A Curated Skill Set May Replace Traditional Degrees

Matt Pittinsky and Mike Buttry suggest that universities may begin offering short academic programs that meet the needs of adult students who need certifications in a special area. The vision of Pattinsky and Buttry is that the cost of a traditional bachelor's degree is excessive when a working degree only needs a specialized skillset to update their vocational knowledge. They feel that students will work with universities to curate their own programs of study which target their vocation.

My own opinion is that the bachelor's degree will continue to offer a cachet to any student, and that the type of rapidly acheived vocationally-targeted recognition which Pittinsky and Buttry are proposing is already offered by vocational schools and community colleges.

-DD

The Value of the Bachelor's Degree

Patrick Thibodeau analyzed "The New York City Tech Economy" looking at wage rates for technicians without technical degrees, He found that a Bachelor's degree is an unnecessary path to technical employment. The extensive debate in the article comments indicates that Thibodeau's conclusion is not shared by all technology professionals, and many indicate that the degree inculcated new ways of thinking which are vital to their work.

-DD