Audrey C
Well-known member
For what it's worth, I completely agree with you that it's important that students work through school. I don't know many people who are prepared to take a chance on a new grad who has never worked a day in her or her life. It's amazing how many resumes we get from people like that. It is NOT an advantage, even if your average was a bit higher as a result. That demonstrates academic ability, but doesn't say a word about work ethic or the ability to get along with other people.About university education...
Every experience is different and you learn from mistakes and sacrifices.
One of problems were that my parents were against me having a job throughout my college years (something that hindered me greatly because of lack of experience) and they didn't want me out of the house--a good and bad thing because this can mean many things and limitations afterwards.--all this because they didn't wanted me to be in debt and struggle financially like they did at some point. To me, a college education is extremely important and without it I'm nothing, but without a job I'm still nothing because no matter how fancy your education is, if you don't have job, then your education was pointless.
They really should outlaw unpaid internships because it isn't fair for any struggling college student who have to make ends meet.
In other words, I think it's ok for parents to pay for their child's education if they want and have the means to pay, but the child should also work (a part-time job at least) as soon as you leave high school so that they can learn about how to budget, pay for finances (start with a phone or an internet bill or help a bit the tuition bill), and basically learn how to manage their life.
My eldest two currently have part-time jobs and I expect that to continue when they start university this fall. I worked 30 hours a week to put myself through university; that was too many. But 10-12 or so? That should be manageable. I work 60-70 and run a house. Time management skills are important and must be developed. Mine want to continue living at home (we live near Toronto and a couple of Canada's top universities are within easy commuting distance); that means that they don't even have to shop for groceries, go to a laundromat (they can do their own here), etc. There should be time to work.
I could not agree more about unpaid internships. I think they're inexcusable. If it's not a fundamental part of the university curriculum (like my daughter's clinical requirements for nursing) then it shouldn't be permitted. I understand that in some fields (medical ones in particular, but I'm sure there are others) it's a requirement that students learn by watching/doing. I have no issue with that. None of us want to go to a doc who's never actually examined anyone, just learned about it from a book. But when businesses start using recent graduates to do work that they otherwise would have paid for, it's indefensible.