Things Colleges Doesn’t Want You to Realize

After a two-day training workshop at my former school, these are the things I realized.

So a few months ago I was reached by my former professor to be the resource speaker of a supposedly three-day seminar-workshop in my former school. They told me to teach the topic of web development.

At first, I was very hesitant to accept since I dropped out of college a few years ago and haven’t been on the campus for a while. I was really having second thoughts about it.

However, after consulting my wife (wives can be very persuasive), I made up my mind to share my knowledge about React JS since it’s the stack I’m most comfortable with.

Now the day came on January 30, 2020. The training was scheduled from 8 am in the morning until 4 pm. I came at around 7:50 am, went inside the room, sat on the back seat with no one there but me.

At 8:30 am, my former professor came in. We chatted for a bit. He told me that most students are hesitant to join since they don’t have the knowledge to start with the stack.

Their background in javascript or any programming topic is literally “null”. I was really sad upon hearing it. This brought me to my first realization.

1. Most College Professors are Stuck with what They’ve Learned Years Ago

Technology is quickly developing. From programming languages, web frameworks, software stacks, mobile development frameworks.

Sadly, most professors, not all, are not coping with it. As a result, they can only manage to teach the outdated one.

It dominos to the lack of enough knowledge for the industry readiness of the students. They can’t apply for a better job since the stack that they know is outdated and at most, deprecated technologies.

Finally, after more than an hour of just sitting in an empty room, the students came in.

I asked the students if they had prior knowledge about React or any web technology. Luckily, one student answered that they were taught how to program Arduino before using Python.

I was really glad to hear that. At least they have some background in programming. I saw a glimpse of hope.

Then I started probing, I asked them about basic programming problems, fundamental concepts such as ERD, requirements gathering, SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle), and whatnot.

Their questions gave me my second realization.

2. Programming is Taught Theoretically

Although the students had taken all the subjects relevant to software development such as database, data structures, programming 101, and others. It was not taught in a way where students can relate it to actual programming work.

Let me further explain this by siting students’ testimonials.

We were taught database, but we were never taught how and when to use it.

We programmed a scanner using python, but, the syntax or the logic was never explained to us.

We were taught about creating an ERD, however, the relevance was never explained.

…and the list goes on.

I believe that programming should be taught in a manner in which students can have a clear idea of what they’re doing. It needs to be taught with a goal that students must understand, and should be able to build output by the end of the lesson and not just get higher grades because they memorized all the definitions in a textbook.

Sadly, most schools are focused on accomplishing the syllabus and the passing marks rather than actually teaching software development.

3. No Guarantees

I was taught that if I can’t finish school, my life would be very hard. That I can’t be successful. That a diploma is some sort of a free pass to every life challenge.

Well, I realized that this narrative is definitely not true.

Although, I'm not saying the school is a total waste of time. Certainly, there are a lot of things that can be learned from colleges. There are companies that don’t accept employees without diplomas, especially here in the Philippines. But then again, the lack of a diploma is not a disability. Yes, it can help you, but there are no guarantees.

According to this article Stats and Facts About College Graduates Unemployment Rate (2021), “Around 53% of recent college graduates are unemployed or underemployed”.

This proves that not all graduates land on their dream jobs or any job at all.

Final Thoughts

I’m not saying ditch everything and jump straight to work. Certainly having a degree is very beneficial.

If you have the chance and capacity to finish your studies, go do it. But never make it a reason for success. Never say to yourself that “I can’t succeed coz I only went upto this level”. Its just BS.

A degree definitely is not a determining factor for success. Heck it doesn’t even make the cut of factors for success.

With the advent of technology, there are a million ways to learn. There are things online, resources, knowledge that are free. You just have to persevere and keep on learning. Keep on dreaming and grinding.

Someday soon, you’ll be there. With or without a degree.

I would love your thoughts! Comment your insights and opinions below. I would love to connect with you. Cheers!