WSJ piece<\/a>\u00a0offers a compelling compromise to the raging college vs. workforce debate. \u00a0While I am convinced there is a bubble in higher education, I think some critics of a college education go too far. \u00a0<\/p>\nThere is always a need for the trades such as plumbing, carpentry, etc. But every industry is undergoing a data revolution. \u00a0 To be a car mechanic today can require significant computer programming abilities, for example.<\/p>\n
Advancing to a management position in the trades still requires some post-high school education. \u00a0Whether that has to be from college is debatable. \u00a0With so many fine online learning resources, the brick-and-mortar college needs to make a better case for itself.<\/p>\n
The College of the Ozarks seems to be doing this. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Each student works his way through school, graduating debt-free. \u00a0What a great program. \u00a0I worked as an RA through college, and I found this one of the more rewarding parts of my education. \u00a0<\/p>\n
I met people and engaged in activities that would have never happened through my studies. \u00a0Employers often asked just as many questions about my college jobs as my actual studies. \u00a0<\/p>\n
I wonder how much of this real-world experience can be replicated for online learning. \u00a0While so much less expensive, you do get what you pay for. \u00a0For specialized training to those who already have a network, online education is a deal. \u00a0But for young people still making their connections and drafting their career plans, there is no substitute for a good college campus.<\/p>\n
The debt-free feature of this program is almost unbelievable. \u00a0So many young adults are deferring retirement investments, buying a home, etc., because of the crushing student debt. \u00a0Leaving college with no debt will open up so many doors to these graduates.<\/p>\n
The College of the Ozarks “business model” should get college administrators thinking. \u00a0While college is not for everyone, it can still be a good investment for a motivated young person – especially when the cost is nearly free.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This\u00a0WSJ piece\u00a0offers a compelling compromise to the raging college vs. workforce debate. \u00a0While I am convinced there is a bubble in higher education, I think some critics of a college education go too far. \u00a0 There is always a need for the trades such as plumbing, carpentry, etc. But every industry is undergoing a data […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1,387],"tags":[34,234,233,217],"class_list":["post-84","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-blog","category-education","tag-college","tag-employment","tag-higher-education","tag-work","entry","has-post-thumbnail"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t
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