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JDPriestly

(57,936 posts)
81. Used to be a background in European languages was considered very valuable.
Tue Apr 24, 2012, 11:05 AM
Apr 2012

It isn't any more. Now people are urged to learn Arabic, Spanish and Chinese.

Never mind that the great Renaissance and Enlightenment movements of Europe lead to the development of science.

It's interesting how people think that the free market is just great when it comes to economics but not so great when it comes to choosing your major or discussing ideas.

But I stand by my assertion that if science teachers focused a little less on their science and a little more on finding great ways to communicate their love and interest in science to children and even college students, more kids would want to go into science.

I don't know how it happened, but my children had great science teachers -- and they chose to major in science- and math-related fields. We accuse them of revolting against us by going into science. In fact, we are proud and pleased and just joking.

My started college in the Depression. Although he wanted to be an engineer, he chose to go into liberal arts because there was no work for engineers. So, you can't tell. If the economy doesn't drastically improve pretty quickly, engineers and scientists could also be hitting the breadlines.

Look on the bright side 90-percent Apr 2012 #1
At some point, the major has to be considered... ag_dude Apr 2012 #3
Because it's not up to you what a student's "allowed" to major in, full stop. (nt) Posteritatis Apr 2012 #4
Who in the world said don't allow them to major in it? ag_dude Apr 2012 #5
But its impossible in this shifting economy to say which majors may hold the key to $$$ riderinthestorm Apr 2012 #14
Archaeology is your example... ag_dude Apr 2012 #29
In virtually every country, an archaeology survey is legally required before ANY construction riderinthestorm Apr 2012 #31
My daughter and I had this discussion..... AnneD Apr 2012 #78
What should we ALL study then? Ash_F Apr 2012 #132
Technical writing is another example Quantess Apr 2012 #157
Of course not, but students should choose their majors with their eyes open. Flatulo Apr 2012 #9
My nephew got an engineering degree from an excellent school, where he'd had pnwmom Apr 2012 #20
What about architects? ... Bigmack Apr 2012 #48
computer science majors are pretty much screwed once they hit 40. provis99 Apr 2012 #67
It's true that at a certain point fujiyama Apr 2012 #136
India and China are ALREADY making huge investments in those areas fujiyama Apr 2012 #135
Don't Koch brothers have some kind of lobbyist training program? pstokely Apr 2012 #55
What career does your son want? Hippo_Tron Apr 2012 #68
I keep asking myself that question... Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #75
Out of curiosity, what do you do now? Hippo_Tron Apr 2012 #130
There's a lot of money going into the political system fujiyama Apr 2012 #138
I was the first on in my family ...... AnneD Apr 2012 #79
No, but perhaps it is up to us to determine how federal loans are handed out 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #11
It's a loan, not a grant. JDPriestly Apr 2012 #24
That's a lie liberal arts students tell themselves to feel better about their degrees 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #36
Because you cannot know the utility of the degree. JDPriestly Apr 2012 #42
"Your proposal is based on the hypothesis that we can see into the future" 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #44
Experts predict that 60% of the best jobs in the next 10 years haven't even been invented yet riderinthestorm Apr 2012 #49
Not one single person who currently makes a living as an app developer for an i-phone 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #84
There used to be a "core curriculum" for engineering -- stuff that prepared you for change FarCenter Apr 2012 #92
I think many universities are starting to incorporate some of the classes you mentioned fujiyama Apr 2012 #140
It would be good if it applied to all STEM majors FarCenter Apr 2012 #141
I agree. fujiyama Apr 2012 #148
Good list. n/t rayofreason May 2012 #166
The jobs you mentioned fujiyama Apr 2012 #139
Used to be a background in European languages was considered very valuable. JDPriestly Apr 2012 #81
European languages are still valuable 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #85
Is liberal arts really easier, or is it just presented in a more interesting way, JDPriestly May 2012 #161
Liberal arts is easier 4th law of robotics May 2012 #162
But, what I did not realize until I retired and began to garden, JDPriestly May 2012 #163
I don't think that is true for everyone Nikia May 2012 #171
I agree that many science teachers in K-12 aren't doing as good a job as they can fujiyama Apr 2012 #142
So true. And I think that teachers are doing a better job now than they did when I was JDPriestly May 2012 #164
I agree with you on a lot of this fujiyama May 2012 #172
Thanks. JDPriestly May 2012 #173
There's no perfect major -- there have been plenty of engineers unemployed . Even now pnwmom Apr 2012 #28
