This book addresses a critically important question regarding human capital learning in our present neo-liberal schooling context: How can contemporary career education programs be integrated into public school curricula without impacting negatively on the liberal learning, intellectual autonomy, and democratic citizenship of students? Using Aristotelian and Deweyan approaches to career education, this new work argues for a new approach to vocational education that is both liberal and democratic in nature.
CNN host and best-selling author Fareed Zakaria argues for a renewed commitment to the world’s most valuable educational tradition. The liberal arts are under attack. The governors of Florida, Texas, and North Carolina have all pledged that they will not spend taxpayer money subsidizing the liberal arts, and they seem to have an unlikely ally in President Obama. While at a General Electric plant in early 2014, Obama remarked, "I promise you, folks can make a lot more, potentially, with skilled manufacturing or the trades than they might with an art history degree." These messages are hitting home: majors like English and history, once very popular and highly respected, are in steep decline. "I get it," writes Fareed Zakaria, recalling the atmosphere in India where he grew up, which was even more obsessed with getting a skills-based education. However, the CNN host and best-selling author explains why this widely held view is mistaken and shortsighted. Zakaria eloquently expounds on the virtues of a liberal arts education—how to write clearly, how to express yourself convincingly, and how to think analytically. He turns our leaders' vocational argument on its head. American routine manufacturing jobs continue to get automated or outsourced, and specific vocational knowledge is often outdated within a few years. Engineering is a great profession, but key value-added skills you will also need are creativity, lateral thinking, design, communication, storytelling, and, more than anything, the ability to continually learn and enjoy learning—precisely the gifts of a liberal education. Zakaria argues that technology is transforming education, opening up access to the best courses and classes in a vast variety of subjects for millions around the world. We are at the dawn of the greatest expansion of the idea of a liberal education in human history.
"A must read for students standing at the edge of choosing their careers, and for others to look back and help the next generation." Dr. Vijay Patel, Technology Director, Flight control laws LCA, IFCS, ADA Bangalore. "An excellent collection of personal experiences and a narrative interspersed with real advice, opinions and actionable insights that can guide generations. A must read." Rajat Jain, business mentor for early stage startups, ex MD, Xerox India and Walt Disney India. "This remarkable book works at many levels. At one, it is a lucidly explained guide that, with the lightest of touch, hand-holds and empowers students to prepare them for what lies beyond the classroom. At another, it is a veritable manual for our work and life. As technology reshapes both, the book offers invaluable insight into what each means and how we can better navigate the increasingly permeable walls between the two." Raj Kamal Jha, engineer, journalist, novelist, and Chief Editor of The Indian Express. Blurb: Many career advice books are written by senior managers and entrepreneurs for senior managers and entrepreneurs. Other career advice books are written by people whose career consists of giving career advice. This book is written for young engineers by an engineering professor who is currently engaged in teaching and research. The book emphasizes a long-term view. Engineering is not learned in four years. If you are alert, and keep learning and integrating ideas along the way, then you slowly build up a type of understanding that newcomers cannot match. This helps you build a sustainable career. Do not be distracted by the apparent success of a few people who seem to take shortcuts. For most people, statistics will apply. For most people, and therefore probably for you as well, success will be more likely if you develop long term value.
