"He comes from a priviliged background...he went to Cambridge"

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darkpaw

11-06-2007

Originally Posted by pinkee:
“I'll give the interviewer the benefit of the doubt, I don't think he meant to connect privilige with going to Cambridge.
Cambridge is not like it used to be. My daughter is there at the moment and a majority of her fellow students are just like her, from 'ordinary' backgrounds but obviously hard working and very intelligent. I know how hard she had to work to get there and how high the standard is that is expected of her.
If Simon graduated a year early with a 2:1 he must be incredibly intelligent but has probably not found the right vehicle for his potential.

Love Mary x”

I agree.

There are all sorts of benign reasons why people underachieve or fail to fulfil their potential. It doesn't necessarily mean they lack drive or that there is something wrong with them. It just means they haven't yet been given the right working opportunities to allow them to shine. Or there might be personal circumstances or personal illness that disadvantages them. You can have all the talent and ambition in the world but it is no use if it is not matched by job opportunities.

Also I read an article in a science journal that pointed out that highly intelligent, able people can be prone to depression or burnout if their job is not sufficiently stimulating or doesn't match their expectations or aspirations, resulting in disillusionment and withdrawal.

mdcooper

11-06-2007

Originally Posted by Striplight:
“To say that Sir Alan doesnt care about qualifications is correct.

To say that the gap is closing as a massive misjudgement.

In today's society everyone and their dog can get a degree. That has devalued the actual currency of a degree.

Are more people earning degree's based upon their ability or are more people gaining degree's based upon league tables?

Well, take your pick.

Universities (old, redbrick and new polys) are having to run remedial classed for their intake in science and engineering based subjects because current science at A level is so poor.

70% of intake into engineering courses don't understand basic mathematical principals, and by that I mean basic, addition, subtraction, division and multiplication. These people should understand the basic concepts of theoretical mathematics by this stage. If they cant ****ing add up there is a problem.

I read a blog written by a Physics teacher. I understood it, I have A level Physics. I understand Newton 3 principle laws, I've seen Young's Slit experiment and I've dabbled with Alpha and Gamma radiation.

The current 'o' level questioning for physics is , explain in your own words why environmental energy is important. That is a ****ing english essay.”

I would agree that University qualifications are devalued, because i know people i went to school with that have gone to university for the fun of it, and arent particuarly bright, but they sail through, nowadays so many people go to university, but dont think it through properly, and understand its serious!, not just a social.

30 years ago the "priveleged" were the only ones that did go to university, and it was a very posh thing to say "ive been to university", but its just not the same now adays, because anyone can get in, and it has been proved that it doesnt necessarily mean that you will get a higher paid job.

Matthew

vidalia

11-06-2007

If a university degree has been devalued then it follows that lower qualifications have also been devalued - so whereas before you would have got a higher paid job with O levels than without, a higher paid job with A levels than O levels and a higher paid job with a degree than with A levels the same still applies but it's just that a lot people say each of those qualifications today is worth less than it was thirty years ago.
What is true is that it is far harder to get a job with no qualifications at all than it was 30 years ago when you could get an apprenticeship, start at the bottom and work your way up, nowadays you need at least 5 GCSEs at grade C to get on that bottom rung.
But of course if everyone and their dog can get a degree that's not a problem is it?

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