How Did Freeman Hrabowski Colleges Prepare People For Life Summary

In "Colleges Prepare People For Life," Freeman Hrabowski counter argues a New York Times picture stating that "college is for suckers" (259). Hrabowski replies by saying "College graduates aren't suckers, they're the winners in a globally competitive economy" (259). He highlights the importance of a college education in a rapidly growing economy. He also includes other values gained from a college experience, including preparation for a career, increased openness to diversity, and a skillset necessary to be successful in all aspects of life (259-260). These values correspond with what some of the graduates who experienced college firsthand stated in the NPR interview titled "The Value of a College Education." Alejandra Gonzalez, a University

He explains in-depth the determination and dedication it takes to be successful in the blue-collar setting. Rose includes stories about his mother working as a waitress and his uncle at General Motors. He was able to observe the relationship they established with their environment and study the complex psychological characteristics required to be successful in their respective fields. In "Colleges Prepare People For Life," Hrabowski states, "college graduates are the winners in a globally competitive economy" (259). Rose opposes Hrabowski's statement when he includes "for Joe [his uncle] the shop floor provided what school did not; it was like schooling, he said, a place where you're constantly learning" (277). Rose believes that his mother and uncle acquired real-world knowledge that could not be obtained in a classroom; it could only be learned through direct, hands-on experience. Along with the graduates mentioned in "Colleges Prepare People For Life," blue-collar workers are also winners in society and acquire particular knowledge that someone in college may never obtain a firm grasp