Read the following link:
http://world.time.com/2012/10/04/who-needs-college-the-swiss-opt-for-vocational-school/
This is a new blog posting on a similar topic as I had to delete the previous post for this week due to a link that was not working.
Please read the article and make your own response to it - whatever comes to mind for your discussion pertaining to this topic. Should we think seriously about this in the USA? In this case, do not use secondary sources. Just refer to this article and your personal response.
In terms of education, I believe that each person is intended for a separate path. A variety of different learning methods and abilities pertain to different people. Some students are well adept in the traditional classroom, while others are not. Some students naturally crave to obtain new information, and are eager to do this in any way possible. Others, however, prefer a more basic approach to education, instead choosing to avoid large universities and receive their schooling in an easier and less expensive way. I do not believe that one has the right to say that everyone is required to attend college in order to be successful.
ReplyDeleteCountless numbers of people have become incredibly successful in their careers despite never graduating from college. Each person is endowed with talents of some kind, and the majority of these talents do not include a college education. For a certain person, this talent may be something small such as baking. It may seem a simple ability, but imagine if that person decided to invest in the installation of their own bake shop, and ended up captivating the senses of thousands. Would a college education really have had a great impact in this situation? Would their lack of experience in a university have an extreme impact on the success of their career? Imagine now an individual who has an incredibly vivid imagination, one that is not "common" to the general human being. What if this person began to paint these unique mental images, selling them as famous pieces of art? Would their inexperience at attending a college biology course really be causing them a major inconvenience?
There are, however, certain people who have the capability to excel at a college university, simply because it is in their nature. There is a certain classification of students who simply enjoy any opportunity they encounter to acquire new information. These students are not necessarily "smarter" than others, but rather they have a natural inclination to learn. The hunger for knowledge exhibited by these students in part contributes to their outstanding achievements in the classroom. They have a longing to learn, to become more informed, and this causes them to take advantage of any experience they happen upon that allows them to seek and obtain knowledge.
When the idea is truly contemplated, the question arises: Is it really an education or lack thereof that determines potential success? How many of the most successful people in the world graduated with outstanding college report cards? It is a fair guess to say that there are probably not that many. This does not, however, degrade the importance of a college education. It simply explains that it is not a college education that determines one's potential, but rather the extent of perseverance. It is my belief that in the end, people will experience success when they exert themselves fully, persevering to meet an ultimate goal.
Mary, I like what you said about baking and art. There are other jobs out there for people who do not do too well with schoolwork. A lot of bakers have their own television shows and become famous. Art, especially these days, sells for a lot of money. A talent such as this can earn someone a lot of money. If a piece of art is signed by a famous artist and is declared an original, thousands of dollars can be made off of one piece! However, everyone has to learn before they can be this successful. Practicing new recipes and art techniques would be key for these people. Managing a business might also be a concern. These things can be learned through this VET program. It would be a very great option for so many people! I am in full support!
DeleteMary I agree with your comment about how it is not about who got all the good grades. When you get into the real would of working, your boss is not going to hand you a report card every week, they are not going to give you test. The VET program would help people find what they want to do, and teach it to them in a hands on way. You said how many kids learn differently. I agree with that. I think if there was a VET program in the US many would like it because of the hands on teaching. Many might stay with the college route because the like class room teaching. I am also in full support of the VET program.
DeleteMary, I agree with you 100% on how certain people excel in certain ways. I believe that it comes down to what you are passionate about and that benefits how we learn. An example of this could be someone who does not like math at all may not put fourth all of their to do well in that class, but if they love English they may put fourth more time and effort to do well. If you love something they will want to learn more about it. That is why grades do not fully reflect what we are capable of. We need to be encouraged for what we are good at rather than what we fail at.
DeleteVocations in Educational Training has been put into action in Switzerland and has proven to be an extremely successful method when teachIng people about their future careers. If this works in Switzerland, why not at least try it in the United States?
ReplyDeleteDifferent approaches have been taken for Americans, but college always comes out on top as the most usual thing to do. Guidance councillors and teachers are always assuming that the majority of the class wants to go to college. This is not true as many people despise the thought of this form of higher education. The challenge of being away from home for so long, handling schoolwork, and thinking about dropping out take over the minds of many individuals. It is simply not for them, but they are expected to get a high paying job so they are expected to attend at least a few years of college.
