Non-Traditional (Part 4)

Yep, there's quite a gap between this one and the one before - no question about it. I said I was going to try to blog as often as possible, not that I was making any guarantees.

But I'm going to keep trying.

****

It started when I asked one of my younger classmates why he was in school – an education, or a degree. Quite proudly, he answered, “an education.”

So did the next one. I asked a few more.

"I want an education,” each of them said. Though about half qualified their statement by stressing they wanted an education and a degree, or they wanted an education, but also needed credits to transfer to a four-year college. Each of them answered “education” when I made them pick one.

I knew they would.

You see, I picked those students that seemed prepared. The ones who had the textbooks early. The ones who took notes. The ones who interacted with the instructors.

I asked a couple of others. I don’t need to describe them, do I? You know which ones – the ones that curl their lashes in class, and leave in the earbuds, and can’t be bothered to show up on time, if at all, and who have a multitude of excuses as to why they showed up without notes, textbooks, or anything to write with.

They wanted degrees.

Even when I asked one of these future leaders of America what he wanted to degree in, he said, “dunno.”

It gets better. When some of those non-education-wanting degree-seekers did have an idea what they wanted to be when they got that degree, it was often one of the usual suspects:

“I’m going to be a fashion designer.”

“I want to be a musician.”

“I’m going to own my own restaurant.”

“I want to be an event planner.” Question, Ms. Future Planner of Social Engagements – shouldn’t one be on time to one’s engagements? Just a little hint.

Not that I’m knocking anyone’s dreams. I’m not. But there is a vast disconnect at any level of school between the student who sets out to seek his education and lets that help guide her path to success and the student who shows up late, snoozes under his cap, and can’t be bothered to find his book, yet is convinced he’s got a future career as a music mogul.

Gonna start a hip-hop/death mariachi record label

There’s no punchline to this one, just a bit of lingering wonderment. I recognize that this is a bit of cross-generational rupture, and you should realize that I know it.

And if you think I’m entirely wrong… try it. Find one of the slackers and ask. Or better yet, find one of those well-prepared young men and women and ask them if they think a degree or an education is more important.

I bet I know what they’ll all say.

*****

By the way, I got back my first Business test this week. Aced it – only perfect score in the class of 40 or so.