Canadian College’s provide the missing link between people and their careers. Teacher, Katie Marti writes for Study Magazine that: “Colleges are far more goal-oriented (than University). They tend to be full of people who mean business, often times after having finished a generic university degree program and realizing that what they really want to do requires more specific training. Therefore, I would suggest to you that while people may go to university because they can, they go to college because they should.”
It is true that many people who attend college have a vast background of education. They come to college to learn the hands-on skills and experience that apply to a work-force, and not just a highly academic existence. College students are dedicated to perusing a life-long passion and career. They are loyal to their craft and College shapes them from theory-based learners to employable and skilled workers.
College instills:
• An ability to engage in critical thinking, problem-solving and work in interdisciplinary, cross-functional teams.
• People skills, including interpersonal communication, flexibility, respectability and emotional intelligence.
The Pacific Standard states that “today’s work more often involves creativity, critical thinking, and personal interaction. Employees with interdisciplinary training have a leg up.”
“Universities are clearly and demonstrably elitist in many aspects of their work” –Ken Coates, National Post Opinion Editorial
Which is fine! It’s their job to be elitist and selective in who they offer enrollment and award degrees to. But, University’s are not, and have NEVER been designed to optimize students employ-ability or kick-start their career.
University does serve a meaningful purpose, to shape individuals into philosophical and higher level thinkers. University profs seek to inspire their students to become better citizens and polished academics. They do not intend to prepare pupils for job interviews, financial realities or hands-on experiences.
Often times, University classes are being taught by TA’s, who also do most of the grading. The relationships that students have with University professors is not intimate, especially in the first year of study. Instructors expect students to be fully prepared to succeed independently, prior to enrollment.
“Colleges, on the other hand, tend to have much smaller class sizes and a wide variety of instructors who have proven to be experts in their particular field. The work is specific and applicable. It’s quality over quantity in most cases.”- Study Magazine
“In 2013, 68% of students picked “getting a good job” or “preparing for a career” as the most important reason to attend university; only 16% picked “increasing knowledge in a specific field” or “getting a good general education”. – Source
It’s clear that college is now offering students the type of education they WANT to invest in. College’s continue to evolve to both students and employer needs, which is what makes these institutions the driver of efficient change in our modern world.
