Tuesday, January 27th, 2009...12:30 am
Traditional Education – Is it worth the cost?
The world is changing. We are making huge leaps in global communication and self education. However, lots of us are suffering from economic hardship, and it seems as if education is becoming more of a luxury rather than a given need. But to give up on education is to give up on progress, and that is just not an option if you want to survive.
I have a friend on Twitter, who is a great photographer in my opinion, that is currently debating on going back to school to obtain a new degree, and I have to admit, I often think of this myself from time to time. And I am asking the same question that he is – would it be worth it? Every day I am faced with just how much free information there is right at my fingertips. All I have to do is open my laptop and surf Google to find what I need. My education grows with every website I hit. And, when matched with the cost of tuition, books, supplies and transportation - this becomes a strong argument against taking traditional classes in a college setting.
However, all of this Wi-Fi life that I am living seems to be missing something. When in a classroom, you have a guide and are opening yourself to opportunities that you just can’t get if you stay at home plugged into your system. There is no one standing beside you to go over your projects, helping you improve your techniques. There will be no companies coming to your door to say "Hey, come work with us as part of your education. You can add us to your resume and we’ll promote you." And these are things that will never lose their precious value no matter how far the economy drops.
Also, the Degree is not dead. Companies world wide still put great value on higher education. It is a documented statement that you can work hard, meet expectations and deadlines, and that you were not left alone to drift in the sea of information that is on the Internet. In that moment – the one where the person you are interviewing with says "Oh good! I see you studied." and you realize your resume just went to the top of the stack on his or her desk – that is when cost of that little piece of paper suddenly becomes every bit worth what you did to get it.
And just think of all the bragging rights. 
OK… I won’t go on a rant.
I will be sure that my daughter goes to college when she’s young simply because I know the stigma associated with not having a degree.
I never liked the idea of taking classes I had no interest in simply to be considered a “well-rounded” person.
My education will end up costing me $65k+, money I probably won’t recoup anytime soon. But hey, if it keeps me from getting dirty looks when I’m in an interview so be it.
Well, you do serve a good point. Having to shell out the expense of classes that I know I will never use – such as biology – is a frustrating thing indeed. I do agree 100% with the idea that formal education in this country is beyond exhaustive and it would be nice if the “required” classes were not as costly as the “specialized” ones. However, I don’t ever see that happening.
But if I really had my way, I’d just follow you around AJ.
I’ve done both. I got my business degree in the early 90′s. Then went to work. In the late 90′s i decided to go back to school to a multimedia/web design associated degree.
Balancing out work and school was hard for a few years. But the information, the people, and the connections i made were well worth the return.
Think of it this way. Its like Photoshop World. I go to PSW for several reasons. One..to make connections with talented people. Two…you learn so many new things that you might never have learned in classroom or on your computer. Three…I have found a few clients there who need work done.
In today’s economy though…you have to be more targeted to your clients. Give them more value for there buck. Also…keep your portfolio up-to-date. Target your portfolio to your specific client. Each client is different. So what portfolio you show one client…may not be the same for another.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for backing me up Dave. It’s great to hear from those that have experienced both sides of traditional and self-education. I have to wonder what the future of education will look like. I can very much understand the idea that “seminar training” may just replace traditional educational courses due for the ever growing need for instant gratification. It seems that this is the way the world is headed, but that makes me feel as if we might miss out on a lot of personal growth and development as a whole.
I graduated University with a 1st class honors Multimedia Design degree from the UK back in 07 and walked right into a job in the US because I was lucky enough to have had experience while finishing up my degree through a year long internship.
I find that every job around design, marketing, branding, requires a suitable degree these days and makes for an interesting argument. And bear with me, as I will probably go off topic here, but I believe universities don’t really teach real world skills in the business environment, far from it, but they help you “learn how to learn” so to speak. They give you the practice to show initiative, solve problems, think creatively, be productive, and have a really great work ethic, not to mention the fantastic resources, contacts and experiences it leads to. It is this reason why I believe higher education is vital to certain industries.
However, I have a good designer friend who couldn’t afford school and started up his own studio who is doing just fine. He is one of these guys who is just full of natural ability though, and was just able to “get-it” right away.
I am the friend in question who is thinking of putting on my school shoes and packing my lunch box again and the reason was to simply increase my skills in photography in a more photo journalistic/artistic manner (I have no training currently). I am put off by a few things. I don’t particularly agree with the US educational system. Required classes like Biology and Math are not going to help me. I have no professional interest in them so why do I need to waste my time/money with it? I love how in the UK, my class selection is purely based on my “major” giving a great all around approach to learning plus having consistent peers around through each class really helps build strong relationships.
The economy is tough right now. I like to think I am secure in my design job right now (tiny but mighty), but who knows. I love learning new things however, and I know that will never change. I just feel if I ever wanted a career change, no photography agency would think of me without that “educational training” behind me…