I wish I had been wiser when I was young. I thought very much in black and white, true and false, path and goal. Now that I'm older I've learned a few things that I hope I can pass on to my children.
Smart People Graduate from University
While you may not agree with me I believe that is a true statement. If you are dimwitted or have poor work ethic you are unlikely to be able to persevere through the demands of University. In general only hardworking and intelligent people can endure until they get their degree. Of that small group of people only the best can go on to get their Masters or PhD degree.
However, a much younger me didn't understand that its the smart people who graduate from university that doesn't mean that smart people should go to university. The idea that was presented to me by my parents, teachers, and society in general was "Smart students go to University, get a good job, and succeed in life".
In theory that sounds like a great statement and for some people it might be true, however, there are no guarantees in life. There is no "one right path" that fits everyone. For many students, university life is a pathway to financial ruin and disappointment.
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My pathway at University
What path should I choose?
As I was an excellent student in high school I got a number of scholarships and universal praise from teachers and parents to go to University. I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life as I was very young so I did what many students do : What degree gets me the most money, the most prestige, and (ahem) the best chance at finding a good spouse?
Answer: Doctor
A couple of years in I had a reality check. My grades were very good but I looked at the entry statistics for UBC School of Medicine. 4000 applicants who all had A- (3.7) GPA or higher. There were 200 students accepted annually. 200 of 4000 stellar students got into medical school with the rest having very limited options to show for their 4 years of pre-med studies. I was on a path with a 95% disaster rate and 5% chance of "making it".
Another look at my future prospects and I rethought my decision to be a Doctor and decided Pharmacist. The job prospects were excellent. The degree took less time. I still got to help people and I loved both Biology and Chemistry. 25 Years ago (almost) I finished 6 years of University and have been a Pharmacist ever since. The job has allowed me to get ahead financially. My job has allowed me to spend time with and provide for my wife and family. In short, it has been a profession that has provided my identity in society and finances to thrive. Going to University worked well for me...but was it a good decision?
Second Guessing the past
Looking back on my career I don't believe I've been a bad Pharmacist but the career certainly has been difficult for me. I hate dealing with people/public and I hate using the phone. Both are things that I do every minute of every day at work. I hate doing things where a lot of it is a "judgement call" as I like things which are black and white.
When I was in University I thought very hard about continuing on to Graduate school. Masters degree / PhD degree. My grades were excellent and I probably would have really enjoyed research far more than community work. However, I was far too broke to afford the additional schooling. By the time I had money to go back to university I had a family to support and no time to go back to university. Now as I am looking at retirement I just don't have the desire to go back as there are far more intersting things to pursue.
Should I have gone to University?
When I look back at those days I often think I should have pursued a job as a butcher. Being a butcher was a skill I would have learned "on the job". I was actually offered a job as an apprentice to a butcher when I was 18 yrs old right out of high school. The pay wasn't bad. The skill was useful. I wouldn't have had to deal with the public direction. The cuts are either right or wrong. I had the intelligence and academic skill to do well in university but did I have the personality and drive? Would I have been happier if I chose a path less suited to my intellect and more suited to my personality?
I will never know as that isn't the path that I chose.
Looking to my parents
Now othat I'm a father myself I look a bit to my father and my father in law. My father in law is very bright but only has a grade 6 education. He has worked hard in his life and has achieved a good life for himself, his wife, and his family. His statement that "A tradesman may make more money, but a hardworking farmer never goes hungry" sums up his viewpoint. He is an intelligent and wise man even if poorly educated.
My father was one of the top students in his school. He had every opportunity for higher education. However he scoffed at the idea of all those years studying books. He left the city and travelled far away to follow his dream to become a cowboy and rancher. He also became a truck driver but that's another story. The short version is this: He could have gotten higher education but followed his dream, succeeded, and lived an enviable life.
Two excellent examples that education is valuable but certainly not the only path to success. Depending on your definition of success of course.
How do I guide my sons?
Now I have two sons who are of University age. My wife is Filipino and her background is hardwired to "get a university degree". She is a nurse and every fiber of her being tells her to direct her children to university.
But she has started to rethink that.
