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Letitia Falk

Lab Technitician/Recent MSc Graduate, University of British Columbia

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Why did you go to University/College?

What was/is your drive for pursuing an education? Did you go to an educational institution to A) increase your job prospects or B) to pursue a subject you enjoy?

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    Jerell Parker

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    Oct 24 2011: I'm going to a University because I'm first generation and I feel that it's my responsibility to do what none of my siblings could and carry on the family name. Plus it seems to be the best way to accomplish my dreams.

  • Joe Fletcher

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    Oct 24 2011: Believe it or not, to learn. I feel like a major loner sometimes though in that regard.

  • Yi Hui Ang

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    Oct 24 2011: I'm going to uni now to attain the very basic qualifications for a professional degree. I think if I were interested in the arts or business, I might not have chosen to go to uni. Not sure if it's a very inaccurate perspective, but somehow it feels that art is something you can learn and study on your own, and business is something you get it right by actually doing it. But for areas like Medicine, Law and Engineering, a paper qualification is the springboard to kick start one's career...I guess uni offers a structured style of education, and the opportunity to build up one's professional networks...I guess I'm grateful for the numerous very good friends I've been able to make at uni.
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    Bertha Guzman

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    Oct 24 2011: I actually went to college because I am aware that education is the basis for progress. But in Venezuela it happen two particular phenomena: firstly a case similar to that posed liu jinjiang and simply obtaining college certificate (which is very common). But on the other hand, Venezuelans, we have the highest rate of university students in Latin America, which makes clear that we need to thrive. Separate point is whether a career is studied according to the vocation or anyone just for a title.
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    Valerie Burton

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    Oct 23 2011: I went to college because that is what I thought you were supposed to do after graduation. I was so naive that I thought that everyone went to college after high school. I am the daughter and granddaughter of teachers so of course I was going to college after high school. Not going was not an option.

    I went to college to increase my job prospects and to pursue a subject that I enjoyed. I majored in Marketing and minored in Communications. I now work as a teacher. LOL. I had to go back to school to get certified for the family business. ;p

  • osman şahin

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    Oct 23 2011: I establish relationships with new friends because nowadays people is working companies when they graduated at your universities then they corparate with other staffs of companies and we work with these peole therefore if we meet o lot of friends ,we soon will conform team spirit and raise level of work
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    nitin jain

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    Oct 23 2011: I never thought not going to university can be an option :)
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      Letitia Falk 10+

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      Oct 23 2011: Interesting! Do you mind my asking why not going wasn't an option?
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    vishnu narang

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    Oct 23 2011: recently i saw a documentary "The Triumph of the Nerds" and after seeing that movie i asked myself the same question.
    i'm into computer engineering and this documentary is all about Bill Gates, IBM, Microsoft, Steve Jobs....etc

    The question came because i realized to be successful in achieving your dream you dont need college....
    they all did it and so can i...

    the only problem is to achieve something they ask for the degree....
    so i am in the college only for the degree...

    AND not to get my parents mad at me :) they paid for all the education :)
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    Dosia McKay

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    Oct 23 2011: I am an artist and to me pursuing higher education meant finding a Community where I could grow and explore.

  • Mike Roberts

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    Oct 22 2011: I went because that's what people of my Socio-Economic status did at 17-19; I had no particular interest in one thing more than others, so I sort of did a buffet of a degree program until someone told me I had to get a degree in 'something'. Apparently, just going to school for four years to learn different things because you are interested in several different things wasn't good enough for the Powers That Be. So, I got a degree in English Lit. and, since I had to have a minor, under the rules of the university, I chose History simpl;y because that was the subject I had taken the second most courses in.... I really found the experience kind of counter-course to the notion that university be a place to try out a spectrum of different things and ideas. My experience was that the Admins at the University were really uncomfortable with people taking a couple Art courses and a couple Science classes and a Math class or two and a couple classes in this and that. Their rationale was that a cohesive degree program was more 'sellable' to a potential employer, so in a way this was for my own good to be forced to choose a major....My thought was, what the @#@$# business is it of theirs; It was MY money I was paying and I should be able to take whatever I want. Give me a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree and say Fare Thee Well, Mike....
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      Letitia Falk 10+

