While I don't disagree with the author's point that people should have opportunities to go to college, I don't think this is a particularly applicable example.
One of the most annoying parts of getting a degree was doing mandatory classes for stuff I had no interest in whatsoever, but it was core curriculum. Maybe they just couldn’t be bothered to complete the course? Tangentially, this is one of the biggest signals a degree gives to to employers: that you’re the type of person that will do things to completion, even if you don’t enjoy it or find it interesting. That’s a very good character trait in a work environment.
Those added requirements are intended to make you a rounded, thinking human—not just a short circuit to more money and a comfortable life.
In my experience employers are caring less and less about a university degree.
What employers do love is pedigree in workshops. “We’re an ex- Googler, ex- Amazon, ex- Palantir, ex- Goldman Sachs” suddenly means the company is inexplicably inherently more valuable and trustworthy. Is it?
Pedigree is exactly the same type of empty credential as a college degree, though, and employers like it for the same reason. It allows the person who makes the inevitable bad hire to deflect blame when the "why did you hire this person?" question gets asked. Hire someone from Podunk State University, or Another Failed Startup and it will look like you have bad judgment. Hire someone from Harvard / Google, then it just gets chalked up to bad luck.
This is a concept that only applies to certain schools.
It's not. See my comment above.
More specifically, you're the type of person who'll do things to completion if you are forced to. Not so different from a company employee I guess.
In the context of these comments, perhaps college teaches some people to do soul-crushing things — as the «reward» is not quite worthy and not really connected to what they're doing.
This is a difficult and complex topic.
If your tribe celebrates it for sufficient gain as long as there is no direct physical violence, as I think the environment in many families/socioeconomic circles of the US does, then ethics courses are just a cover your ass solution.
Most people legitimately want to think of themselves as good people, instructing them on making sure that the rest of society views them this way can be very valuable.
If you are being introduced to ethics in college, it's too late.
Can character be taught?
Hah. Good point.
I can't say that I took a single course that I couldn't have picked up simply by reading a book or two and applying a bit of self-discipline.
Professional credentials aside, I think that the modern university is relatively valueless aside from the few cases that require expensive facilities.