Ross Gittins of SMH argued that “it is neither possible nor desirable for proportion of university applicants being accepted to even remotely approach 100 per cent”. Yes — university is not (and shouldn’t be) for everyone, but these days it just feels “weird” if you don’t have a university degree (especially amongst us Asians). A bachelor degree is now just an extension of high school — it worth nothing in a few years time, and the “keen ones” will seek even higher education. No wonder tertiary education has been such a successful “business” in Australia, especially to those with the mentality that life is not complete without a uni degree.
No. It is not a be all and end all. I found that I have learnt very little in my 4 year engineering degree (actually I am pretty sure I’ve learnt heaps except I’ve given all back). Maybe I won’t mention that to at church, when all the new students swamp in next month :)
And Gittins raised this question at the end of his column: “Why so many kids would prefer to be poorly paid GPs or suburban solicitors rather than high-charging, self-employed tradespeople is beyond me”. Why? Exactly the same question I would like to ask to many.
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