In the week where our Prime Minister announces plans to limit access to university degrees based on what students might earn after graduation, I reflect on my time at University.
I started my studies for BA (Hons) Creative Event Management at Falmouth University, 13 years ago. A course that, as an 18 year old, mirrored my aspirations and abilities to work in creative logistics.
My course was brand new, exciting and inspired a whole new world of opportunities that I didn’t have in my hometown.
I could do anything with my degree.
Do I work in Events now? No. But do I use the skills that I spent 3 years honing, yes, 100%.
But then I think about those who graduated from this course between 2020 and 2022.
Prospects of a career in Event Management or Tourism would have been almost Zero due to COVID restrictions. Does that mean the course should be restricted? No! The skills learned in these settings are more than the title of the course. They are life skills. Adaptable.
Not always about transactions
Education is more than a transaction and Universities should have the ability to offer courses that enrich and develop students lives, not based on salary, but based on the innate need to feed curiosity, human development and fulfilment.
I’m sad to hear our education system is experiencing an attack on discovery. And I fear that, in a not so distant future, we will see courses for creative and humanities fade away, whilst money making courses prosper.
And for those who’s superpower is creativity? New ways to path a career will blossom, but it won’t be without struggle. But us artsy people are used to that, eh.
What do you think the future of Universities will look like?