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by Fliko
5345 days ago
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I don't know what school you went to, but the engineering school I went to put more of a focus on problem solving using relevant technology and as a result I know how to do very intense research, strategy building, and analysis from the constant nights of trying to build something after the teacher says "Here are x, y, and z components, now build this on Tuesday." I would go as far to argue that the problem solving skills I've learned in my one year of studying at a technical institute far outweigh the problem solving skills you've learned in two years of study at your school. I think the problem is bigger then liberal arts vs STEM, and has more to do with the kind of education students receive vs. what degree they are going with. I've switched to a community college very recently to pursue a math degree, but have found the education to be very dumb and drab, with the teachers giving you exact instructions on how to do everything, as opposed to my previous school's philosophy of learning the tools and then applying them by using your own brain. |
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I'd agree that skill development is far more important than degree and, along with attitude and perceived potential, its what I look for when recruiting new employees.
I've studied degrees in three countries on three continents (and taught at uni in two additional countries) and have found teaching style can destroy otherwise great potential in students. Usually the style reflects the country's perception of itself and will be tough to change. A great example is China and the hammering down of any student who sticks their head up too high to question the prof. I love being questioned and quizzed, but took weeks to get students to do this in China and was then told off by the head of faculty and the political censor. Even though they knew I'd do this when I started teaching and supposedly it was why I was hired.