[quote name='c0rnpwn']The ideal of college isn't to prepare you for any specific job -- else that would be vocational school. College is supposed to teach you how to *think.* And the only way you can successfully do that is by exposing yourself to many disciplines.[/QUOTE]
Agreed.
I did journalism for my undergrad and had to take all kinds of courses in all kinds of field. Math, science, literature, history, political science, economics, accounting etc.
I found it very beneficial. On the one hand you learn a little bit about a lot of different topics.
But really the main benefit is developing your critical thinking skills, ways of thinking etc. and the more topics you're forced to do that with the more rounded you end.
Of course, being a professor now I'm very biased toward the value of college, being well rounded, being intellectual etc.
But that said, I of course acknowledge that college isn't for everyone and a person just wants to get a job and make money, then college might not be the best option vs. going to a vocational school and learning a trade and getting into the workforce at a younger age and without student loan debt. The only problem is a lot of people are lazy and don't want blue collar jobs.
But if getting a job and making money is the main goal, and they don't mind working hard, then they shouldn't waste their time getting a degree and taking classes that don't interest them, nor my time by being disinterested and passive students in my class rooms. Go become a mechanic or electrician or plumber or any other number of pretty well paying trade jobs. Or try your luck at starting a small business, real estate etc.
There are better ways to get in the workforce earlier and with less debt than college if you're not dead set on a particular white collar career or interested in becoming well rounded, enjoying the college experience etc.