Recently I was asked by a soon to be college student in my family what I thought about a certain online college which offered courses in AutoCAD drafting which she was interested in taking. Her dilemma was between taking a more traditional course of study in literature, philosophy, and other courses that she wasn’t particularly interested in, or taking online courses of a more technical and career specific nature.
I thought that the question was particularly pertinent, and it boils down to the difference between intellectual students, and career focused students. Rather than pursuing the course of study that best pleases whatever intellectual whim they may be interested in, career focused students make a calculated decision pairing their innate skills with what the economy will demand far into the future. I personally think this is the better choice.
Subordinating one’s intellectual interests for more specific job training is something to be admired, and indeed is a more classical and practical approach to education. No less a figure than Meriwether Lewis left his formal education at age 18 in order to instead learn how to manage his family farm. While his Latin may have suffered, he learned at an early age the management skills he would need to be a successful explorer.
Similarly, students of today can get ahead on their careers by studying technical and professional subjects that don’t have a lot to do with philosophy, but will provide skills which are in high demand in our technological economy. HVAC technology, aircraft maintenance, construction management, and CAD are some of the areas of study in which economists are predicting strong growth for the next twenty years.
Students who prepare themselves with formal education in high demand occupations will be insulated from the uncertainty that can come with shifts in the job market. Each student has to make this choice about what to study on their own. While a traditional liberal arts education may be right for some, it is a good bet that the more strategic approach towards career focused education will be a better choice in the long run.
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