Rethinking College

I resonate with those who criticize the relevance of much of what is taught in college concerning job readiness. If a course cannot be defended as a means to enhance earning potential, why is it labeled as an “investment” and priced as such?

However, let me clarify that my intention is not to advocate against my profession.

In fact, I take great pride in the work we accomplish within my sector of Higher Education, as I have witnessed the profound transformations it can bring about. This is particularly true for lucrative vocational training programs in fields such as cybersecurity, electrical power generation, or ophthalmology, which require specialized training from skilled professionals. These programs offer tremendous value, equipping you with marketable skills and certifications from reputable institutions that strengthen your position in the job market.

Sadly, the majority of the 7.75 billion people worldwide lack access to institutions like Palm Beach State College.

Whether you’re residing in a remote area with no educational facilities or are hesitant to incur significant debt at a young age, there’s promising news. Technology has ushered in a plethora of excellent self-education options. I have personally utilized many of these resources and am eager to share them. If you have additional recommendations, please leave a comment!

My Own Transformation

At its core, education is a transformative experience. While institutions can facilitate this process, they are not mandatory. Many of history’s most brilliant minds have been self-taught.

After obtaining my bachelor’s degree, instead of investing further in a master's or doctorate, I have turned to free resources to explore my interests independently.

My first Harvard course was in 2009, titled "Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?" by Michael Sandel. Since then, I’ve enrolled in numerous courses, with my favorite being Yuval Noah Harari’s "A Brief History of Mankind," which I particularly enjoy listening to while jogging.

Among computer science courses, Harvard professor David Malan's CS50 stands out as my favorite. I have also appreciated learning about Blockchain and Money from Gary Gensler at MIT. Currently, I’m delving into machine learning with Andrew Ng and a more hands-on course with Andreas Mueller. You can follow my journey here.

These notes primarily serve as my reference, but I’m sharing them publicly in case they assist others.

The most valuable content often isn’t directly tied to universities, as seen in the free negotiation training offered by the Black Swan Group. Before diving into any of this, I learned essential learning strategies from Jim Kwik, and one of my earliest and most influential mentors was Tony Robbins.

I acknowledge that self-directed study has its drawbacks. You won’t earn credits or degrees, which remain essential for career advancement in many organizations. Furthermore, completion rates for online courses are typically low, hovering around 2–10%.

However, degrees are less critical if you aspire to launch your own business, which an impressive 63% of individuals under 30 wish to do, according to Inc.

The autodidactic approach demands a great deal of self-discipline, intrinsic motivation, and genuine curiosity to facilitate meaningful learning. Unfortunately, many individuals struggle in this area. With corporations vying for our attention, distractions akin to junk food are ubiquitous. For many, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Netflix offer far too much stimulation, making it challenging to focus on rigorous learning.

Yet, with an internet connection, a basic device capable of streaming videos and downloading PDFs, and, most importantly, the ability to concentrate, there’s nothing stopping you from learning. You can acquire knowledge on virtually any topic.

Only Learn STEM?

While the humanities offer captivating subjects, they often prove more challenging to translate into profitable careers compared to STEM fields or vocational training such as HVAC or nursing. Does this imply I believe no one should study subjects like art appreciation, marine biology, gender theory, poetry, or ancient literature?

Not at all.

My study of history has equipped me with insights into the educational philosophies of figures like America’s second president, John Adams.

> "I could fill volumes with descriptions of temples and palaces, paintings, sculptures, tapestry, porcelain, etc., etc., etc. — if I could have time. But I could not do this without neglecting my duty. The science of government it is my duty to study, more than all other sciences: the art of legislation and administration and negotiation ought to take place, indeed to exclude in a manner all other arts. I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."

For those fortunate enough to have wealth and privilege, the world is your oyster; you can pursue any field at any institution without hesitation. Wealthy parents can easily afford an $80,000 degree in ancient Greek philosophy from Harvard without blinking an eye.

However, for the rest of us who don’t enjoy such luxuries, we must adopt a more strategic approach. While our circumstances may not be as dire as those faced by John Adams, we must take initiative to learn what we need and take action to create our own opportunities.

That said, I dedicate a significant portion of my free time to researching topics that intrigue me. There are countless subjects I deem crucial for enhancing the quality of life, even if they don’t directly correlate with income.

My message isn’t to dismiss the humanities. Rather, I advocate for the idea that instead of incurring massive debt for a formal education in non-employment majors, you can and should pursue the humanities independently and for free (or potentially even profitably—read on for more information).

Avoid spending thousands on a degree in a field with limited job prospects. My advice is to explore subjects like health, history, geopolitics, philosophy, mathematics, science, and art using the vast array of free online resources available.

You truly don’t need to pay. Even without a local library, you can download the Harvard Classics FREE of charge.

Here’s how to elevate your learning experience. Over the past year, I’ve become a writer on Medium. This journey has revealed that many of history's most brilliant individuals have been writers. Writing enhances your cognitive abilities, allowing you to synthesize information more effectively. As you write, you not only learn to communicate your ideas clearly but also identify the actions necessary to propel your goals forward.

The icing on the cake? Instead of paying thousands for writing instruction, I’ve earned approximately $500 (minus a $60 annual subscription) and cultivated my own small audience! This endeavor has compelled me to dive deeply into fascinating topics, ranging from NFTs to nuclear energy.

If you wish to gain access to thousands of talented writers who have taught me the art of writing and become eligible for compensation for your work, consider signing up for my email list and subscribing here.

A Medium subscription is undoubtedly the best $5 per month I’ve ever spent. However, like any educational or life endeavor, the value you receive depends on the effort you put in.