The Parallel Lives

Dave Ramsey, host of the popular call-in radio show, helps listeners pry themselves free from debt by a series of “Baby Steps.” That debt often stems from houses, vehicles, or college.

Ramsey ridicules the idea that high school graduates should embark upon an expensive university course toward a degree that has little chance of generating income.

His most often-cited example is “German polka dancing.” Such a course may exist, but one knows it is not worthwhile. Another scapegoat is “basketweaving.” Another I heard years ago is to study the works of the Spanish poet and playwright, Lope de Vega.

Yes, there are courses of study at the university considered soft, with little potential.

Some courses considered difficult but with far greater potential include: Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Business Law, Medicine, and Accounting. Some considered of medium difficulty include: Music, History, English, Geography, Political Science.

Yet, most all courses at the university level demand hours of study, lots of exams, and stress.

Before enrolling at a university, students should consider a course’s level of difficulty, their preferences, skills, intelligence, and whether that degree will translate into paid employment.

Nat King Cole started as a jazz pianist in the late 1930’s, but he transitioned into a solo vocalist career and enjoyed remarkable success in the 1950’s. He explained, “singing had greater commercial appeal than did the piano.” Few can forget his signature song, “Unforgettable.”

In mid-twentieth century, one college student dared to approach the wildly successful novelist James Michener and ask for an interview. The two met. Michener told the student,

“Nothing that I studied in college has been of use to me in my various jobs. But what I did learn was how to learn, how to organize, how to write term papers.”

Indeed, Michener wins the prize for the hardest working novelist. He said that to write a 500,000 word book, like “Hawaii,” he had to type some 3 million words and then cut most of the rough draft pages.

He consulted several thousand research books. He conducted 200 personal interviews. He told the student, “When I was finally ready to write, I rented a bare-wall, no-telephone Waikiki room and stuck at my typewriter every morning for eighteen months, seven days a week.”

Michener admonished college students. “They fail to realize that men and women who wish to accomplish anything must apply themselves to tasks of tremendous magnitude. The good work of the world is accomplished by people who dedicate themselves to the big tasks at hand.

“Adults who are unwilling to reeducate themselves are doomed to mediocrity. The best a college can do is to inspire a student with the urge to reeducate him or herself constantly.”

I say all knowledge has some value, even if modest. Two examples follow.

On May 5, 1809, President James Madison signed a patent to Mary Kies, the first American woman to receive a patent, for her straw-and-silk weaving technique to create hats, not baskets.

Jonathan Bate ended his 1997 book, “The Genius of Shakespeare,” with a nod to Lope de Vega. Bate wrote, “Lope de Vega was the Mozart of Literature.”

“Shakespeare wrote between 30 and 40 plays. Lope de Vega—who lived concurrent with Shakespeare, but in Spain—wrote between 500 and 1800, although only 300 survive.”

To acquire knowledge on any subject is not a bad thing, but one should consider, “Will it provide me with employment and income?” Another question, “Will I enjoy the work once I have the education and training?” A final question, “How much debt will I incur?”

I wish for those students university-bound the best luck. College is page-by-page, or one baby step after another. I envy you.