A lot depends on the school one attended. Hiring managers have a tendency to Flatulo Apr 2012 #30
That is one of the main reasons.... AnneD Apr 2012 #80
There will always be some unemployed people in any field 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #37
Of course there isn't a "perfect major" fujiyama Apr 2012 #147
When most of these students were picking their majors the trends weren't clear. pnwmom Apr 2012 #16
Really? Doing what though? fujiyama Apr 2012 #150
Traditionally, most humanities majors haven't expected to find a job directly related to their pnwmom Apr 2012 #155
Because DonCoquixote Apr 2012 #21
Although some majors may face better odds, there are usually several factors at work Nikia Apr 2012 #22
Maybe that's exactly the problem. Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #62
You've got to make a lot of money fujiyama Apr 2012 #160
Their choice Ulcer Apr 2012 #100
A creative writing major working as a barista ag_dude Apr 2012 #2
He's over qualified for barista work pstokely Apr 2012 #57
I gotta wonder what kinda job he expects to get hired into fujiyama Apr 2012 #6
You can't predict what will happen in the job market. JDPriestly Apr 2012 #25
I disagree that technical and science degrees are limited fujiyama Apr 2012 #134
Writing for Hollywood? pstokely Apr 2012 #56
How many people have luck breaking into that industry? fujiyama Apr 2012 #133
writing jobs in hollywood are tougher with so many reality shows now JI7 Apr 2012 #137
We write software. We hire people like him jeff47 May 2012 #170
Sucks, but... Serve The Servants Apr 2012 #7
What kind of job was he expecting to get with a creative writing degree? pstokely Apr 2012 #54
advertising, pr, education, bank manager, manger of the place Iris Apr 2012 #105
Wearing fishing tackle on his face to his interviews probably does not help either n/t prdel May 2012 #174
The article states... BadtotheboneBob Apr 2012 #8
Unfortunatley... Serve The Servants Apr 2012 #10
Eventually, the guy with a creative writing degree will have a job. Iris Apr 2012 #106
A telling quote: 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #12
Don't go into debt and major in those things pstokely Apr 2012 #23
Or major in something useful and minor in something fun 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #33
A "useful" major isn't a job guarantee pstokely Apr 2012 #53
No on said it was a guarantee 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #90
A large number of those majors plan on years of grad school pstokely Apr 2012 #96
This is the key point fujiyama Apr 2012 #151
"While there's strong demand in science, education and health fields, arts and humanities flounder." ingac70 Apr 2012 #13
Many students are trying to get one of the few slots for these useful majors. pnwmom Apr 2012 #18
Then you decide on something else.... something else useful.... ingac70 Apr 2012 #32
Yeah, sure, and 100% of the students better make sure they're in the top 25%. pnwmom Apr 2012 #38
"the education society is pushing them to get" has served many quite well. Iris Apr 2012 #107
That's true. I had a liberal arts degree and it served me well. pnwmom Apr 2012 #116
I didn't know Herman Cain posts at DU! alp227 Apr 2012 #61
Is that how you made it? nt Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #64
Yeah.... ingac70 Apr 2012 #76
How cool is that! I studied Radiology (CT Tech here) and now studying Philosophy/Humanities... Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #97
Middling self discovery is fine.. ingac70 Apr 2012 #104
Whining? You talk as if 'student loans' are 'handouts' Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #113
...... ingac70 Apr 2012 #114
Post removed Post removed Apr 2012 #117
"Would you have signed up for Philosophy without already possesing a marketable skill?" Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #122
once you have a foot in the door any bit of education helps... ingac70 Apr 2012 #128
Do something else then 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #34
Then our whole society should stop sending students the message that college is the answer. pnwmom Apr 2012 #39
People have this idea that a degree automatically = money.... ingac70 Apr 2012 #41
And the idea that if you don't succeed is because you didn't try hard enough... or just lazy. Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #65
that is exactly what we were told by every Taylor Smite Apr 2012 #91
How would we do that? 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #43
I don't know. I'm just saying it's not the students fault -- it's the fault of the adults in charge. pnwmom Apr 2012 #45
The students *are* adults. 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #46
Yeah, right. pnwmom Apr 2012 #47
Are you sure you are not a robot? Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #69
18-22 year olds are not adults? 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #88
Yes. That's about the only thing it makes sense from your conversation. nt Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #98
So then why are they allowed to make such decisions? 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #102
