Posted on 06/11/2003 11:23:53 AM PDT by Drew68
Wed Jun 11, 7:50 AM ET
Craig Wilson, USA TODAY
Years ago -- I don't need to say how many -- when I was a freshman in college, the first week on campus was filled with seminars and lectures and orientation meetings.
Upperclassmen set up tables on Syracuse's quad and dispensed the kind of knowledge only upperclassmen can dispense.
I remember chatting with one senior who proudly announced, ''I'm an anthro major myself.''
Maybe I didn't react fast enough, or act impressed enough, because she was quick with the follow-up.
''Anthropology?'' she asked as if introducing me to a brand-new world. ''Like Margaret Mead?''
''But doesn't Margaret Mead have the only job there is in anthropology?'' I naively asked.
She didn't like my question very much and didn't respond, turning instead to another freshman who had just strolled up to her table.
I often wonder whatever happened to her. What does happen to anthro majors? Or philosophy majors? Or art history majors, for that matter?
I came from a practical family. My parents were happy to send me to college, but they expected me to be employed in the end. A crazy notion, I know, but they were farmers, used to planting things in the spring and then getting a harvest in the fall. Even I thought it a fair exchange.
Kierkegaard and Caravaggio were all very well and good, but my dad had never heard of either, and he was damn well sure they weren't going to be very good references when the time came to hand over my résumé at a job interview.
I read the other day that this is the worst job market for recent college graduates in 40 years. The market for summer jobs is even worse, because the jobs usually taken by high school kids are now being taken by college grads who can't find jobs in, or out, of their fields.
So what's an art history major to do these days? Other than Prince William, an art history major with a somewhat secure job in sight, most everyone else will have to scramble.
The good news about a bad economy is that you have better-educated people working in the service industry. The bad news about a bad economy is that you have better-educated people working in the service industry.
I mean, do we need the woman at Home Depot telling us we're making a big mistake choosing the Ionic column over the Doric for the front porch?
There's a new radio commercial for Bud Light that salutes those out there working in the trenches, pursuing what seems to be the increasingly elusive American dream. The ad campaign is called Real Men of Genius, and it celebrates the common man, each with his own mini-bio, ending up with the not-too-surprising conclusion that we all need a cold beer at the end of a hard day.
The commercials celebrate everyone from the Mr. Wedding Band Guitar Player to Mr. Nudist Colony Activity Coordinator to Mr. Supermarket Free Sample Guy. All fictional, presumably.
Among the Real Men of Genius is Mr. Fancy Coffee Shop Coffee Pourer. And yes, you guessed it: He holds a degree in art history. A master's, in fact.
My dad would not have thought this fiction at all.
If you consider the fact that Commissioned Officers (as I was) are commissioned to act as the delegated authority of the Commander-in-Chief within the services, once the CiC disgraces himself, how can one not feel a bit tarnished as well?
I left honorably at the end of my service obligation in '95. I could no longer stand what the 'leadership' was doing to the Army I loved. I felt free to go on my way because I knew I had some decent job prospects on the outside and didn't have to sell my soul to stay in. In '99 I resigned my commission to take a Sergeant's job in the National Guard.
I got a history degree and later went for a more practical advanced degree. The liberal arts education has been an outstanding preparation both for work and non-work life.
IMHO college is not just about job offers, but is more about becoming an educated person, learning about who the human race is and where our civilization came from.
It isn't. I took a look in '95 at a 'cross-section' of the mid-career Captains and Majors leaving in the '90s up till then. These are the guys who will face the toughest transition to civ employment--y'know, middle managers, midcareer--like right now....
Chemists, Engineers of all disciplines, JAG Lawyers, Docs, Physicists... Anyone with a technical or science-type degree was bailing.
Staying: History, English, (Language) Majors, and a whole heckuvalot of 'Russian Studies' guys.
I had a running joke with some of the other LT's--when you ran across a Major bucking to make LTC who was zealously pushing the Clinton 'Consideration of Others', Operations Other than War', and 'Don't ask--Smoke Pole' doctrines, I would ask them: "Hey sir, you Majored in Russian Studies didn't you?" more times than not, I was correct....
(little indian lingo for you there... Um, I mean Native American, or whatever...)
I looked at the amount of jobs I could have with a bachelors vs the amount of jobs I could have with a masters and decided to never get a masters. I would be virtually unemployable in my state of New Mexico with a masters or Phd.
A gal I worked with in an engineering position--same position as me--had a Phd in Physics, made the same amount as me with a BSEE and she was happy to have the job. That told me a lot.
With the end of the 'Patron System' of arts and philosophy, the only hope in America if you want to be employed and educated is to go for the employment and then educate yourself as a hobby.
It pays more now to be clever than smart....
Same year for me (albeit in December). I considered it during highschool and for a couple of years after but I had a wealthy grandfather who talked me out of it and offered to pay my way through college.
Knowing some friends in college were having a good time, I jumped at the offer.
I have two close friends from highschool who served. One of them was in the 82nd as a paratrooper and loved it. The other was a MP in Germany and called the Army the "worst decision I ever made."
You're right, of course... I wish I had the luxury to take some of my studies in music and history out of the hobby category.
However, the way the world is now, I probably won't have the chance until (if?) I retire in the far, far future....
You mean that, because you have an English degree, you can employ your CDL in a job that allows you to work from home?!???
Neat trick!
The jobs you mention will be all outsourced to india/foreigners very shortly.
I knew there was a reason I didn't trust Starbucks.
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