Forget college debt. Forget dead-end jobs. Matt and Maxim Smith share the blueprint for becoming capable, courageous, and even dangerous in today’s world.
I don't believe that a college education is for everyone. The problem, however, is that some fields of endeavor are closed to you if you do not follow that route.
You do not have to stop everything and "immerse yourself in the college experience." Most of that "college experience" is better avoided. There is too much partying, going to extracurricular events that you could just as well attend without paying the ridiculous expense, and indoctrination.
The worst trap that people fall into is going into the system without knowing how the system works and not having any real thought out goals beyond just getting a degree in "something." They end up wasting their time and their money and then they are left paying for their ignorance for years. Many think that they can outsmart the system and create their own degree that isn't worth the paper it is printed on working at a job that doesn't even require the degree.
Alternatively, they end up with a stack of degrees that are only useful within the college system. Don't get me wrong. I am big fan of esoteric knowledge. But many of the degrees that colleges offer are only useful for filling a very limited number of positions teaching other people to teach the same information and have no relevance outside the outside the system.
Even in the over-hyped STEM fields there are problems. An undergraduate degree in the STEM fields usually doesn't even qualify you for an entry level position. More usually, a Ph.D. is required to get your foot in the door.
All that said, there is an upside. If you are talented and dedicated, you can get through the gauntlet on a free ride. There are lots of scholarships, assistantships, and internships available that will pay your way. If you are not good enough to get them, maybe you should rethink the whole student loan idea rather than racking up debt.
This is such an interesting and inspiring conversation about alternatives to a ‘traditional education ‘ that is mostly defunct now.
I especially liked Maxim saying the instability of the world added to his motivation. We need young people of Maxim’s caliber , character and experiences to create a better future.
Hurrah, for The Preparation , reading the book is a way to challenge yourself and the status quo.
On the same topic, great companion book for youngsters: Worthless by Aaron Clarey https://www.amazon.com/Worthless-Young-Persons-Indispensable-Choosing/dp/1467978302
I don't believe that a college education is for everyone. The problem, however, is that some fields of endeavor are closed to you if you do not follow that route.
You do not have to stop everything and "immerse yourself in the college experience." Most of that "college experience" is better avoided. There is too much partying, going to extracurricular events that you could just as well attend without paying the ridiculous expense, and indoctrination.
The worst trap that people fall into is going into the system without knowing how the system works and not having any real thought out goals beyond just getting a degree in "something." They end up wasting their time and their money and then they are left paying for their ignorance for years. Many think that they can outsmart the system and create their own degree that isn't worth the paper it is printed on working at a job that doesn't even require the degree.
Alternatively, they end up with a stack of degrees that are only useful within the college system. Don't get me wrong. I am big fan of esoteric knowledge. But many of the degrees that colleges offer are only useful for filling a very limited number of positions teaching other people to teach the same information and have no relevance outside the outside the system.
Even in the over-hyped STEM fields there are problems. An undergraduate degree in the STEM fields usually doesn't even qualify you for an entry level position. More usually, a Ph.D. is required to get your foot in the door.
All that said, there is an upside. If you are talented and dedicated, you can get through the gauntlet on a free ride. There are lots of scholarships, assistantships, and internships available that will pay your way. If you are not good enough to get them, maybe you should rethink the whole student loan idea rather than racking up debt.
This is such an interesting and inspiring conversation about alternatives to a ‘traditional education ‘ that is mostly defunct now.
I especially liked Maxim saying the instability of the world added to his motivation. We need young people of Maxim’s caliber , character and experiences to create a better future.
Hurrah, for The Preparation , reading the book is a way to challenge yourself and the status quo.