Education system hinders people
By doubloonie
@doubloonie (535)
Canada
June 10, 2008 9:32am CST
I am a little cynical about the western education system in that you pretty much have to know what you want to be when you grow up by the time you enter gr. 10. But that's unrealistic! The reason I say by gr. 10 is you have to have the proper courses in high school to get accepted into the proper program at college/university. You have to have the proper degree in college/university to get the proper job in life. But what if you make a decision in gr. 10 to go into business, for example, and you take all the appropriate courses in college/university to get your business degree. But after you graduate and get a job using that degree, you discover your real passion in life is to become a doctor? Or teacher? Or Archeologist? Or Architect. Well now, at this point, you have to start all over again. You have to get the appropriate pre-requisites from high school to get accepted into the college/university program and then get your degree in your new field of choice. But some people don't have the luxury of being able to spend another 4 years in school, and furthermore, some people don't have the financial capacity to earn another degree when they are still paying off student loans from their first one.
I believe that people are capable of learning a new field, if they are provided with the proper combination of theory and hands-on training. For example, if I want to become a doctor, then I would be willing to take the appropriate courses specifically related to the field, and then I would be willing to shadow and be trained by an established doctor or teacher who could provide hands-on training of the job.
I am just disillusioned with the school system and believe this is the reason why there are a lot of people stuck in jobs they hate. It's easy to tell somebody that if you hate your job, just quit it and do something else. But what if the something else you want to do is something you're not qualified for - YET. I think if the education system were altered to become more flexible, adults would be able to have more options and have a greater chance of achieving self-satisfaction with their jobs.
3 responses
@Johnnypenn (237)
• United States
30 Jun 08
For one thing, I am homeschooled, so maybe this is a nice difference. However, I wasn't raised to know what it was I had to be as an adult. I always wanted to be a fiction novelist and sell books. I've spent most of my life doing school because I had too, but more or less practicing my writting skills.
I'll probably get a teacher degree and be sanctioned by the state to teach English, but that's if my writting career goes no where and I finally give up on it. Not that I will, my second book just arrived at my Agent's office, so, here's to hoping that someone will pick it up!
1 person likes this
@doubloonie (535)
• Canada
2 Jul 08
Wow - good luck on your writing and congratulations on your second book. That's very exciting news! Homeschooling is a whole 'nother type of education system that I don't have much experience with. I'm glad to hear it worked out for you though.
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
11 Jun 08
The education system in the west does not hinder one. If you has choses business in school at the grade 10 level and after going and receiving your degree you realize that is not your dream well you can go and achieve that dream. There is a Judge here in Jamaica, she is a High Court Judge and her dream was always to become a singer. She resign from the bench sometime this year and doing just that. Singing. She has release some singles so far. There were persons who was talking about it. But personally I don't see anything wrong with it. She did what her parents want her to do. Now she is doing what she wants.
There are alot of opportunity in this world. You can do what you love without hinderance.
1 person likes this
@doubloonie (535)
• Canada
11 Jun 08
I appreciate your insight, kerriannc! I agree that there is a lot of opportunity in this world and I'm not saying western people cannot follow their dream. However, your example of becoming a singer is in a slightly different class than someone trying to become a doctor. I think almost anyone can become a singer - even those with mediocre voices (see: Britney Spears. Heh!). But if say the Judge wanted to become a doctor, would she be able to simply become one, without paying for education and spending several years of school and training?
So, yes, I do concur that people in the west, can still achieve any of their dreams, however, depending on their dream field, the education system here can hinder them in terms of time and money spent.
@Phlamingho (7824)
• Denmark
10 Jun 08
Where I come from it's a little easier, maybe because the goverment allow everyone free education no matter what kind of field you are interested in. Of course if you've never had any math it's hard to become an engineer - but then you can just take a year with math courses and qualify. All free of course - btw did I mention that we get around $1000 a month from the goverment to go to the free school? Ohh I love the danish welfare system :)
1 person likes this
@doubloonie (535)
• Canada
11 Jun 08
Your country's education system sounds amazing! It allows for educational freedom in that anybody, regardless of financial status and background. I can't see any negative aspects about providing free education to people - The population would be more well-educated. I wish the west could implement something like that to our system. Thanks for your input!
