What is the "purpose" of higher education?

2018-03-13T18:19:27-04:00

According to a recent nationwide study, only 13% of college and university presidents believe that "Most Americans have an accurate view of the purpose of higher education." Interestingly enough, the survey didn't reveal what these administrators thought the purpose of higher education was. In your opinion, what is the purpose of higher education? Is it to train individuals for a career? Is it to help individuals grow personally and intellectually?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 13 at 2018 6:42 PM

2018-03-13T18:42:34-04:00

This is a helluva good question. Once upon a time, I thought I knew. I'm not so sure anymore. Our institutions of higher education have been perverted into indoctrination centers and I can't see any downside except that people who attend them come away with a complete lack of ability to think for themselves. They possess no common sense. Now, before you dismiss me as some old crackpot, let me assure you that I am. I've seen too much to avoid being old or a crackpot. I lived in Colorado at a time when the state considered allowing people who had studied law in a legal practice under the tutelage of a practicing lawyer, to take the bar exam and become licensed attorneys. The law schools made sure that went away. I've seen doctors fresh out of medical school who need nurses to teach them the ropes of practicing medicine. The truth is, that people learn professions by practicing them. That's why they're called medical practices and legal practices. Meanwhile, engineering students are taught engineering on the job. Their degrees seem to prepare them for that profession as practiced in another age, long ago, when their professors might have been engineers. Shall I go on? Naw. That's enough for now. In all my years, I hoped for much from college grads and learned to expect little. Hopefully they could read. Many couldn't. Better yet, read for understanding. That was really rare. Research. Debate. Cipher (you know, basic math) The scientific method? Good luck finding that. History? Civics? Not one iota.

Response by Sgt Trevor Barrett made Mar 13 at 2018 7:00 PM

2018-03-13T19:00:33-04:00

I think that it depends on what college you’re talking about. Not all universities are created equal. Some universities are more career focused where as other schools are less career focused and more research focused. Just look at placement rates and outcomes.... that tells a lot about a school. The school that I work at is one of the oldest co-oprerative Institutions in the country.... and as such it is more career focused.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2018 7:12 PM

2018-03-13T19:12:34-04:00

I never agreed with the terminology, "Higher Education", to me better said, "Advanced Knowledge." I'm the worst spelling person, but I can fix your computer.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 13 at 2018 8:25 PM

2018-03-13T20:25:48-04:00

I went to college because that was my parents expectation. It was humbling because it taught me that I knew jack shit about many subjects.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2018 9:01 PM

2018-03-13T21:01:07-04:00

I went to college for a very specific field. In my case, higher education was absolutely required to do what I do day in and day out. That being said, higher education is completely dependent on the field you’re in. Come are considered more beneficial than others towards said career field. The purpose of higher education is at the very least to train individuals for a specific place in life. Personally, intellectually, and generally. That’s not to say people without higher education have no purpose in life. Everyone has a purpose in life. Higher education acts as a catalyst in learning what yours is in my firm opinion.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2018 9:20 PM

2018-03-13T21:20:33-04:00

Depends on who you ask. The parents think the purpose of higher education is to ensure their kid has all the education needed to enjoy a successful and lucrative life. Ask the kids these days and they'll tell you it's a 4 year delay in having to face up to life ... maybe 5-6 if they have trouble finding their classrooms and get failed on absenteeism.

I read recently that some 50% of college entrants don't complete ... and out of the remaining 50%, only 50% or less complete in 4 years. The rest take 5-6. IMV, a large percentage of kids that go to college go with (1) no idea of what they want to come out as; (2) poor preparation in high school for college; (3) insufficient self-discipline to capitalize on their time in college or university. For those that emerge at the end of the tunnel with a college degree, many find that their degree isn't worth the paper it is printed on in terms of getting them a well-paying job.

I'd really like to hear the assessments of some of our veterans that are currently attending colleges and universities on their non-veteran classmates.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Mar 13 at 2018 9:23 PM

2018-03-13T21:23:12-04:00

Being a BA or MA is usually the key to get a job in a corporate setting. A PHD is normally of value, if seriously applied. The ability to research subjects and evaluate them is what separates them from other which results in advancing in a corporate structure. There are exceptions. I have hired all sorts of education levels, the PHD is the only one that was able to pass me up, on occasion. Most of them were arrogant self centered A-holes.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Mar 14 at 2018 3:16 AM

2018-03-14T03:16:30-04:00

Sometimes a BA or a Masters level is required for a job regardless of subject. Some degrees like an MBA may become a way to join an exclusive club (jobs). Education should lead to knowledge. But like anything in life, "we get out what we put it".

I met a CPT who said to me that she did not learn anything in her master's program... but she does not care and is only happy with the fact that she has a masters.

