Saturday, December 13, 2008

Getting College Students Ready For the Workforce

I've had some time to think as it is final exam season at many universities. Some places of higher learning are just that: they seek to educate students; to not only give them access to knowledge but also to teach them how to learn and to love learning.

But many other places have become de-facto "credential obtaining" and "job training" centers; the idea is to give the students the tools which will optimize their chances for success in the workplace.

Ok, given that one works at such a place, one might have the following quandary: a not so talented C student asks for help (via e-mail) on a take home exam; they have had a week to complete it but the e-mail pleading for help is sent on Saturday evening when the assignment is due on Monday?

Then the little snowflake asks if she "could possibly get a B" for the course (uh...maybe with a brain transplant?)

But the snowflake does wear low cut blouses and mini skirts to class and, frankly, looks good in them.

So: given that her chances of getting ahead in the work place by her brain power is minimal (ok, of measure zero) but that she looks good enough to sleep her way up the ladder, does the faculty member have an ethical obligation to let her have some practice this, "talent"?

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