What are the Options?

A college degree is not the only option

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/283907111.html

Learning from dropouts doesn’t require closing colleges but questioning them. Higher education holds itself out as a universal church, outside of which there is no salvation. Critics are heretics endangering the flock. But our greatest danger comes from the herd instinct that inflames competition and crowds out difference. -- Peter Thiel, an investor and entrepreneur, is author of “Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future.” He wrote this article for the Washington Post.

Bloomington Public Schools is opening a Career Academy this coming fall.  Enrollment in two-year community colleges and specific interest and career schools continues to increase.  Are these options for success?

Southwest opened two new programs this past fall.  One was computer science and the other business. Both have partnership agreements with MCTC and working with others.  In two years both programs will have a junior, senior level IB course and examination.  Both the computer science and business programs have associate degree pathways.

Southwest continues to build a 2+2+2+2 and beyond program.  The first two years (traditionally 9th and 10th grade) are foundations.  The next two provide the strength and depth skills.  The next two years could be that associate degree and the then a college degree after two more.

What is enough and what is too much?  How can one really measure success.  A happy, satisfied, productive person facing his/her responsibilities and caring for her/his neighbors definitely is not unsuccessful.  Maybe we should look beyond the dollar signs and seek meaningful employment and life styles that makes us smile and those around us share in those smiles.

What are your options?