The ridiculous prices of a college education gives just one reason to supply Americans with this opportunity. Although scholarships are available for some, universities put so many people in debt. A VET program could help out many people when speaking on financial terms. It costs a lot for so businesses, but the output has proven to be more successful, especially in Switzerland. The money factor will work when debts are starting to be paid off many years prior to a college students.
A VET program in the United States would be even more successful if a lot of people, or everybody, started to use it. If this was the normal path to take after attending high school, It would make so many people feel relieved. The thought of completing school and getting to life faster is what so many Americans want. The hands-on approach would be great for citizens too. Instead of spending countless hours in a classroom memorizing things that they will soon forget, why not show students exactly what they will need in their chosen occupation? This way, it is all of utmost importance to them. By taking this approach, students can learn if they like what they are going to spend the rest of their lives doing, rather than spending thousands of dollars and hating their jobs.
The VET program seems reasonable in the United States. This gives everyone another option to get started on their life journeys. People spend so much of their lives in school, when experience is all that is needed sometimes. The different approaches that people take to peruse a career are countless. However, with a program like VET, students can feel secure about their decisions while living out the rest of their lives.
All of your points are ones that I agree with! The only thing I don't agree with is why the United States will not put this into action here. I think it could be a really beneficial process for many students. This would provide a better way to get a paying job without being in dept. that sounds great to me. Since we are juniors, looking into what college you want to attended is starting. When looking at them all you can see is the dollar signs. It's truly upsetting that some kids can not attending college because they don't have the money for the cost, and they don't have the grades for some some scholarships. I would truly like to see the VET program happen in the United States in the near future.
DeleteI agree! I think that probably the best part of the VET is the fact is that students will not be in debt. Many times, kids don't go to college not because they can't get in, but because they can't afford it. If the US puts the VET into action, then people with any finical status can get a good education and a job that pays pretty well for starting out.
DeleteThe point that many Americans spend enormous amounts of money but only end up hating their jobs is very valid. The money spent on a career should indicate the passion of the person who wants it. No one would save money for a car only to buy one they hate. This is because people usually spend money on things they love or want. Why does this same mindset not apply to a career choice?
DeleteCareers are not approached in the same way as other desires because of their changeable nature. Any career involves a number of variables that influence whether or not a student will choose it. The employment prospects, money spent, and amount of time required to actually obtain the chosen career are all factors that influence this major choice. If a career has a low employment prospect or requires the expenditure of too much money, a student will abandon their chosen career in favorable of one that does not require such a large quantity of resources. This choice reflects the need for an easy way to make money. However, pursuing a career solely because it will provide money for oneself is not reason to pursue it.
In the end, following this reasoning will lead to a career becoming a job. The day in and day out routine will grow old, and boredom will set in. The employee will end up hating their job, and all this because they opted for the easy route. If they had put in the time and resources, they could have had a career full of happiness. Choosing a career based on passion is a much better way to pursue a career.
I have the same feelings toward this program as Grace does. The way we are expected to grow up many not be the way WE want to grow up. Everyone is expected to go to college. I personally don't think that teachers and counselors should assume and persuade students to go to college. It is a decision everyone should make on their own. College is not necessary to be successful all of the time.
DeleteI believe that going to college is a path that many of us want to take. We want to go on this path so we will get a good paying job in the future. The worst part of college is that it is very expensive. It is at the point where many do not have enough money to go to college. Yes there is scholar ships and financial aid, but some students any not get those privileges. I think that if the United States started a VET program, it would take off rather quickly.
ReplyDeleteIf a student went on the path of the VET program, they would get the good paying job without the major expenses of college. For me, I plan on attending more than four years of college to receive good education. The worst part about it is the money situations I am going to run into. I also think since the VET program is more hands on and teaching with the specific job you want to do for your life, that would be more effective on the person in terms of learning. It would also help they business because their employees are already trained in the job.
This option would give the students the faster ability to find a job. The student would already be trained and know what to do. My major question is why don't businesses want this happening in the United States? I get it would cost the business a lot of money, but if they hire someone who knows the job inside and out, that would already pay off the million dollars.
To me, I believe that if the United States started a VET program, it would help out many of people. It might take some time for people to leave the college route, but it would take off quickly at the same time.
