Education in Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat

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"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world (Nelson Mandela). Although college may not be for everyone more people should look into getting a college degree. It is true that vocational and technical schools are good, although it limits people from exploring other areas of study that can lead to other career interests or opportunities. People should pursue going to college because most employers look to hire people with a two year degree or four year degree. According to CBS news “Now more than half of employers require some college, such as a two-year associate's degree, and 44 percent demand a 4-year degree.” A college degree is more general and leaves you open to more options on a career. Thomas Friedman, author of The World is Flat discusses how this new era called globalizing 3.0 “makes it possible for so many more people to plug in and play, and you are going to see every color of the human rainbow take part(11).”In making this comment, Friedman’s point is that “what’s really new, really exciting, and really terrifying about this era of globalization is that it is built around individuals. What is really new about this era is that we now have individuals that can compete, connect, and collaborate globally as individuals (Thomas L. Friedman Lectures on the World is Flat 3.0).” This, he said, provided equal opportunity for everyone to take part. Friedman states “But first you need dots to connect. And to me that means a liberal arts education (316).” We need more rigorous training in math and science, but art music and literature are essential for innovation as well. Though vocational and technical schools are a great start more people should continue their education to earn a college deg...

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...refore, if America strives to further their education and earn a college degree America can fill in the education gap at the top, the ambition gap, and the funding gap.

Work Cited
Hacker, Andrew. "Everyone Should Go to College." The Daily Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast, 28 Aug. 2011. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.
Kristof, Kathy. "Got College? Hiring Standards Are Rising." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 28 Mar. 2013. Web. 25 Jan. 2014.
Mandela, Nelson. "“Education Is the Most Powerful Weapon Which You Can Use to Change the World.”." Goodreads. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2014.
Mirgani, Suzi. "Thomas L. Friedman Lectures on the World Is Flat 3.0." Center for International and Regional Studies -. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2014.
"Trade School vs. College - What You Need to Know." North American Trade Schools Trade School vs College Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014

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