Remember how the mortgage folks Taylor Smite Apr 2012 #93
You can't argue with logic when you have plenty of hate and contempt for... Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #121
And how are people suppose to get into another field of study... Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #66
Pretty simple: 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #89
So you want to 'regulate' education? No wonder why many US workers are under-qualified. Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #99
Crazy I know, the concept that government can have any role in "regulating" education 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #101
Well HELLO! Are we talking about regulating student loans? Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #103
Wow 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #119
Lol!! Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #120
I really don't know what to do with this 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #124
+1 ingac70 Apr 2012 #40
Or it may mean going to a less prestigious school fujiyama Apr 2012 #152
Story is about as shallow as it gets ProgressiveProfessor Apr 2012 #15
Many good students are denied entrance into useful degree programs -- so they major in whatever pnwmom Apr 2012 #19
This is bullshit. Iris Apr 2012 #108
If you read my OP you'll see I basically agree with you. pnwmom Apr 2012 #115
People think "business" is a marketable degree. Iris Apr 2012 #127
I wish all the current and recent graduates much good fortune and... steve2470 Apr 2012 #17
& wouldn't hurt picking up some... happerbolic Apr 2012 #26
But in reality Taylor Smite Apr 2012 #94
The job problem for college graduates is NOT picking the "correct" major. AdHocSolver Apr 2012 #27
According to the article the shortage of jobs isn't in science and engineering 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #35
DU has had several posts by older, experienced scientists and engineers... AdHocSolver Apr 2012 #51
Big company with well known name Taylor Smite Apr 2012 #95
there is a vast oversupply of science majors in the US. provis99 Apr 2012 #70
I wouldn't think the problem is oversupply of science majors. Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #72
That article was focusing on academia 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #86
Additionally the shortages in academia are a result of recent draconian cuts to research budgets 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #87
Having looked for jobs with a degree in science recently Nikia Apr 2012 #149
This is true fujiyama Apr 2012 #153
Indeed, the job market is rough. BUT . . . . 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #158
believe whatever you want sweetapogee Apr 2012 #50
I worked in engineering and science environments. AdHocSolver Apr 2012 #52
"dumbing down of education in the U.S." Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #63
One of the best posts here fujiyama Apr 2012 #154
At last! A SANE post! Iris Apr 2012 #109
It is only April. Have they even graduated yet? treestar Apr 2012 #58
The second SANE post of this entire thread! Iris Apr 2012 #110
The student loan bubble begins. joshcryer Apr 2012 #59
Actually, I think it's about to end. Psephos Apr 2012 #73
Doh, yes, I should've said it's about to pop! joshcryer Apr 2012 #74
I feel sorry for the young people.... unkachuck Apr 2012 #60
The RW meme machines are working hard tonight in this thread. nt Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #71
No kidding. Almost like reading a freeper thread. n/t SomeGuyInEagan Apr 2012 #82
agree CountAllVotes Apr 2012 #83
Not sure when you went to school Iris Apr 2012 #112
Amen. Lost-in-FL Apr 2012 #118
I know. And it's like the more you say it, the more people believe it. Iris Apr 2012 #125
it was semi-affordable CountAllVotes Apr 2012 #123
Agreed. My dad put 3 kids through with a union job and lots of overtime Iris Apr 2012 #126
I see a lot of pretty ridiculous high-cost construction on campuses around here.. Posteritatis Apr 2012 #144
My guess would be those projects are being funded by outside sources Iris Apr 2012 #145
Sane post #THREE!!!! Iris Apr 2012 #111
Yep. (nt) Posteritatis Apr 2012 #143
We're in the process of creating an entire generation of coalition_unwilling Apr 2012 #77
If you want a professional job, look professional madville Apr 2012 #129
I ... really, really don't think that accounts for the "1 in 2" figure, or anything close. (nt) Posteritatis Apr 2012 #146
Thats a rather strange take may3rd May 2012 #169
College education should be free. U4ikLefty Apr 2012 #131
The real question should be fujiyama Apr 2012 #156
A 23-year-old graduated in 2010 with a creative writing degree? tawadi Apr 2012 #159
Frantically waving my 26 year old law degree. Manifestor_of_Light May 2012 #165
Great read: http://www.democraticunderground.com/101626980 proverbialwisdom May 2012 #167
Some notable excerpts (the analysis has absolutely nothing to do with choice of college major): proverbialwisdom May 2012 #168
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