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      Oct 23 2011: I didn't realize that some Universities made you choose a major actually! All of the Universities I've attended (2) have had "General Studies" programs. I agree with you though that a lot of people attend University to find out where their interests lie and restricting student's access to trying out many different subjects seems counter-intuitive towards achieving that goal. I had a pretty good idea that I liked Biology but I didn't chose a specialization within that field. In contrast, at the larger University where I am doing grad school almost all of the undergraduate students have specialized into pre-med or microbiology or genetics etc.... And I was really amazed when I transferred to meet Biology graduates who didn't believe in Evolution because they had never taken a Evolution, or Ecology or Zoology or Botany class! In this case the rationale is that specialized students were able to learn many more specific techniques that they would need in the field and be more employable. The funny part is that a couple years into the program I am performing just as well as students who had a more specialized degree. Techniques can be learned, but I wouldn't trade the open-mindedness and ability to see the big picture that I gained from having a broader background for the world.
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    Rupack Halder

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    Oct 22 2011: Well...ever since I have started understanding about this world and my surrounding...i have had the urge to be taught myself at one of the best Uni's. well luckily. Im in the best university of mt country :) and as my dreams have paid me off...i think i should be attending the uni :)

    Tc palz.
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    Jonathan Barker

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    Oct 22 2011: I went to school to avoid getting my parents job. No matter how hard essays or projects or getting to class was, it was never going to be as hard as living every day knowing i could have had this life and i gave up.

  • fatemeh parpinchi

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    Oct 22 2011: this is a fundamental qustion
    because every
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    Lawrence Burns

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    Oct 22 2011: The learning for learnings sake vs career path comparison kind of assumes that these are the main reasons that people go to university. In an ideal world perhaps they would be but that really wasn't how things were when I was applying to University with my peers 6 or 7 years ago. Many people - if not the majority just saw it as the next thing to do - like high school followed junior school. Parental insistence is a huge factor, the phrase 'you need a degree' - and the simple fact that people don't want to feel left out - everyone they know is applying so they do too. A lot of people also go to party and live alone for the first time - particularly in the UK.
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      Letitia Falk 10+

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      Oct 23 2011: Good points. Education is trendy right now, do you think that enrolling because of those kinds of social pressures is a good thing or a bad thing?
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    Icicle Chan

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    Oct 22 2011: University once served as only a ladder for me, with which I hoped to climb up and reach a higher position in career. However, inspired by lectures given by successful people, I know the aim of university is far more than just to maintain a particular skill or increase our job prospect. When we become parents, we spend more time taking care of our children,at the same time striving for bread. Chances are we may no longer have such sufficent time to taste the fragrance spilling from all sorts of masterpiece by people like Aristotle or Einstein....University, a platform where new ideas interact and a sanctuary away from noise where we explore the ture value of life, is giving me more than just a certificate.
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    michael wang

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    Oct 22 2011: cause i have been used to doing it.Support i didn't go to university,i'll be easily lose myself.Yeah,maybe i'm a little bit stupid
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      Letitia Falk 10+

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      Oct 23 2011: No I think you make a good point about being a University student being tied up in our personal identity.

  • l jj

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    Oct 22 2011: I am a chinese college student。I fell that in China,most students go to university just for a paper which is called graduation certificate.on one hand,college teacther also know tjhat,few of them teach how to think ,how to treat out life and so on.on the other hand,teacher do not pay attention to our study,passing the exam is just ok.what about the universities in yout country?
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      Letitia Falk 10+

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      Oct 23 2011: It varies I guess. I've had some really inspirational teachers who took a personal interest in me and I've also had some teachers who just seem to do their job. Generally it is in smaller classes that I have been able to connect and get inspired by teachers. What size is a typical class in China? Maybe the lack of enthusiasm from teachers comes from their reasons for becoming teachers? This is what I worry about: If you become a math teacher just to get a job and not because you love math, then you're not going to be as good a teacher as someone who is following their passion.

