Predatory Higher Education

Anthony Holloway
Aug 29, 2017 · 3 min read

Why Aren’t Colleges Doing Their Job? Columbia University on some bullshit.

WTF Columbia, WTF?!

TLDR: So Columbia University is now accepting applications for their Masters of Science in Data Journalism which promises, “…to provide students with practical, hands-on training essential to producing deeply reported data-driven stories in the public interest.” Oh yea, the tuition with living expenses is expected to be $140,000+!

Pretty much sums it up.

Now if this shit ain’t predatory I don’t know what else is.

My immediate reaction.

This guy summed it up the best:

And this gentleman took the words out of my mouth:

Has higher education lost it’s fucking mind? Can’t we work on decreasing the wage & gender inequality gap by not putting people into more debt?

BRUH.

I feel as though Columbia is literally undermining people’s intelligence by offering this degree. Hey Columbia, we know how to use the Google Machine and how to calculate a basic return on investment. Case in point….

How can they justify this $100,000+ price tag when journalism students are graduating into a shrinking industry where the median pay is $38,870 per year?

This is predatory to say the least. What would be innovative is companies stepping up and partnering with colleges, bootcamps and other non-traditional education pathways to collaboratively train and mentor folks dedicated to learning the skills needed to succeed.

They could start apprenticeship programs which have literally been working since the dawn of human existence. These programs have been gaining tremendous traction in the tech industry lately as well.

In an article last week titled, the case for tech apprenticeships, author Kahiga Tiagha sheds some light on what the market is saying but that many companies aren’t listening to.

It is well publicized that the tech industry is experiencing a talent crunch. This is evidenced in part by oft-quoted statistics: By the year 2020, you may have heard, there will be nearly 1 million jobs that will go unfilled due to a lack of computer science graduates…..

there is room for improvement on how to identify, train and hire new technologists, especially those who are coming from non-traditional paths. And the answer may be simpler than one thinks: Practicums. Companies that are experiencing talent shortage would do well to create fellowships, internships and apprenticeships. This is an emerging, almost throwback, career pathway that is gradually being (re)adopted by the industry.

Higher Ed. Tech Companies. YOU CAN DO BETTER.

You have the resources so stop hiding behind capitalism and predatorily profiting off of people’s desire to learn and improve themselves.

Columbia cut the shit.

This Here Some Bullshit.

Ok. Rant done. I’m out.

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Anthony Holloway

Written by

Recruiter. Coach. Chief Editor of @TechDirtyWithMe. altMBA Alumni. StartingBloc Fellow. Math Geek. Foodie.

TechDirtyWithMe

Follow me for advice on leadership, personal branding, how to get ya hustle on and much more. Let’s make a ruckus together!

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