Is a college education worth it? The University Has No Clothes in New York magazine http://shar.es/H7bVh suggests the answer is maybe not. Should we be encouraging everyone to get a college degree?

Asked by James Cook | 11 hours ago in Education and Schools | Open

Your public answer: “Hi James, I'd like to suggest that taking a college degree should be an option, but not the only option, for people. Other responses have focussed on the link between education and employment, which is certainly undeniable. But I feel they have overlooked other possible outcomes of having a better education - such as better citizens, musicians, artists, philosophers, designers, healthy minds, etc - all of which are also important for society to flourish. In other words, self development and self improvement are also very important. One other point often overlooked, is the demand for skilled labour. It's great pumping out thousands of lawyers, accountants, doctors etc. every year, but if there's no work for them is that a good investment for society or is it simply raising individuals' expectations only to leave them "high and dry" after so much effort. Finally, not everyone has either the need or the ability to complete such programs. Most of my children have not, and they are working and living happy lives after qualifying in shorter courses. Employers ought to be more realistic as well regarding what essential background is required of their employees - particularly things like parenting, life experience, travel, languages are often overlooked.”