Professionals vs Humanities at Marquette

[Benny B]

Granted it was many years ago but I recall bringing a Harvard Business a Review article to a conversation with the B School dean. The article posited that students should emphasize the arts and humanities during undergrad and then concentrate on business courses in grad school as it would make for more well-rounded individuals.

I think we discussed this same article in a graduate class; someone commented something to the effect of "it doesn't matter what your major was, all undergraduate degrees are basically garbage any way... that's why we're all here."  There was an eerie silence for about 10 seconds while we all reconciled what was said.

[muwarrior69]

I think we discussed this same article in a graduate class; someone commented something to the effect of "it doesn't matter what your major was, all undergraduate degrees are basically garbage any way... that's why we're all here."  There was an eerie silence for about 10 seconds while we all reconciled what was said.

That notion may be right. When I graduated in 1969, double major in chemistry and biology, with a BS my first job paid 9000 dollars. Back then gasoline cost from any where between 23 and 32 cents a gallon, a new car between 2000 and 3000 dollars and the median price for a house at least here in New Jersey was 20 to 30 thousand dollars. Today gas costs as of now 2.20 a  gallon; you can but a nice car for 20 -30K and a nice house for 200 - 300k. Are graduates with a BS in chemistry and biology starting at 90000 thousand a year today?

[Coleman]

That notion may be right. When I graduated in 1969, double major in chemistry and biology, with a BS my first job paid 9000 dollars. Back then gasoline cost from any where between 23 and 32 cents a gallon, a new car between 2000 and 3000 dollars and the median price for a house at least here in New Jersey was 20 to 30 thousand dollars. Today gas costs as of now 2.20 a  gallon; you can but a nice car for 20 -30K and a nice house for 200 - 300k. Are graduates with a BS in chemistry and biology starting at 90000 thousand a year today?

No, I would guess they make 60-70k right out of undergrad. When you put it that way, purchasing power has gone down 33%

[GGGG]

No, I would guess they make 60-70k right out of undergrad. When you put it that way, purchasing power has gone down 33%

Except our definitions of "nice car" and "nice house" have changed a lot since 1969.  While I agree that purchasing power has decreased, I would argue that it isn't by that amount.  We have a bunch of nicer things that we did back then.

[jficke13]

No, I would guess they make 60-70k right out of undergrad. When you put it that way, purchasing power has gone down 33%

http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2013/04/15/college-degrees-with-the-highest-starting-salaries-3/

(data 2ish years old) Engineering clocks in for your range, but sciences below.

[Aughnanure]

Cool story, but those are tests. I see it in person, and just basic writing creativity is severely lacking (along with significant typos and simple errors).

And comparing essentially these hand-eye coordination practices (which are nothing new btw) to developing writing skills is well...strange.

[jficke13]

Cool story, but those are tests. I see it in person, and just basic writing creativity is severely lacking (along with significant typos and simple errors).

And comparing essentially these hand-eye coordination practices (which are nothing new btw) to developing writing skills is well...strange.

I think you're taking the cartoon too seriously...

[muwarrior69]

No, I would guess they make 60-70k right out of undergrad. When you put it that way, purchasing power has gone down 33%

Though true I would also say the value of a BS or BA degree has decreased as well.