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Right, a college degree unfortunately at times is basically a proxy for an intelligence test, a way to filter out job applicants. It is a signifier - this perso
by edtechdev 12y ago
Right, a college degree unfortunately at times is basically a proxy for an intelligence test, a way to filter out job applicants. It is a signifier - this person did well enough in school to get into and through college. I'm not judging it in itself as bad or good. It does explain why, however, colleges can get away with poor teaching and little learning on the part of students sometimes (see the book Academically Adrift), and why there is of course a huge bias toward hiring students from more prestigious (selective) colleges.
- privong 12y agoIs it a proxy for an intelligence test or as a way to judge if someone has the dedication to commit to completing a substantial project/undertaking (such as 4 years of college)? I think the latter explanation is consistent with the rest of your comment. I suppose it could be both, though.
- danielweber 12y agoGetting admitted is a proxy for an IQ test. Getting through is a proxy for being able to grind on tasks. Both are useful job skills. (My job is intellectually satisfying, but also involves writing reports that really can be described as a grind.)