      • l jj

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        Oct 24 2011: In fact,at leat i feel that my teachers really love what they teach.After all they read a doctor,if they don't like the aspect he research,it will be very painful.I think the main problem is the leaders of school make too many rules about teaching,teacher can't teach what they thinke it's important,he has to teach but teach what is asked to teach.It may heard a little ridiculous,but it's truth in China.the position of professor is lower than leaders.many professors think it should be changed,but they don't have the courage to change it. I hope it will be changed in few years.

  • Abdurahman Jaber

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    Oct 22 2011: new experience
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    Saeid Zebardast

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    Oct 22 2011: I've quit university after two semesters, because I realized I don't want to waste my time anymore. After that I've started studying my favorite topics. I've gained some skills and I've got my favorite job :)

  • Kishan Lalla

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    Oct 22 2011: The reason people go to university/college, in my opinion, is one of two reasons or both. One, to look at the world from the an educated perspective and try to explain why something happens. Second, is to have a career and support them self.
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    Senthil Dsk

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    Oct 22 2011: Failed in my attempt of being an unconventional intellect in a society moulded with conventions. Hence, the reason.

  • tishe Hires 10+

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    Oct 22 2011: Well, I did not go to any. I did not want the debt. I did not want the tax payers, footing the bill. (Student Loan Debt) My parents, were too busy, working, for a living. How are you paying for it? Are you enjoying it? This is an excellent question! Oh, how long will you be paying for it? With Respect!!
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      Letitia Falk 10+

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      Oct 23 2011: Well I try not to think about it...I paid for my undergraduate degree myself (worked my butt off as a waitress evenings/weekends/summer) while my parents let me live at home rent-free. I have had to take out student loans to pay for graduate school though because I had to move to the city and housing is expensive. I have enjoyed being a student very much but I won't be sure if it was worth it until I graduate, find out if I will get a job, find out how long it will take to pay back (I would estimate about 5 years?) I've got a little less than a year left and its a scary turning point to be honest.

      • tishe Hires 10+

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        Oct 23 2011: I can imagine, in this day and age, it would be scary! You seem like a fighter and will not give up at all! As far as finding a job, I feel for young people of today. That would scare me!!

  • Laura Weasley

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    Oct 22 2011: I went because I needed to prove to myself and everyone else that I was not a dumb Indian unable to excel in the very system that had largely destroyed many of my and other First Nations peoples.

  • Russell Purcell

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    Oct 22 2011: Right after high school I went for purpose A. It didn't work out so well. When I was 30 I went back for purpose B. It worked out rather splendidly.

  • Fakhriddin Abdullayev 10+

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    Associate
    Oct 21 2011: There are lots of things in my life that brought me to College education especially my goals for future and influences that I got from surrounding people. Life is a word that made from four letters, although it means a lot. College or university, anyplace that educate teach you , prepares you to further life.
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    KSHERA SAGAR PARASAR MUDUNURI

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    Oct 21 2011: The chocies given A) increase your job prospects or B) to pursue a subject you enjoy? both are not appropirate first place we will be going to the colleage/university to get the Knowledge and if you have knowledge then only we will come to things do and things not to do.

    if i have knowledge i can share my friends,colleagues,family and others we can't count the knwoledge with money.

    and lot of more to say...........................the above is my opinion.

    Good Luck

  • Bilal Saad

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    Oct 21 2011: Hi Letitia, I'll take option C) that be Change The world TO Be More:
    1- technology.
    2- beautiful.
    3- Health.
    4- Good Doing.
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      Letitia Falk 10+

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      Oct 23 2011: I love your reply. On reflection, my question is very self-centered isn't it? Do you want to make yourself some money or entertain yourself intellectually? Absolutely another option is to help others. Thank you for this thought

  • smart lord

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    Oct 20 2011: because i want to change my around world
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    Cale Sears 500+

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    TED AttendeeTEDx Organizer
    Oct 20 2011: For me, it has been a mixture of both, increasing job opportunities AND pursuing a subject I enjoy. I think we find out happiness from following our passions, being in a position to use education as an avenue to pursue those passions, that is an amazing opportunity to say the least.
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    Fred Lanisake

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    Oct 20 2011: Honestly, I just went because I felt that I was supposed to. I graduated high school and heard the gun. People started shouting "run! run!". I panicked. "where?! what?! ahhh I'm going!!".

    Needless to say I became a statistic.
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