Pirate's Cove

That there is the main problem: “purpose”

Opinion | America’s teens still see college as a pathway to purpose

As college decision day approaches on May 1, thousands of high school seniors across Minnesota and the nation are deciding where to go next and what kind of future they want to build.

The conversation about higher education often focuses on cost, skepticism and whether college is still worth it. As a professor, I have a front-row seat to something different.

Every day, I see students who want to make a difference — fighting hunger, protecting our forests and water, improving human health and strengthening communities to leave the world a better place.

New findings from the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) backs up this notion, showing American teens still believe education is essential to that future. In a recent national survey, 89% of teens said higher education plays an important role in helping society solve major challenges such as food security and climate change. Ninety-three percent said science, technology and innovation are essential to addressing hunger, protecting the environment and improving agriculture.

A college degree is worth what the degree is in, and, too many of the yutes are not looking for hard sciences, hard disciplines. It’s mostly squishy stuff, degrees ending in “Studies” and such. How many are getting degrees in installing solar panels, building hydo-electric dams, making wind turbines? Sciences in order to create actual cleaner energy sources? Figuring out a way to make solar panels less environmentally damaging and able to gather more power? Storage options? Turning roads into solar energy collectors? No, they mostly learn about spreading awareness and how to live off the taxpayer teet.

How many are trying to be scientists, engineers, medical doctors/nurses/technicians and stuff?

These statistics are a clear reminder that young people see a university degree not simply as a credential, but as a path toward purpose.

At the same time, a four-year college is not the right path for every student. For the many students who do choose college, however, the message from this survey is clear: They are looking for more than a diploma. They want hands-on experience, real-world opportunities and the chance to contribute to society, an emphasis reflected in the university’s strategic priority on experiential learning.

Some see a purpose in getting a degree in finance, and making a lot of money. Too many see a degree as a way to live their Main Character Syndrome life, just like they do online. They’ve been taught that They Are Special, hence they think they are the ones who can solve everything.

For years, I taught a senior-level course in which students worked with community organizations to address challenges such as food insecurity and access to healthy food. The projects were difficult and time-consuming, so each year I asked whether I should eliminate them. The answer was always an emphatic no. Students said these real-world experiences helped them build skills, solve problems and prepare for their future careers.

It’s cute and all, but, they aren’t learning actual distribution skills, they’re learning to yap and get others to do the actual work, while 80% of the government money they all depend on disappears into everything but helping the people it is supposed to help. These are all squishy things, almost totally dependent on government. And the kiddies are racking up huge debt for this which they do not seem to be able to dig out from.

That is especially important in fields tied to agriculture, food, sustainability and natural resources — career areas in which nearly one-third of teens have interest. These are careers that will help Minnesota and the nation solve the grand challenge of equitably feeding a growing population while preserving and protecting the planet. They help students learn about ways to produce affordable, nutritious food, protect natural resources, equitably support rural communities and prepare for a changing climate.

Sigh. They aren’t learning agriculture and things, they are learning to boss people around, to dictate on things they really do not know about, to tell others what they can and can’t eat. It’s all very high-toned and fancy too-doo. Almost all these graduates bring little value, much like influencers at Coachella.