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College and the manufacturer

It’s September—another school year, another tuition payment. As always, college costs are rising faster than wages and inflation. Why, exactly? People point to the fact that it’s hard to scale up teaching; a university needs a certain amount of professors and instructors. People also point to administrative staff and student amenities: recreation centers, manicured grounds, deluxe accommodations, and other luxuries designed to attract the best and brightest students.

But I think one thing one reason isn’t discussed enough: the seemingly insatiable demand for U.S. college education. We have limited supply and a massive amount of demand. But why do we have this demand? Why do all kids absolutely need to go to college?

Part of the problem may be with the job market, which (basket-weaving majors aside) on average gives bigger paychecks to those with four-year degrees. But when you look at what people do day to day, how many people use what they learned in college on the job? Sure, I want my doctor to have advanced training. But do film studies students need four or more years of school to learn the art? Or could they learn more with experience and mentoring?

I recall visiting Europe several years ago, where I talked with several industry reporters from Switzerland. Like me, they went to journalism school. But unlike me, they did not attend a four-year university. Instead, they enrolled in a two-year trade school and apprentice program. They gained practical experience, which led them to a career in the field.

Of course, these Swiss journalists also benefited from a good, rigorous secondary education, which in many parts of the U.S. just doesn’t exist. Still, when I consider my background, I was the lucky resident of a very good public school district. After graduating high school, did I need four years of college to learn to do what I do? Probably not. Did I need journalism school? Certainly, but all the classes I took in the journalism school building probably amounted to a little over two years of education, similar to my Swiss colleagues.

Other sectors could learn a thing or two from manufacturing. I’ve talked to so many successful people in custom fabrication who didn’t attend a four-year school. Many just graduated high school. And yet, after years of climbing the ladder, they now make a very good living. Organizations like the Georgia Trade School have marketed manufacturing as a good-paying career alternative that doesn’t come with a lot of student debt. When recruiting, custom fabricators could do this too.

There’s nothing wrong with a college education, particularly if a student wants to pursue a career that (whether it’s really necessary or not) demands a college degree. And I think the college experience can be extraordinarily valuable, teaching folks (among other things) to really learn how to think. But if a college education sends young people into the working world saddled with insurmountable debt—a kind of debt that always stays with them—the college experience may do more harm than good.

About the Author
The Fabricator

Tim Heston

Senior Editor

2135 Point Blvd

Elgin, IL 60123

815-381-1314

Tim Heston, The Fabricator's senior editor, has covered the metal fabrication industry since 1998, starting his career at the American Welding Society's Welding Journal. Since then he has covered the full range of metal fabrication processes, from stamping, bending, and cutting to grinding and polishing. He joined The Fabricator's staff in October 2007.