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Letters to the Editor
College isn’t always the best path for students
Thank you for the March 7 editorial (“College-bound not always the answer to career choice”). I am pleased that someone else is announcing that a college degree does not guarantee a good job and a good paycheck. I am not suggesting that I would deter someone from advancing his or her education, but I am saying that I would never chastise someone who chose a technical or non-traditional career path over a college degree.
As director of the Lowcountry Manufacturers Council, I have become very aware of the failure of our education system to give America’s youth the skills and work ethic needed for gainful employment. Manufacturers provide incredible career opportunities with above average wages, many of which do not require a college degree. However, manufacturers cannot find employees. Some of the problem can be attributed to parents and teachers failing to promote such career fields. The result is that those who are not interested in the college path may be left behind or drop out. A vocational path could have been the right choice for them.
Why is there such a focus on college and only college?
I have often commented that our society now practices “Educationism,” which I define as a form of discrimination against those without a college degree and a preference for the college educated. Many job descriptions now list a college degree as a requirement even when the job could be done by anyone with the right experience and skills. Social gatherings often include conversations about educational accomplishments, and I feel for those who cannot give the name of a recognized four-year institution. I recently attended a conference where one of the speakers pointed out that most will agree that a vocational education is great, but “not for my child.”
I applaud you for publicizing the dirty truth that a college degree is no longer a magic pill for a successful career or the only way to gain respect from others. Instead, we need to focus on not only educating our youth, but on making sure they are able to proficiently use the skills they learn. In addition, our youth needs to be exposed to all avenues that may lead to a rewarding future, not just one shrouded in sheepskin.
‑Jennifer Robson DeWitt
Lowcountry Manufacturers Council
Charleston Metro Chamber of
Commerce
College of Charleston offers free nicotine dependency recovery seminar
Charleston area employers have tremendous incentive to reach out to smoking employees. Smokers cost an average of $1,429 per year in annual increased health care costs. Four 10-minute smoke breaks per day produce a one-month loss in annual productivity. Smoking will cost 25% of smokers an average of 22.5 years of life, making a birthday near their 50th their last. Half will lose an average of 15.3 years of life.
College of Charleston Counseling & Substance Abuse Services has scheduled its next cessation education program with Charleston area employers and employees in mind. Freedom from Nicotine, a free nicotine dependency recovery seminar, will be presented on Wednesday, May 18, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Arnold Hall.
Regardless of when employees plan on quitting, their odds of succeeding are dismal (less than 5% by one year) unless they at some point invest the time needed to learn the keys to success. The college’s program can prepare them to succeed but only if it can find a way to get them to class. It’s our hope that caring area employers will provide the incentive to attend.
For more information, call the college’s health educator at 442-5522 or visit www.whyquit.com/cofc.
John R. Polito
Nicotine cessation educator
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