Point - Counterpoint

Today I'm going to argue with my pal Dave.... He argues that having a degree is more important than where you got it. I agree wholly, except -- where you get your education is important.

Another little secret: Your choice of school matters, not so much because of the prestige of having a degree from a name school, but rather the people and expectations at that school. (The following from my presentation to high schoolers "How to make more money as a teenager...in ten easy steps")

Half you education is learning.*
The other half is the people you meet and the experiences you have.

So its not about having a degree in post-modern history. Its about getting a degree in post-modern history.

Your choice of school matters because of their expectations of you (high or low) and what sort of teacher and student that university attracts. If you a re a great tuba player in your high school, you will still be pretty good at most colleges. Except if you go the tuba player's school. (Tuba U?) Then, and only then will you be challenged because everybody there is good, and the expectation is very high. Why would someone choose to do something very hard? Because there, the rewards are greatest.

Today's BIG IDEA: Education matters. Pick a school where the people are interesting and challenge you. Often this means looking all over for a good fit, the right programs or changing schools. Look at lots of possibilities. Change schools if necessary. Stretch yourself - move away from your comfort zone. The choice of university makes a huge difference on your future employment yes. But it makes an even bigger difference on the future you.

Todays big idea two ( BONUS!) This rule might be expressed as picking a school that will challenge you academically. Or as one that has interesting classes, programs or great teachers. Or as picking the best school you can afford.


{*Learning both in your field, a more general 'liberal education,' about yourself and learning about learning. Oh, and the tough discipline it takes to comples a 4 year project involving hundreds of steps.)

I have bought items from Hong Kong, West Virginia, Washington and Ohio - All in the past month. They had what I needed, the prices were good and the service was fast. Could I have found these items locally? Maybe. With quite a bit of work. At a greater price.

We live in a global economy. Using ebay, I can buy juggling clubs from a performer in Baltimore nearly as easily as I can from the juggler down the street. The on-line selection is 10,000 times greater than at local stores and items are much easier to find.

Yes, I shop locally. But not because of some philosophical bent. Buying gas or groceries on-line are problematic. The internet restaurant is still a business model with a few key flaws. But as an overall choice, I'll rather buy globally. Paying more for slower service, a smaller selection or the same product is anti-Darwinian. You are supporting a model that won't evolve.

A perfect example of this is GM. Did you buy a General Motors or other American made car? If you did, then you supported, with your dollars, a specific, geographic, economy. Or did you go with a technologically better vehicle, with a cooler design or better mileage? Me too.

Big idea: Shop globally.