Madison, your point was correct when you said it might take a while to get the VET program started, but once it got started, it would benefit many people. This is true because Americans are stubborn. People want to do the same thing as everyone else so that they do not stick out. It is the "normal" thing to do to go to college. If the VET program became used by a few people, then others would start to use it. This popular trend would decrease the unemployment rate because it would be easier for citizens to become educated in their chosen fields. Also, people would be more passionate about their jobs, so they would do them better. It seems like a very good idea to bring the VET program to America.
DeleteI think it would take a bit of time to get one started too, as people are unfamiliar with the idea. But once people got the hang of it, I think it would become popular. It would give less excuses for people to be unemployed and on welfare, which would be a big plus! For me, I love hands on learning instead of sitting in a classroom. I think the idea of a new type of education like this would appeal to many people who think that college is just a bunch of lectures and boring teachers. Even better, it will save them money!
DeleteI think the idea of starting a VET program in the US would be awesome. College is expensive, and not for everybody. But people who don't go to college usually end up with low paying jobs which are hard to live on. Because of this, success in the US is associated with going to college and obtaining a good job. If the VET program came to the US it would take off quickly. It appeals to hands-on learners, it isn't costly, and can produce a better job; especially for those who don't want to attend college after high school. I think that if this was instated, then the unemployment rate would be a lot lower!
ReplyDeleteAlthough this would cost a lot for businesses, may businesses already pay for their employees to further their education already, so what is the difference? Here, they get to train them as well as put them in a school, and they get to be trained to specifically their business! No college can do that.
Another item argued in the article was that American students wouldn't like getting sorted into tracks. In my opinion, if you want to go to college and can afford it, do it! But if you don't want to or can't afford it, go to VET school! Either way, you can get a good paying job, so people shouldn't stereotype. As long as the unemployment rate and welfare rate is lower, I think that the VET schooling would be awesome here in the US, and something to highly consider.
Olivia, I agree that we the people in the USA always judge people on whether or not we go to college. The reason, is because it is assumed if you do not go to college, you will be a poor hobo your entire life. But if we got something like this VET program, then people will be able to get a job that will actually sustain them. I do know a lot of people that did not go to college, and are very successful. But I feel like a lot more people will be successful. I do not know if this will ever be accepted in the United States. I feel like it should be accepted, but I doubt it will.
DeleteOlivia, I agree with your statement of how the VET program has the potential was lowering the unemployment in the U.S. This is very true. The VET is designed for those who either do not have enough money, or do not have the desire to further their education. Many people in today's society do not have the desire to further education past high school. Like you said, this causes low payment or unemployment. Most of the time people do not want to spend time at college. This is a three year hands on activity which provides pay and a job.
DeleteThe foundation of lack of change in America is that large scale reform requires more change than most people are willing to allow. Despite the problems that some graduates face in finding a job, the majority of people are alright and are fearful of any new change. However, without reform how is the country supposed to become better?
ReplyDeleteThe mindset of many Americans makes them feel that college is the only option for their future. College is seen as a prestigious way to acquire a career, due to the positions that can be obtained. Doctors, lawyers, and other high paying positions can only be reached through a higher education. In addition, many students are pushed into college by the culture itself; "everyone" is doing it. This in itself is not true. A small percentage of students do opt for a trade school instead of college. These students easily find jobs, and the debt they incur is not as staggering as most college students'. With these facts at hand, why are more students not choosing trade schools?
Trade schools are looked down upon. Any student proclaiming ambition to become a surgeon will be commended by friends and family. Any student who wishes to become a welder will not have the same reception. Their announcement will be met with smiles, and halfhearted congratulations. The career they chose was not worse than the other, it was just different. Looking upon any trade less favorably due to how it is acquired or how it is preformed is a mindset that pushes prospective students away from that choice. However, the demand for these positions is high. Without many workers entering the field, the demand for them has risen. For this reason, nearly all students who enter a trade are employed soon after the completion of their training.
Both trade schools and colleges are viable options for further education. They both provide jobs, just jobs of a different nature. Until America realized that any job that provides for an individual is a job worth having, trade schools will continue to be frowned upon. Changing this mindset will be hard, but the benefits will be astounding.
