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Jan. 22, 2005 The age-old debate continues! This season of Donald Trump's popular reality show, “The Apprentice”, has candidates divided not according to gender, but background. Two teams, (comprising the best and the brightest in the country), have been established to declare a winner for a top position in Trump’s empire. BOOKSMARTS (as the name implies), is made up of men and women who have attended college and attained degrees in various disciplines. Some with conferred degrees from the most prestigious learning institutions of our nation. STREETSMARTS consists of successful entrepreneurs and business leaders who have a high school education, street savvy, people skills, and know how to make hard work work in their favor! Who will win? Which team is better? Though I have the benefit of a college education and two degrees, I find myself secretly rooting for STREETSMARTS. I went back to college later in life, working in Corporate America for many years, without my degrees. And I know what it’s like to have one’s ability overlooked for lack of formal credentials. I witnessed the preferential treatment given to young college graduates. How those of us with many years of seniority and expertise were pushed aside like cattle for their accommodation. We were bright and skilled enough to train them, but not good enough to maintain their positions. Somehow I couldn’t see the logic or the justice. Don’t get me wrong. I feel very blessed and grateful for my college experience, and how it has increased my earning potential and my options. But truth is, not everyone is cut out for college. And some simply cannot afford it. Yet, there is a prevailing misconception in this society that those with a college degree are better and brighter than those without. Hogwash. Intellect and ability are based on many things: genetics, desire, experience, environment, etc. And there are things of value that simply can’t be learned in a textbook. Things like survival skills, strategic thinking, decision making, common sense, and compassion. Some of the greatest leaders of our times did not have the benefit of a degree, but have made valuable contributions. There is something to be said for experiential learning. And book knowledge has value as well. Today’s effective leader should ideally have both! Besides, ISM in any form bothers me-- classism, racism, sexism, elitism, or ageism. ------------ About the author: Jennifer Brown Banks is an award-winning poet and popular feature writer. She is the founder and president of Poets United to Advance the Arts. Her upcoming book of poetry, "A Paradox in Pink" is scheduled to be released in Spring 2005. Email: jenniferwriter@yahoo.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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