THE UPEI SUN, Thursday, October 23,,1980, page 8

regree m m We

‘STELL SENEFIT EN UNIVERSITY DEER LEE

{Reprinted courtesy ofthe Toronto Star]

In countless homes in recent years, the dialogue has gone something like this:

"Gee, Dad, there's not much point in _

my going to university. It won't do much to get me a job when I graduate. I read where there's guys with Ph.D.'s driving cabs because they can't get work. I might as well go to community college and take a Fusincss course."

Sound familiar?

Well, don't believe it, kid. The stories about cab drivers with doctorates in English and philosophy are largely myths. They make good reading, but they are hard to track down.

While it is true that a university degree is no longer an automatic ticket to a well-paying job and a firm hold on the executive ladder. it is still the best investment 2 young person can make of his time and money.

Accurding to University of Ottawa viccrcctor Jean-Tyiichel F-ciliard. a recent fed: ral study shows that in January,1979, when unemployment in Canada soared to 9.1 per cent, the overall unemployment rate for university graduates was only 3.5 per cent.

in that same month, when unemploy:

merit among young people in the 15.94 age bracket reached 14 per cent, only 6.6 per cent of the university grads in this age group were without jobs. The rate for three-year community. college graduates was only 9.1 per cent. while 28.1 per cent of high school graduates were without work.

University graduates not only got

more jobs, they got better paying ones.

A 1978 federal study revealed that two years after graduation, university radu- ates vyere earning a median salary of $14,700 while community college grads earned $13,069.

“Yeah, sure," says our hypothetical adolescent. “that stuff may hold true for doctors, lawyers and business graduates. But what about the poor slabs taking philosophy or English. Who wants to hire them?"

V \Vrong again, son.

The studies show that it doesn't matter much what course you take. Employers are not nearly as impressed with specific skills as with the general habits of mind acquired in the course of a university education.

An employer can always teach you the

technique of entering information in the company (‘uZYLpUteL or the knack of selling

his particular product.

But what he can't do is give you a

broad. general education. He can't instill

qualities of imagination, curiosity and *

logical thinking. For these, he relies on university training. The studies also suggest that the job

panic which drove thousands of university,

students to shift from arts and science courses to business and management were both unnecessary and regrettable.

It was unnecessary because job chan- ces for business graduates do not fseem appreciably better than for those who studied Ancient Greek or biology.

It was regrettable because many people turned away from fields of study that excited them to take up subjects that interested them less but seemed more practical. And that is regrettable because higher education should satisfy a thirst for learning. not just nob requirements. The \ (all)? of a university education lies in the attituch it forms. the wisdom it offers and the joy of discovery it brings rather than how closely it matches the job market.

Understand, son?

lw..r . . w

We cram all

day 8 further

into the night

at last awake

we arrive with

deep circles under our eyes to begin

our mind goes

blank, we can't remember the answers. relax 8 slowly we think - ah all comes back we leave relief written all over our face-

we did it; complete--‘ we passed the test!

It

Claire Hickey/80

(WW/fir h llow is the new monkey working out,

Or — rinder? '

,, “i

W

[ /,.

. l

its?

just one (ladder 1 I‘ve me " moon/15 _ already!

when I—omotled have, told me I‘d 4» 223171 and

tuxeuenoo h“.

'where will~|

/

“ A, COLLEGE sruosNrss QUEST

Questions,-anSWers ‘problems arise

“ find the knowledge. I

’ ponder 8 read .

8 Study some

more hoping to find -the tunnel through which I can pass Tests, exams 8 papers to do, I trudge 8 carry 1 _ on silently praying I can complete this year 8 still have my sanity. Finally I see at the end of .my tunnel some light appearing

and I know I'll

do alright! I 1 Claire Hickey/80

and sleep on a board.

v; aching/OPS