10 years from now when we have this conversation it will be very different because the way tech jobs are changing the skills needed versus education needed.

Response by SSG Alan Pelletier made Mar 14 at 2018 5:51 AM

2018-03-14T05:51:16-04:00

Your undergraduate degree teaches you, "what to think." You learn about Maslow, number trees, business basics, etc. The purpose of the Graduate degree is to teach you, "how to think." Here is where you learn to research and make conclusions with what you learned during your undergrad.

For instance, you learn a little bit about Maslow and his hierarchy of needs. In the graduate level your research load is heavy and you learn to make decisions based on your research about circumstances using what you already learned during your undergrad.

I do not have a PhD but from my understanding you PROVE you know how to think to a board who reviews your research. As for employment, it varies on how far in the economic sphere you wish to travel.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2018 9:48 AM

2018-03-14T09:48:50-04:00

I guess there's what it "should" be...and what it "is".

I'd like to think that earning a degree opens up more opportunities than without. I'd further like to believe that the effort, time and expense has its own intrinsic value in the job market. Unfortunately, like any other commodity, the more there is...the less it is valued.

Fifty years ago, having a degree wasn't the norm. If you had a bachelor's degree...it was a virtual "guarantee" of entre' to a certain expected income, lifestyle and professional development. A master's or doctorate even more so. Today however, the bachelor's degree is more on par with what a high school diploma used to be. It's pretty much the prerequisite for any gainful entry level employment outside of the Trades...and I won't waste time stating what everyone already knows about the challenges there.

The secret today I think, is to consider a trade off between personal freedom and personal opportunity. You certainly don't need an MBA to start a million dollar enterprise...but you do need talent, drive, ambition, and no small amount of luck. If someone chooses the route I've followed, they're taking no less risk really...mergers, acquisitions, and changing market indicators translate to the very real possibility of losing ten years of experience and salary at the stroke of a pen.

When my son begins to face these challenges, I hope he will see that it is sometimes better to have a "sure thing" at the expense of a lower initial starting point.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Mar 14 at 2018 4:33 PM

2018-03-14T16:33:02-04:00

The purpose of a classical liberal arts education is to cultivate the soul to appreciate the good, the true, and the beautiful.

Anything short of that is no longer higher education, proper, and instead becomes some form of indoctrination.

Western Civilization broadly, and American universities specifically, had become premier institutions that equipped young men and women with the critical thinking and tools needed to further a thriving society.

Then they replaced the pursuit of the good, true, and beautiful with postmodern identity studies, and we are left with answers along the lines of "to make money" or "get a career", in and of itself not "wrong", but certainly left wanting, hallow if you will.

Response by Capt David Bays made Mar 14 at 2018 6:09 PM

2018-03-14T18:09:49-04:00

It gives young men and women the opportunity to demonstrate to prospective employers that they are able to successfully complete their course of study, with presumably less supervision than in high school. And that helps the prospective employer determine whether the candidate will be a successful and productive employee, considering the quality of the school, grades, and course of study. It also helps identify those who the 4-6 years as an opportunity to have a good time...

Response by Sgt James Schmeling made Feb 1 at 2019 2:59 PM

2019-02-01T14:59:34-05:00

From the walls at my alma mater, Iowa State, MJ Riggs, ""We come to college not alone to prepare to make a living, but to learn to live a life." I think it encompasses all of these goals - career, self-knowledge, community contribution, building networks and friendships that last a lifetime, and more.

Response by Clayton Simpson made Oct 30 at 2019 3:27 PM

2019-10-30T15:27:07-04:00

One smart person told me that studying at school, college, the university is important not by the knowledge that we ourselves can read in a book or on the Internet, but by the fact that you learn to study. This skill is very useful for future life. You will understand what you want to study, what you can not waste time on, and so on. For example, I began to save a lot of time thanks to the writing service https://phdessay.com/ where professional writers help me and other students with many difficult written works. So, I understand that I need a higher education just for more life experience.

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Response by LTC Ken Connolly made Oct 30 at 2019 6:03 PM

2019-10-30T18:03:36-04:00

Figuring that since you are a 1LT, you more than likely graduated with at least a Baccalaureate Degree. So what has the degree afforded you?

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Oct 30 at 2019 10:11 PM

2019-10-30T22:11:28-04:00

The purpose of higher education is to get smart. But we are falling apart at the seams. Japan, Singapore, South Korea, China for example. I learned my trade from the bottom and worked my way up. Experience. Go to a community college. Take night classes like I did.

