For thatguyben, because I haven't got the hang of reblogging

As for allocating places on market demand, it may be a bad way to do it, but it’s the least bad way. If places weren’t allocated based, in some way, on demand from students, what other sensible way would there be to allocate places?” - thatguyben

Sorry dude, my use of the term ‘market demand’ is a bit vague in the original post. I dislike market-demand allocation if it is based merely on what students want to do. But if it is tailored to what the particular industries can support (in terms of jobs/placements for graduates) than I’m ok with that. A little bit of bleed is ok, it makes for more motivated graduates, and people can change their minds, but if more places are allocated to degrees because they are popular one ends up with wasteful supply.

I know courses where there is oversupply (law, creative fields, journalism, physical education, nutrition, psychology, marketing…) do prove useful to the graduates that go on to find jobs elsewhere, but I question the need for so many to go to university in the first place. Often the relevant skills could be developed through experience and mentoring, but our society is moving away from fostering that.

I guess it comes down to how you wish to look at the role of Universities. I think they over cater, and would like to see a return to shorter duration technical colleges and on the job training. I fear Australia going down a path where you need a Masters to do anything… that’s how it seems to be in America.

thatguyben:

In IT, which was my background, when I did undergrad study, the boom was in full swing. Everyone who graduated after 3 years got a job and those of us who stayed back an extra year for honours walked into jobs too. And then the boom burst. All those kids who were one or two years behind my cohort graduated into a market that didn’t want them. But what could those kids do? They’d already committed to a degree program.

Computer Science and mathematics might have a place at universities, but I’m sure you’ll agree IT is better suited to quicker TAFE diplomas that can turn out system admins and technicians as required, with yearly adjustment. The graduates will further their training elsewhere as the industry changes. But you’re right, an overly-speculative industry created un-necessary demand and it’s a shame more people didn’t notice it at the time.

The university model in the ‘States is a bit different to here. They seem to do less specific stuff as undergrads which makes “graduate school” necessary. Here we have highly specific undergraduate degrees.

You’ve seen the Melbourne Model, right? :)