets at Football games until the end of September. At the time of so doing these jobs, I had an undergraduate degree and 6 semesters of graduate study. To say that X number of waitresses or a parking attendents have a degree and then maintain that number as fixed and thus an indictment of Higher education is a logical fallacy. Most of those so employed as such, will most likely not be so employed in a year. Or have done so as a second job. Many waitresses in my local restaurants are, in fact, also school teachers.
I'll believe that a corporation is a person 1 second after Texas executes one...
Did you ever shave that moustache or is it a more saleable way for you to offer up mouth pussy?
I'll believe that a corporation is a person 1 second after Texas executes one...
Philosophy and the Humanities are inconvenient to the Quays of the world. Too much free thinking and insight into the inter-connectivity of human efforts. Can't have that... And don't get me started on science...(it's a tool of the devil)...
I'll believe that a corporation is a person 1 second after Texas executes one...
I was thinking of a certain person who is in the habit of ridiculing janitors when I posted that article.
Economics is a social phenomenon and in no way a “science”, no matter how desperately its high priests would like to have it believed otherwise. It is, instead, a branch of anthropology and the sooner that is recognized and accepted, the better off human-kind in general and the world of academic economics, in particular, shall be proximity1 We probably will see widespread civil disorder in the 1980s, as a direct result of our faltering economic system. Ron Paul
and it all begins with questions - yikes!
Economics is a social phenomenon and in no way a “science”, no matter how desperately its high priests would like to have it believed otherwise. It is, instead, a branch of anthropology and the sooner that is recognized and accepted, the better off human-kind in general and the world of academic economics, in particular, shall be proximity1 We probably will see widespread civil disorder in the 1980s, as a direct result of our faltering economic system. Ron Paul
A recent college grad gets a job at a local factory. He reports to the foreman on his first day of work. Grad: What do you want me to do? Foreman thinks a moment: I want you to sweep the floor in Bay #3. Grad: But I have a college degree! Foreman: Well I'll show you how then.
Foreman: Well I'll show you how then. That's funny.
Economics is a social phenomenon and in no way a “science”, no matter how desperately its high priests would like to have it believed otherwise. It is, instead, a branch of anthropology and the sooner that is recognized and accepted, the better off human-kind in general and the world of academic economics, in particular, shall be proximity1 We probably will see widespread civil disorder in the 1980s, as a direct result of our faltering economic system. Ron Paul
HA...
I'll believe that a corporation is a person 1 second after Texas executes one...
My dad's first job after he was freed from the constraints of military service after WWII ended, was as a janitor. He also had a degree in structural engineering. Eric better watch out, a degree in engineering doesn't initially guarantee one a great job.
"ROTFLMAO... Perfect! She longs... for someone to Teabag her. a man that squats on top of a women's face and lowers his genitals into her mouth during sex, known as "teabagging" She aches for it"... ~~~JWpegler. Head Tea Bagger and Tea Party supporter extraordinaire, explicitly expressing his fantasies in public about other posters.
In the late 60s the federal government cut back funding for research - many PhDs ended up pumping gas as a result.
Economics is a social phenomenon and in no way a “science”, no matter how desperately its high priests would like to have it believed otherwise. It is, instead, a branch of anthropology and the sooner that is recognized and accepted, the better off human-kind in general and the world of academic economics, in particular, shall be proximity1 We probably will see widespread civil disorder in the 1980s, as a direct result of our faltering economic system. Ron Paul
Do you know where picture #7 was taken???? It reminds me of Cappadocia and Goreme, Turkey.......
Quiz of the Day: Who made the statement "The world would be a better place if only Men were to vote?????? HINT: It was a woman!!!
Top 10 Useless College Degrees & Classes
#2. To: Happy Quanzaa (#1)
Philosophy, like sociology and psychology, is one of those degrees that people do when they’re not quite sure what vocation they want to follow . It’s a fun-time four years, open to stoners, egocentrics and those that love the sound of their own voice, who will finish the course even more confused at what they want to do in life and probably end up working at a convenience store.
#3. To: lucysmom, Happy Quanzaa (#2)
(Edited)
disagree with the above statement.
#4. To: mininggold (#3)
posting pictures of nude men and multiple pseudo phalluses.
#5. To: Happy Quanzaa (#4)
Now we know why he won't release his transcripts, he doesn't want us to know he majored in Penis Studies.
#6. To: lucysmom (#0)
(Edited)
#7. To: Happy Quanzaa (#4)
#8. To: lucysmom (#2)
I disagree with the above statement.
#9. To: war (#6)
To say that X number of waitresses or a parking attendents have a degree and then maintain that number as fixed and thus an indictment of Higher education is a logical fallacy. Most of those so employed as such, will most likely not be so employed in a year. Or have done so as a second job. Many waitresses in my local restaurants are, in fact, also school teachers.
#10. To: war (#8)
Too much free thinking and insight into the inter-connectivity of human efforts.
#11. To: lucysmom (#9)
#12. To: Fred Mertz (#11)
Grad: But I have a college degree!
#13. To: Fred Mertz (#11)
#14. To: lucysmom (#9)
I was thinking of a certain person who is in the habit of ridiculing janitors when I posted that article.
#15. To: mininggold (#14)
Eric better watch out, a degree in engineering doesn't initially guarantee one a great job.
#16. To: Happy Quanzaa (#1)
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]