Response by TSgt Ken Vandevoort made Oct 31 at 2019 2:18 AM

2019-10-31T02:18:11-04:00

Sometimes I thought it was to put me in a higher class of unemployment.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Oct 31 at 2019 4:03 AM

2019-10-31T04:03:20-04:00

They are supposed to teach people "How-To Think", not what to think.
They are not supposed to indoctrinate.
They are not supposed to be easy.
They are not supposed to espouse rhetoric.
They are not supposed to be free, nor are to be beyond cost.
They are supposed to be (after you learn how to think) an enabler.

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Oct 31 at 2019 11:23 AM

2019-10-31T11:23:03-04:00

This is a good question. This is the only way I can answer this. My Step-Daughter went to the University of Houston in 2004, and graduated with a DOUBLE MAJOR in Sociology and Psychology. She is currently working for the State of Texas as a Social Worker, and is pursuing a Masters Degree through the University of Texas. As for myself, I started College when I was in the Army. Even though I didn't have an idea as to what degree I wanted to pursue, because the Army views College as educational improvement, I was acquiring more promotion points in addition to the correspondence courses I was also taking. Because of the college courses I was taking, I got promoted to Sergeant in 1994, and Staff Sergeant in 2000. Keep in mind that I did not get my Associated Degree until 2005, and I earned my Bachelor's Degree in 2014. Bottom line here, is that I was able to progress in rank, and later on retire from the military because I started college way back in 1992.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 31 at 2019 1:12 PM

2019-10-31T13:12:37-04:00

- Train for careers
- To attain a base of knowledge which you can build upon
- To help you live a good life
- To be exposed to lessons learned throughout history
- To learn critical thinking

Response by AB Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2020 4:01 PM

2020-07-24T16:01:25-04:00

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Response by John Taylor made Oct 2 at 2023 5:08 AM

2023-10-02T05:08:35-04:00

Thank you for sharing this!

Response by Caroll Bllein made Oct 2 at 2023 10:32 AM

2023-10-02T10:32:25-04:00

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Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Oct 2 at 2023 10:55 AM

2023-10-02T10:55:38-04:00

My Question Is Rather Simple. It's The Answer Which Is Tough.
When We Compare OUR Quality Of Education To Other Countries In Our World,
How Do We Stack Up?.....Information Is Available Throughout The Web;
But Here's A Short ~ "Not Well"....And As We've Heard, "Crap Flows Down Hill",
And We're At The Bottom Of The Totem Pole......

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/best-countries-education/

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Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2023 2:31 PM

2023-10-30T14:31:39-04:00

Higher education is something that prepares a person for "adult" life. When you study, you receive skills and knowledge in the field you're interested in. Also, during studies, you meet a lot of new people and make different connections. An education is not only about getting a diploma. It's about getting skills like communication, problem-solving, and so on. I'm a student now, yes, it's hard, but now we have the Internet, where we can find everything to succeed. I know a lot of educational resources and sites; for example, when it comes to writing, from time to time, I use this site https://edubirdie.com/examples/biotechnology/ where I can find some essay samples on topics, and they help me a lot. I always can find some ideas to finish my writing and not to miss the deadline. And it's also a skill - to be able to find something you need to avoid getting into trouble.

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Response by Sara Waller made Dec 7 at 2023 7:55 AM

2023-12-07T07:55:30-05:00

I think it's all individualized. For me personally, it's the prospect of getting a good job.

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2023-12-07T08:00:38-05:00

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Response by SSG Eric Blue made Dec 11 at 2023 8:00 PM

2023-12-11T20:00:13-05:00

In my own experience, higher education is for those of us who need extra help getting noticed in the various career fields of the real world. It isn't necessarily to train people for careers because a lot of us get that training and experience from other avenues. Military personnel often get the necessary training in their branchs of service. I've acquired nearly all of the experience I need for Community Health (my major) throughout my life prior to military service and then got more during my military career. The only two reasons I couldn't walk into any job dealing with public health are because I don't have my degree yet (class of 2025) and because I'm not white. Now before you get offended and jump down my throat, remember...THIS IS MY EXPERIENCE! Yours will probably vary.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2024 2:00 AM

2024-01-18T02:00:20-05:00

Seems now Higher education is more about learning several new gender and pronouns. Hogher education use to be preparing for a career.

Response by SGT James Nuckles made Jan 18 at 2024 7:32 AM

2024-01-18T07:32:27-05:00

Brainwashing

Response by SGT James Nuckles made Jan 18 at 2024 7:34 AM

2024-01-18T07:34:37-05:00

When a global thermal nuclear war happens and all the 0s and 1s storing your fake money in all those servers shuts down... How much you you believe that $100,000 piece of framed paper will help you?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 3 at 2024 8:38 PM

2024-03-03T20:38:49-05:00

Going to the Combined General Staff College made me a more knowledgeable soldier.