Most people today believe that college is a must—if not for the
learning, as the hunting license for a decent job. So they don’t look
too closely at what colleges provide vs. other post-secondary options,
such as apprenticeships or the military.
Many respected entities have tried to warn students about college. For example, the cover story of the August 2016 issue of Consumer Reports was headlined, "I Kind of Ruined My Life by Going to College."
The Great College Degree Scam, in the prestigious Chronicle of Higher education’
reported that 60 percent of the increased number of college graduates
from 1992 to 2008 work on jobs require high school diploma.
In my private practice, I suggest that certain students would be wise
to at least defer college, but the college-is-a-must meme has been too
deeply implanted by high school counselors, the media, and the
very-convinced parents:
“You earn a million dollars more! (A canard—see my article below.) Besides, what
would I tell my friends, that my child, who could have gotten into a
brand-name college isn’t going to college at all, or ‘just’ to a
community college?”
Despite that, as we approach the May 1 deadline, the date most
colleges require prospective students to plunk down their commitment
money, I believe I should take a shot at giving you pause. I do that as my contribution today to PsychologyToday.com.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Career Care: Maximizing your chances of keeping your job and of getting promoted
There are obvious ways to improve your prospects, for example, being
smart, expert, and hardworking, but you already know that. My PsychologyToday.com article today
lists less obvious ways to maximize your prospects.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
19 and Reclusive
As today's PsychologyToday.com contribution today, I offer an interview with a 19-year old who is reclusive.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
“I’d Rather Not Be a Recluse”
The Scarfmaker
As today's PsychologyToday.com contribution, I offer the latest of my short-short stories. This is about a male retiree who thinks about taking up knitting.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Career Decisions: Three Poems By a Career Counselor
I got positive response from my previous set of poems inspired by my having been a career and personal coach to 5,000 people. So here are three more.
Monday, March 20, 2017
Life Decisions: Two poems by a career and personal coach
I've been career and personal coach to over 5,000 clients. And the longer I do it, the
less sure I am that there are clear-enough answers. Of course, it could
simply be that I'm an inadequate counselor.
In any event, as my PsychologyToday.com contribution today, I offer two poems I've written that acknowledge that lack of clarity.
In any event, as my PsychologyToday.com contribution today, I offer two poems I've written that acknowledge that lack of clarity.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Worth: A short-short story
How accurate is our self-esteem? If strong, is that helpful? I explore that briefly in my latest short-short story, published today on PsychologyToday.com.
Friday, March 17, 2017
World's Shortest Course in Leadership, Part 2
I recently wrote The World’s Shortest Course in Leadership. Perhaps it was too short because a number of readers have asked me to write a follow-up. Your wish is my command. As my PsychologyToday.com article today, here is The World's Shortest Course in Leadership, Part 2.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Strong and Kind Negotiation: An interview with Seth Freeman
As my PsychologyToday.com article today, I interview Seth Freeman, an expert on negotiation.
Monday, March 6, 2017
The World's Shortest Course in Leadership
Today, for my PsychologyToday.com article, I've given myself the challenge of offering the most useful advice I can within a five-minute read.
Thursday, March 2, 2017
'My Last Concert" A short-short story about aging
As my PsychologyToday.com article today, I offer a short-short story about aging.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
"The World's Oldest Bus Boy:" A short-short story with lessons about ageism and resilence
As my PsychologyToday.com article today, I offer another short-short story with psychological and practical implications. This one is about a 65-year-old VP who loses his job and takes a job as a busser.