02-06-2011, 08:32 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-06-2011, 08:37 AM by Albert Hidel.)
(02-05-2011, 11:59 AM)Richard Kimble Wrote: This says differently,
http://www.counseling.org/Enews/122110/#Study
Good post, Richard. I'm glad the admins ignored your request for self-flagellation. This may be the only higher ed discussion board where somebody rebuts a study with a study instead of ad hominem invective and recitation of socialist doggerel.
Unfortunately, the study referenced in the article you cited was sponsored by the leftist ACE, described here as "promoting socialism."
They summarize the study but don't link to it here. From what they do show it looks like they only polled grads from 20 colleges. It would be interesting to know if they polled grads from top rung, bottom rung, private, public, for-profit, or what. Similarly, no break down as to two or four year degrees, subject, academic or vocational, or if they are employed in their field of study. I suspect that like most things the answers vary depending on who you ax and how you ax them.
And even with a stacked deck they only got 62% agreeing that colleges prepared students for work. The study cited in the original post says that half the job openings filled by workers with post-secondary education will go to people with an associate’s degree or occupational certificates. Many of these will be in “middle-skill” occupations that pay more than many of the jobs held by those with a bachelor’s degree.
Likewise, it appears they only polled recent grads. That's kind of like polling recently unemployed and asking if they expect to find a job in six months. Ask them all again in about seven months and see if you get the same answers. I suspect they didn't ask any of the waiters and 7-11 clerks with advanced degrees how that college education was working out.