I told both of my sons: Find a job you enjoy doing that pays enough to support yourself and your family where you can smile at the man you have become when you look in the mirror. Don't fall for money...money can't buy happiness. Don't fall for power or prestige...it will always be a fight to be better and always a challenge from others trying to outdo you. Follow a path that suits who you are and that will be personally fulfilling. Provided it pays the bills
My older son thought hard about what he wanted to do. He finally decided on becoming an electrician. His course is MUCH shorter than the one I took and his wage will be virtually identical to mine in half the time! He is excellent with his hands. He doesn't like dealing with customers. He doesn't mind getting dirty. It is an excellent choice for him and I'm proud of him for taking that route.
I talked to my younger son about following in his brothers footsteps. His brother can help him get into the course, help him get a job, and in short time he could be making very good money. However, he has decided he really wants to become a Doctor. I have seriously tried to talk him out of it. Being a Doctor means a huge commitment to education. It means that his life will never be his own once he starts his medical practice. There will be insane pressure to get into Medical school and a huge change he won't get into the program. Yes, my younger son is very bright. Yes, he works very hard. Yes, he has the skills to succeed in the profession. However, it is a HUGE commitment for someone who is only 18 to make!
He knows how hard it is to get into our provinces Medical Program (still only 5% acceptance rate) and he is thinking about studying elsewhere. However, studying in the Carribean means HUGE expenses for education. Studying in the USA means CRUSHING debt when you get out. He's a dual citizen (Canadian and Filipino) so studying the Philippines is an option but while schoolwork would be in English when he deals with patients it would be in Tagalog (or Ilokano or Itawis) depending on where he does his practicum. I halfway considered asking @jjmusa2004 about studying in Nigeria as tuition and dorm fees are a small fraction of the cost of studying in Canada. Then I thought about how mad Dr. Musa would be about training a foreigner only to have him abandon the community that trained him after graduation. I just shook my head and thought Nope...that's a bad, bad idea.
University is both good and bad
At the end of the day a university education is both a great idea and a terrible idea at the same time.
Studying can be the pathway to a lucrative career!
- But lucrative doesn't mean you will enjoy it!
Studying can help you learn about things you truly enjoy
- But those skills may not be marketable
Going to university is expensive!
- university is a business first and for your benefit second.
- it can be a pathway to financial ruin
Education can be a pathway to prestige and renown
- Being the best in your field can be a great feeling
- But there will still be ignorant people who don't believe a word you say.
At the end of the day it depends on the path a person choses for themself.
IF a person loves something education can help them perfect their knowledge
IF a person is well suited for a job then education can deveop their skills to pursue it.
IF a person is chasing money or prestige education can help them find it BUT no guarantees it will be fulfilling.
IF a person is hoping to "find themselves" or kill time studying when they don't know what they want to do. University is an expensive way to stay occupied while you find yourself
Personally I think the system if flawed
I staunchly believe in higher education and advanced learning. Without the best and brightest being able to learn, research and grow then society doesn't grow over time. Giving the best and brightest the opportunity to that is essential for society over time.
Universities CAN do that. However, in many cases the classes are filled with uninterested professors teaching bored students. Both the students and teachers are there for the money. Teachers for their pay and students for their future job.
I wish that jobs like nurse, doctor, lawyer, and such were apprenticeship positions. Start at the bottom in a hospital (law office, etc) and if you have talent and enjoy the job then apprentice to become more skilled. If you are skilled and need more training then be sponsored to go to University to perfect your skills. Far better than apply and pray!
If you are truly talented then why not allow the best to be paid for by the government (or corporations) to research in peace knowing that their "job" is research and furthering the human condition.
In the end though it all comes down to money.
Universities want to get it from students.
Students want to earn it through the degrees they get.
...happiness and job satisfaction suffer from the chase.
Then again, as flawed as the system may be, for those who truly seek to learn and develop their skills, there is no better place than a university. The arts program may not directly lead to a job, but it offers an opportunity to study with the best in the field. The history program may not guarantee a career, but it provides a rich environment to engage with professors and fellow students who share your interests. Programs in medicine, engineering, law, and others present challenges like no other, but for those who succeed, the sense of achievement and the realization that hard work and ambition have paid off can be immensely satisfying.
However, it's crucial to enter with clarity. The wrong desires, expectations, motivations, or skillset can lead to disappointing outcomes. But when armed with passion and perseverance, the journey through university can lead to beautiful results...hopefully :)