“Don’t let college interfere with your education.”
My father would said this to any person he met who was either attending college or thinking of enrolling. The simple sentence was normally followed with a ten minute to two-hour lecture on the difference between getting a degree and getting an education. The length of the lecture depending on the politeness and tolerance of his victim audience.
I won’t subject you to that lecture today. I’ll save it for one of my Sunday essays.
More wisdom next week,
Andrew
Andrew's View of the Week 
I’d have loved the opportunity for a discussion with your father. He sounds very interesting!
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He was a conversationalist. He would have talked your ear off.
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This is so true…especially now (at the risk of sounding like an old lady).
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You’re not old. Old is anyone 40 years older than me, so unless you’re 96, you’re still just a pup.
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Your dad had such great lines!
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He did have good ones.
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Smart man, your Dad..:)
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He was that.
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I like what your father has said. Some people aren’t made for the college education. And it may not/ is not due to the person’s IQ. My son’s IQ is in the 140s (can’t remember the exact number), yet he hated school. With a photographic memory and the classes repeating material over and over again, he struggled. I would have sent him to a private progressive school but couldn’t afford it. Of course, anymore a person probably needs more than a high school diploma. My son ended up going to a tech. school getting his certification in welding. He’s happy with his chosen career.
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I took a similar path. I went to a tech school for electronics, learned computers and I’ve had a great career. At 46 I went back to the University to get my degree in English – not for a career, but for personal enrichment and because I wanted to improve my writing skills. So far, it’s turning out well.
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Attending college to learn more about what you’re passionate about instead of thinking of what it’s going to get you later (like better income) I think is so much more rewarding. My first time at college I majored in Accounting. Got me a job but it certainly wasn’t my passion. Second time around I majored in Sociology/Social Work. I enjoyed my classes so much that second time around.
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Exactly. Second time I went to school, it was all about passion and nothing about what job I’ll get after.
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We’re getting to the point over here where people go to university, get a degree, perhaps in a rather irrelevant subject, but then have anything up to £80,000 of debts. ($114,000) And they are now beginning to think that they would be better off with an education.
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I see a lot of that here. People coming out of university with a life time of debt for a piece of paper. There are young engineers at my company who, because of school debt, can’t afford to buy a house, a car or even rent a decent apartment. We need to rethink what we’re doing to our young people.
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I got a good chuckle out of that pearl. 😀 Your dad knew what he was about with that one.
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It’s always been one of my favorites.
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😀
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Your father was a wise man.
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He was that.
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There’s also a huge difference between knowledge and wisdom. My father-in-law was a high-school drop-out, but you couldn’t have asked for a man with more practical wisdom about him. Sounds like your dad was a pretty wise man too!
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He was!
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Dear Andrews, I’ve nominated you for a One Lovely Blog Award. Woo-hoo! Should you choose to accept, here are the guidelines: http://mitchteemley.com/2016/01/29/one-heckuva-lovely-blog/
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Thanks for the kind thought. I appreciate that you find what I do worth a nomination. I generally don’t play by all the rules, but’ll take a look at it.
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It’s unfortunate that so many employers still put so much stock in that college sheepskin. I hope that’s changing. They’re undoubtedly overlooking some of the most talented, knowledgeable people available.
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In the high tech business, it’s somewhat important, but you more likely to be judged by what you did at your last job rather than the degree you have or don’t have. Sadly, not all jobs think this way.
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If you let the degree and education walk hand in hand it would be an harmonious result.
I think your father would agree.:)
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He would agree.
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Seems like some pretty sound advice!
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I’ve always thought it was.
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I love your wisdoms! Or your Dad’s in this case. It reminds be of the difference between knowledge and wisdom.
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I am just full of it, er wisdom that is and much of it I stole from father.
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Hah! Stolen/passed on…what’s the difference… Enjoyable either way.
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😉
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College isn’t for everyone. I hate when educators make it sound like the result of a successful high school experience. So not true.
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I think we do young people a disservice by trying to force everyone into college. There are so many other ways to learn. There needs to be different paths open to everyone.
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Excellent advice on its own. Reminds me of my favorite woodworking quote: “By all means read what the experts have to say. Just don’t let it get in the way of your woodworking” – John Brown
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I like that quote.
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