I very much agree with your views on how it is the mindset of Americans that discourage so many from attending a trade school. So often we hear of the absurd tuitions that cause families to plunge into extreme debts. These days, it seems as if the cost of college is the central topic of complaint. If this is the case, then why are Americans so reluctant to entertain the thought of a trade school? If a person has a clear view of the career they hope to pursue, then I believe they should not be repressed, regardless of whether or not this plan includes a four year college education. If a parent is struggling financially, why should they shy away from the idea of a less expensive education for their child? With a trade school, a student will receive the skills they need for a specific career, while simultaneously avoiding the massive tuitions of a college university. If a program such as that suggested in the article were to be installed in America, I believe that it would be incredibly beneficial for those struggling with decisions regarding further education. However, while the installation of a trade school would solve many problems, it is difficult to say if such a program would be properly utilized, due to the derogatory reputation of trade schools.
DeleteI believe that the Vocational Education and Training program over in Switzerland is a great idea. The program guides young students towards a career choice they are interested in. When the students decide the career choice, they attend training centers where they will learn the traits in a span of three years.
ReplyDeleteThe Vocational Education and Training (VET), provides great opportunities for young scholars. The expense of collage is high, and the major a student decides is not always available to the graduate, or the graduate may not be hired do to the fact they are unsure of the environment and work that needs to be accomplished. However, VET students learn the ways of the work field. This allows the student more of an opportunity find a good, stable job after there three year training in the profession. The one applying people for jobs has an easier decision applying workers from a VET program. This is because they are aware of the skills each applicant has because they were in the VET program.
I believe the U.S. should consider bringing in these courses. I say this because not all families have enough money to send their children to college, and the Vocational Education and Training programs can provide great opportunities. Although, it would not just benefit those who need financial support, but those who decide not to attend college or not want to go to college due to the lengthy amount of years some fields require. The VET program would possibly encourage people further there education after high school, so they can obtain a stable job.
The fact that the Vocational Education and Training program trains a student for the workplace is a major advantage these students receive. Training a student for the workplace allows them to have some foreknowledge of what their job will be like. This knowledge lends them a stability and sureness they would not have otherwise.
DeleteMany colleges train a student for a field. They train the doctors about medicine, and the lawyers about laws. What do they teach about the workplace itself? Precious little of real world scenarios is taught in the classroom. Some fields do teach about it, but most use internships. Using internships to acquire experience is not always available to every student. Their experience will be gained from the day they enter the workplace, and can only guide them from there. Students who have undergone internships will have some experience, but they still earned it while on the job.
Preparing for a job before an employee receives it allows them to perform their job to the best of their ability. In order to carry out an action, an employee needs all the facts, and the real world applications that make these facts more than meaningless. If American education prepared students for the workplace, more students would be able to succeed at their occupations.
It seems that the inability to obtain a stable job is a large problem for many college graduates. While there are many explanations for this, I believe that one main reason is that a great variety of high school graduates are told that it is imperative that they attend a college university. It then seems to these students that going to college is the necessary thing to do. Even if a college education is not necessarily the ideal choice of the student, they feel it is mandatory in order to be successful. This causes the students to begin on a path that does not always lead to their success, because they did not truly want it in the first place. If trade schools were installed and utilized properly, they could lead to a better chance of obtaining a desired occupation. With a trade school, students have the ability to graduate with the skills they need to perform a specific job, leading to less of a chance of unemployment.
DeleteI strongly agree that the United States should adopt the concept of the VET programs. There are plenty of people, like Jonathan, who do not really agree with the school life. I just so happen to know one of these so called people. This specific person absolutely hates the mere concept of school. All that he wants to do is work, but he is not happy with that he is doing. He thinks that he wants to go to school, but he does not want to go through all of the core classes that one would have to go through if they went to college. He has spent almost his whole life wanting to work, but due to shilling regulations and laws, he was not allowed to simply work instead of going to school. Not only does having this program allow people to start working early, but it also gives people a chance to attend a school even though they might not be able to afford a college. Having the VET program in the United States would be a tremendous leap for the way that Americans look at schooling systems. It would offer so many opportunities to future generations if this program were to be instated in the US. If one were allowed to attend this VET program, people would be allowed to do what they want. They would be able to improve the working status of Americans all throughout the United States. Americans would be able to work for better jobs when hey are younger, and get paid very well for the job that they actually want to be doing. School is not something for everyone and with the VET program, Americans can do what they want earlier in their life instead of having to wait a whole eighteen some years to do what they knew they wanted to do. I think that the United States should most definitely adopt the VET concept into our schooling system.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though we are faced with too much to make the decision of what we want to do when we get older. Around here, it is our junior year that we have to start taking our SAT's and ACT's and make the choice of what we want to do when we get older. That I feel is too young to choose what we want to do for the rest of our lives. As we chose our poison, we also have to make the choice on where we want to go to school and what type of school we want to go to.
