What is the purpose of a college education?

dimpy.handa

Dimpy Handa
What is the purpose of a college education?

I believe this will pertain more towards Americans, but there seems to be three general reasons for a college education.

1) To expand one's knowledge and explore new ideas
2) To get a good job
3) As an experience, as a sort of post-adolescence, pre-adulthood state.

Most American parents, I believe, take the second view, as do a significant number of students. The entire For-profit college industry is based on this view, that the primary reason for obtaining a college degree is for professional advancement.

A significant number of American students, I believe, view the third reason as the primary motivation. College is a time to be free of parents and party hard before finally growing up. This is certainly the motivation and justification portrayed in the popular culture, through films like Animal House and Accepted.
 
The purpose of college education is not is not just to attain a degree to get a good job afterwards but may things more:
  • for the overall development of the adoloscent
  • for the confidence and passion that would make him stand apart from the rest while seeking job
  • For one's holistic development
 
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