College-Bound or Career-Bound

What is the purpose of a college education today?  Is it:

A) Learn to be a great thinker

B) Obtain a degree

C) Teach life skills (career management included)

D) Learn cutting edge technology and methodologies

E) None of the above

From where I stand, most colleges don't understand how to prepare students for life after college.  Two recent posts from great authorities on career management both find flaws with college career centers. 

Career Management, It Take a Village from CareerSolvers (@barbarasafani)

Safani says:

"But nowhere on any of the handouts was there information concerning college career and placement offices…"

"...Schools need to have proactive career planning and placement offices that know how to help students land plum internships and counselors that can help students market themselves effectively on their resume. They need strong relationships with employers and they need to be up to speed on the importance of social media in a job search."

How to Manage a College Education from Penelope Trunk's Brazen Careerist (@penelopetrunk)

Trunk points out:

• Career centers cater to companies, not candidates.
• Career centers don’t understand social media.
• Career center staff is self-selecting for under-performance.
• Pick a school based on their track record for getting students jobs

If this is the reality, then parents need to teach career management to their children, and at an early age- pre-college.  The best way to do this is to show by example.  Live your life and be in control of your career.  Know how to change with the times, understand how past experiences relate to future employers, be able to sell those experiences and invest in your own professional development.  No one else can do this for you.

Comments

[Career Sherpa]

@Working Girl: Thanks for your comment! I think college can be a great preparatory step. We all just need to get on the same page as to what the purpose of a college education is.

@Mikelally, LOL. Thanks!

[Working Girl]

Good thoughts. I guess college *never* prepared us for real life. But then it never used to be framed as the be-all/end-all of the happy, successful life.

[mikelally]

I also love that first video from Seth/JT - can't find the link - even if Seth is blatantly ripping off Tom Peters from 10 or more years ago. Schools were meant to condition us for life in a factory. Well guess what - no more factories. And schools haven't caught up. There is already the Morgan School of Driving. I think we need Morgan University!!!