ReplyDeleteI understand how much college can cost, it is not just an education either. It is boarding, food, supplies, and ect. I also understand that trade school or vocational school is not cheap either, but you go for less time and get into the workforce more quickly which gives that person more time to pay off their debt. For example, from the article Jonathan Bove is 19-years-old,has a job working with an insurance company and is making a decent amount of money. This does not make the kid "dumb" either based on his decision to attend vocation school as opposed to a university. One of the reasons why going to vocational school in the United States would not work as well as it does in Switzerland is because we are too judgmental of of whether or not everybody goes to college or not. It really comes down to one thing: passion.
It is of the most importance to be happy with what you chose to do for your entire life time, it is important to do what you are passionate about. Whether that mean a person goes to vocation school or trade school for welding or if a person excel in mathematics and wants to teach, it is up to them to chose what they want to do.
I agree with the fact that we are judged for if we go to college or not. I don't think it is right for someone to be judged based on their educational level. I personally know someone who didn't go go college and is very success in running his own businesses. If you judge based on schooling, you look foolish in my opinion.
DeleteI agree with you and I do not understand why going to a trade school is synonymous with being stupid. I believe that these people are sometimes smarter than people attending a university. Dependent on field and major, they are going to have an easier time finding a job than someone graduating from college. Many times trade school have almost a 100% job placement. Is it not smarter for someone to go to a trade school with that kind of stability? I think that we need our great minds to be doctors and scientists, but is it not the working class that makes the ideas of these people possible?
DeleteI agree with the fact that everyone is judged on the fact of whether or not we go to college. I mean if you do not go to college, you are obviously stupid. If you do go to college, you are obviously a genius. I try no to think like this, but I always let these thoughts creep into my mind for a little. Like I said, I do not like to think like this, but I cannot help it. There are some smart people who do not go to college, but I guess if they go to something like the VET program, they may not be dumb. But I do not know.
DeleteI believe that it takes all kinds of people to make the world go around. Not everyone is going to become a brain surgeon or an astronaut. Some people are not going to thrive at college. A vocational or trade school are extremely good options for people who are not meant for college. In America, I think many people are under the impression that going to college is the only option we have. I believe that the country should adopt vocational schools and advertise the use of trade schools.
ReplyDeleteCollege can open up so many opportunities for an individual. They are able to meet people and work with some amazing people, but does the amount of money and work pay off? Many times, dependent on the major, a college graduate will have a difficult time finding work. Another common problem is that a college student may not get to experience the workplace environment that they are majoring in. How can they truly know that they want to send the rest of their life if they have never experienced it? I think this is what makes trade and vocational schools so unique. An individual is able to work in a hands on environment where they can make the decision on whether or not they want to spend the money and time on their education.
I do not think that each person is going to do well in college. I know many people who got to college and hated it. I believe that individuals who attend trade schools get a bad name. They get the false stigma that because they go to a trade school only because they were not smart enough to attend college. Each person is different and will make different choices. For instance, I know that I want to go to college. However, my parents are trying to lead my brother in the directions of a trad school. My brother is very smart, my parents just realize the demand for jobs in th fields that trade schools provide. Individuals who attend trade schools or receive a specialized education in their field provide the backbone for our country. They also have very good job placement. As said in the article, the starting salary of people graduating vocational school is around $50,000 a year. This is much more than most people who graduate college start with. It would be a great opportunity for individuals graduating high school to experience vocational school. I think that it would also be beneficial to our country and economy to start focusing on vocational schools. It would dramatically decrease unemployment rates. If the starting rate is as high as $50,000, the amount of debt would greatly decrease. It would also provide people with practical skills that can be used in real world situations. As said, these individuals provide the structure and support that holds our country together. We need electricians, welders, and mechanics, think of what would happen without them. I think that we should put the Vocations in Educational Training into effect in the United States.
