What would you prefer - academics or skills?

1. 82

   bhattucposted 15 months ago

   It is believed that pure academics do not help us in the real practical world where we have to make a career and also a livelihood. Skills are more important for getting a job and to survive in the tough competitive atmosphere where jobs are shrinking day by day.
   Incidentally, I have today submitted a poem (https://hubpages.com/literature/Academi … c-Analysis) on the same topic and would require the feedback of the fellow hubbers who can make it convenient to go through that.
   Please give your views on this issue of acquiring academics versus skills.

   replyreport
   1. 71

      Miebakagh57posted 15 months agoin reply to this

      bhattuc, I read your article earlier. And I realized that due to lack of comments or the comments system, you smartly turn the issue into a forum discussion.                                      Much earlier before reading your article, I commented on Pamela99 "hair loss' piece, just by sighting her name in a forum! I think we writers are getting smatter with moves hubpages' ever took in disconnecting comments from feed settings.                                  Now, let me get to your thread. Shall I? I voted that academic and skill are both needed. They seems to supplement or complement one the other, along with talent for that smart move to earn a living. My third and last son is getting dissatisfying with the academics and is begging me to send him to a skill-based-technical-school. I agreed with him. I'm now enjoying the extra bread and butter.

      replyreport
      1. 82

         bhattucposted 15 months agoin reply to this

         You have put it so nicely, thanks.

         replyreport
2. 96

   theraggededgeposted 15 months ago

   Could we aspire to both?

   replyreport
   1. 82

      bhattucposted 15 months agoin reply to this

      I also feel that at least some academic qualifications would be required before we go for a full fledged skill oriented courses.

      replyreport
      1. 96

         theraggededgeposted 15 months agoin reply to this

         Not necessarily. For example, my kids were home-schooled and they didn't do any academic qualifications before going to college/uni.
         
         My eldest did Conservation & Woodland Management (and is now teaching the same).
         
         My daughter started college and enrolled at the lowest level (1) and within two weeks was moved up to L3, and onward to do a foundation degree in Music Technology and Production. She's now taking a year out as she was selected for a paid internship.
         
         Son did the Welsh Baccalaureate which gives some basic academic qualifications and my daughter managed an English GCSE.
         
         They didn't follow the traditional path that British children usually do.
         
         My philosophy is that people can learn what they need to learn when they need it.
         
         Of course, it is different if they are aiming for high-level professions.

         replyreport
3. 90

   Pamela99posted 15 months ago

   I read your article, and I will continue to read all your articles. I hope our ability to comment will be restored, but I will continue to read the articles you post.

   replyreport
   1. 82

      bhattucposted 15 months agoin reply to this

      Pamela, you are a kind soul.

      replyreport
4. 81

   Brenda Arledgeposted 15 months ago

   I think we often need both of them, but learning a skill on the job is a great way.
   Academics tend to blend in together to help us maintain our skills.

   replyreport
   1. 82

      bhattucposted 15 months agoin reply to this

      Well said Brenda.

      replyreport
5. 96

   viryaboposted 15 months ago

   That’s a nice article and poem. Enjoyed it
   
   If I had to do it all over again I’ll just go for a basic education and then get highly-trained in a skill that’ll be very lucrative.

   replyreport
   1. 82

      bhattucposted 15 months agoin reply to this

      Basic education followed by specific skills - that definitely makes great sense.

      replyreport
6. 82

   psycheskinnerposted 15 months ago

   If your academic studies do not give you skills, they have failed.  That is the whole point of them.

   replyreport
   1. 82

      bhattucposted 15 months agoin reply to this

      Nowadays education systems are aligning themselves in that way only.

      replyreport
   2. 96

      theraggededgeposted 15 months agoin reply to this

      I think there's a difference between academic qualifications and practical skills.
      
      In the UK, practical skills have been undervalued for years. Now we have a shortage of skilled tradespeople like carpenters and plumbers because kids have been encouraged to go off to uni and get degrees of no particular use.

      replyreport
      1. 82

         bhattucposted 15 months agoin reply to this

         Same thing is happening in many countries including India. Only thing in India is that due to large population and high unemployment, many people have learnt some skills just by association with other skilled people are available for doing the job.

         replyreport
7. 83

   Farah N Huqposted 15 months ago

   You cannot be skilled without proper knowlege and education and if you are not talented enough to apply that knowledge, even academics won’t come to any help. So I think what is important is talent. If you are talented you will use your education to improve your skill and apply both properly when necessary.

   replyreport
   1. 82

      bhattucposted 15 months agoin reply to this

      In any case, learning skills becomes important.

      replyreport
8. 97

   eugbugposted 15 months ago

   "....people can learn what they need to learn when they need it"
   
   Can I steal that quote and put it on a plaque?
   
   I agree with that philosophy too. No point shoving knowledge down people's throats if they're not going to use it. I've forgotten most of the information I learned at secondary school. Nevertheless, I think basic practical skills and knowledge as taught at primary school level are necessary.

   replyreport
   1. 96

      theraggededgeposted 15 months agoin reply to this

      Yep. I had no idea when I started home-schooling, but we just muddled along. I learned so much along the way. My children were knowledge detectives. We were lucky to have the internet. Before that, it would have been a lot harder.

      replyreport
9. 86

   Misbah786posted 15 months ago

   Sir, I enjoyed reading your hub today. A primary and secondary education, I believe, is very important. It's critical to have a solid foundation. The most crucial factor, I believe, is talent. But, once again, the two go hand in hand. We can learn anything at any stage of life, but I believe that establishing a good base is essential. A building can't be built without a foundation.
   Blessings to you!

   replyreport
   1. 82

      bhattucposted 15 months agoin reply to this

      Yes, you are very right that some basic education is a must for going ahead in any carer direction. Thanks for your comments.

      replyreport
10. 82

    bhattucposted 15 months ago

    Nowadays there are so many skill enhancing or learning online courses available and many students or professionals are taking advantage of them and learning new skills in their spare time. So, acquiring skills is not so difficult now.

    replyreport