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Why make a course out of something that which is already available by way of guidance counselors and career-assessment testing? It would appear to let counselors off-the-hook, so to speak, while simultaneously ‘dumbing-down’ our high-schools further (particularly when successful completion of a basic high-school education creates the most potential for students to succeed in a trade or advanced certification program anyway).
The question was for you; I’m not the one touting a ‘career counseling’ course for high-school students which would ‘promote’ the trades in high-school, per the thread. ;-)
1. Learning to accurately assess career goals would be dumbing down? What an odd idea, particularly when we compare it to all of the other electives that schools offer.
2. Perhaps it would be counselors teaching such a course, and if you think that every student currently gets career counseling and assessment testing...you'd be very wrong.
Learning to accurately assess career goals would be dumbing down? What an odd idea, particularly when we compare it to all of the other electives that schools offer.
It’s high-school; per your own words, you’re speaking to sophomores/juniors who don’t have a clue as to their career goals anyway i.e. it essentially amounts to a ‘blow-off class’ for easy credit (as if there weren’t enough of those already). It takes the place of another class that could focus on (and enhance or improve) one’s basic education/foundation (for students who are in most need of such, as a whole).
Quote:
Originally Posted by phetaroi
Perhaps it would be counselors teaching such a course, and if you think that every student currently gets career counseling and assessment testing...you'd be very wrong.
I don’t think improvement should come in the way of a credited class which most students wouldn’t take seriously anyway. Why not simply take measures to alter and improve career counseling/assessment testing re: the trades, if that’s the (perceived) problem, per the thread.
It’s high-school; per your own words, you’re speaking to sophomores/juniors who don’t have a clue as to their career goals anyway i.e. it essentially amounts to a ‘blow-off class’ for easy credit (as if there weren’t enough of those already). It takes the place of another class that could focus on (and enhance or improve) one’s basic education/foundation (for students who are in most need of such, as a whole).
I don’t think improvement should come in the way of a credited class which most students wouldn’t take seriously anyway. Why not simply take measures to alter and improve career counseling/assessment testing re: the trades, if that’s the (perceived) problem, per the thread.
People act like working in a trade is the greatest job in the world. Then why do so few people want to do it then? Why doesn’t society push going into trade school rather than going into college ?
People are pushing it where I live. It's CTE which has become an annoying acronym like STEM, STEAM, or whatever the new one is. Maybe people aren't going into trades because it's being misrepresented. People are saying welders, linemen, plumbers, and even flooring installers are making six figures routinely. While good money can be made in the trades, these six figure salaries are not everybody, at least if sites like Glass Door are to be believed (or people I know in the trades are EXTREMELY frugal). People that make six figures are in management, have a hell of a lot of overtime, or have put in some serious years. Plus nobody wants to acknowledge the physical aspect. It's called labor for a reason.
It is taught by certified teachers. The first three years are a broad exploration of their aptitudes and interests, researching career paths and what types of training and/or schooling are involved, finding out which schools offer those programs and what the entrance requirements are. The final year narrows down their focus, and have assistance with completing college and/or vocation program applications (the teachers are often able to get application fees waived for students whose families cannot afford them), applying for internships at local businesses, a general overview of how financial aid works. It really is a great class because it helps students take ownership of their future, and it is especially helpful for students from disadvantage backgrounds who don't have this kind of guidance at home (be it from lack of knowledge or from lack of involvement).
Gosh, when I read all that I am thankful that I live in EU where kids live at home, and don't need to have job at 12-13. They are still kids that besides homework and helping at home - all they have to do is bring home good grades. Time off from school (holidays and vacation) is spent on travel, learning languages, exploring other countries, making friends and enjoying themselves. Work will be there when they finish their education.
Kids are living at home beyond 18 y.o. and it doesn't affect their independence. In fact even elementary school kids are way more independent than teens in the US.
There is more in life than work, commercialism and spending money ...
Keep things in perspective. Trades are being suggested as alternatives to fluff degrees that leave students making $40k and $100k in debt. Not as alternatives for those destined for medical school or a high powered career.
Keep things in perspective. Trades are being suggested as alternatives to fluff degrees that leave students making $40k and $100k in debt. Not as alternatives for those destined for medical school or a high powered career.
This does make sense.
Quote:
Originally Posted by elnina
Gosh, when I read all that I am thankful that I live in EU where kids live at home, and don't need to have job at 12-13. They are still kids that besides homework and helping at home - all they have to do is bring home good grades. Time off from school (holidays and vacation) is spent on travel, learning languages, exploring other countries, making friends and enjoying themselves. Work will be there when they finish their education.
Kids are living at home beyond 18 y.o. and it doesn't affect their independence. In fact even elementary school kids are way more independent than teens in the US.
There is more in life than work, commercialism and spending money ...
I don't think most parents are raising their kids to work that much.
Keep things in perspective. Trades are being suggested as alternatives to fluff degrees that leave students making $40k and $100k in debt. Not as alternatives for those destined for medical school or a high powered career.
Exactly.
Not just the specific building trades, though, but any vocation requiring extended or advanced technical training short of a bachelor's degree. I'm calling it a "tech-prep" curriculum available alongside the usual "college prep" curriculum.
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