I completely agree with you, Abbey! My dad is an electrician, so I often hear him talking about the high demand for people in the trades. They are not bad jobs, in fact they are crucial to society and can pay higher than many university degrees depending on how the individual applies himself or herself. I love how you mentioned your brother is smart and your parents want him to attend trade school. Many times I hear people bring down trade schools and the people that attend them. Often times they forget how successful many of them are and how difficult their jobs truly are. College is not for everyone. In fact, many people end up switching or dropping out because they cannot find it in themselves to do it. This is why vocational schools would be very beneficial to America. Also the hands on experience would teach more than sitting in a classroom discussing. Applying techniques is more beneficial than discussing them for eight years.
DeleteI believe this is a good idea, but I fear it will always be rejected in America. College has always been what young Americans have strived for. To tell them that they can go to something that can only be compared to as a trade school, people will never think of it on the same level as college. Smart kids will never want to go there. I know I do not want to go to a place that is like a trade school.
ReplyDeleteEmployers will always recognize a name like Notre Dame. If people go to these places, they will always have a distinct disadvantage over the people who go to a respected university. Employers will always think that these institutions are equal to trade schools. So for this reason, they will never succeed.
I think it is a good idea, but I would never be caught dead going to one of these places. In the United States, Swiss Universities do not have the name recognize that American Univeristies enjoy. Notre Dame is recognized all throughout the world. No one recognizes Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich. So this institution works in Switzerland. No one recognizes that name throughout the world. So if you go to one of these institutions, it is basically the same as just going to a trade school.
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DeleteI completely disagree with your mindset. Recognition is not always a good thing. Penn State was always recognized, which lead to their huge scandal being blown up even more. In that case their previous recognition caused them a harder downfall. Trade school is not "just a trade school" nor is it less beneficial than a college. In fact, I know people who went to trade schools who are for more successful than most people with university degrees. It is not about what you go for. It is about how you apply yourself. Going to a trade school to be an electrician, you could make 50,000 or six figures. It all depends on how you apply yourself. It is completely false to say smart kids do not want to go there. It is all about what they want. It is a false stigma. In fact, many trade school jobs take more skill than many jobs from a university degree. Think of all the responsibility and knowledge it takes to make robots work and presses automate. These people are geniuses. The average person has no idea how to create a working robot. These people from trade schools deserve a lot more credit than what anyone has been giving them.
DeleteNick, I disagree with what you are saying about this not being as good as good college. Yes, maybe they education if further at a university, but people still lack the knowledge of what goes on in a particular workforce. In VET programs, the opportunities are higher due to the fact they are already recognized by the company. Another is not every smart scholar has the finance they need to attend college. That is why the VET program would be great. Also, adults who are making a career change. However, I do agree with your points on how it will most likely not be available in the U.S.
DeleteNick, I have to disagree with you. I feel like people can strive for whatever they set their minds to. America was born off of hardworking citizens and what says that it can't stay that way. People have jobs that they are suppose to do and what they are passionate about. Also, when you bring up the point about employers looking at schools like Notre Dame and it being a universal sign of success, what says that certain trade schools are not looked like that in the same way. It depends on what field you are going into.
DeleteI feel as if the VET program is a great idea, but maybe not for the United States. I believe we should have it, but the country may not agree with this way of education. The way our country is set up is the following. First we have 14 years of school if you count preschool and kindergarten. Next we have college which we pay thousands of dollars for. There are a lot of students who go to college and pay and never get a job in the field they spent four years on. After college, we go on to try to find a job that we want possibly for the rest of our lives. I think that the VET program is a great way for students to make their way into the workforce. I also believe that the United States should at least consider it. I realize that it probably wouldn't happen, but it sounds like a plan that obviously works for Switzerland. Jonathan Bove is a nineteen year who is making $52,000 a year plus an annual bonus. When we are nineteen, we will have just been out of high school and will either be a freshman in college, or will be starting a job. The VET program would be an excellent alternative for students who don't want to go to college, but want to be educated in a workplace. Many people are looked down upon if they don't go to college immediately after high school. By using VET, we can show that it is a great idea that is successful without college.
ReplyDelete