Liberal Arts degrees

[Shemrat]

So.. Liberal Arts degrees are great and can enrich your life not to mention enhance job possibilities, AS LONG AS the degree holder has some other career/life experience that they bring to the table, OR they're willing to start at the very bottom and work their way up. While they may get lucky and find a great job right away, it is harder when you don't have a set skill and are ready to work.

BANG! You hit the nail right on the head!

My comment was simply defending the value of the diverse requirements of an undergrad degree itself which expands the breadth of study beyond the area of focus. The 3-year Indian model that was mentioned earlier is regarded as a vocational training/certification-based endeavor here in the U.S. and it is my personal belief that the difference between the apprenticeship/vocational education/certification/etc. and the undergrad degree is appropriate. The bachelor's degree, in addition to expressing a particular skill-set or area of study, also indicates that the recipient is capable of sitting their butt down in a chair and learning a vast array of topics regardless of the level of personal interest derived from taking them. A degree shows employers that the individual is capable of working through a system to its finality.

This is in no way intending to deviate from the value of certifications and technical training as they, too, present a skill-set and dedication all within their own realm. It is up to the individual which path is in accordance to their goals. If one wishes to be a dental hygienist, a plumber, or any of a multitude of other professions within that technical realm, then perhaps Underwater Basket Weaving (played to death ) is better off missing from the agenda.

But yes, I certainly believe one may be more marketable with an area of focus in addition to the series of underwater basket weaving courses (no pun intended) than without. A Liberal Arts degree is perfectly admirable in my eyes, but I do recognize an inherent distinction between the potential values placed on degrees.

The soapbox broke. Can I borrow yours?