I am reading some of the posts on this thread, and it makes me wonder if we all can be reading the same article.
As I read the article, there are three key points: One is that the trades are ignored, another is there are too many advanced degree holders chasing too few opportunities, and still another is that dual career couples find it difficult to satisfy both partners' needs for a fulfilling career.
As an advanced degree holder in the sciences, I have struggled with some of the same issues that this columnist wrote about. Particularly the two-body problem. I applaud her for putting her marriage first, even though it has meant the unraveling of her career in chemistry. Not too many women I know would make this sacrifice. However, it sounds like she is making the best of her situation by going back to school for a career that is in demand all over the country.
My hope for this columnist is that since pharmacy seems to be a better market that in the end she will get a payback on the work she has done. It is sad when a person who has excelled in every competitive situation she has ever faced is denied the opportunity to do the things she does best.
However, what I would like to know is whether or not her point about there being too many degree holders for opportunities is valid. Our politicians don't seem to understand the problem. They still claim that we need more scientists and engineers. And yet many of the engineers I know are finding themselved out-sourced to Asia and India or replaced with cheaper foreigners.
The American Dream? I think not.
Very interesting. I thought that we needed to import foreign science PhDs because we didn't produce enough here.
I won't go so far as to say that college is a waste of money but you sure don't need it if all you want is to make a decent living. Just learn a trade, work hard and you'll be fine.