Do you need to go to college? An example:

A year or so I decided to take an introductory computer science course. In that particular class was a friend who had an ability with computers that far surpassed the scope of what the course covered. I ended up having to go back to a more introductory class and my friend ending up earning a "D." My friend's poor grade was due to medical reasons and his refusal to follow the instructor's directions to the letter--typical of what most college courses require for a good grade.


As of a few days ago I learned this friend, who has had substantial professional experience in working with computers, has found a job out East without a college degree. It is very interesting how the field of computers have allowed people without formal training to exercise their talents without a sheepskin. In some corporate areas I know this is not the case. In order to get your foot in the door at these places you usually need to meet some arbitrary criteria, but there are still many opportunities for the unschooled computer whiz.

In the future I envision a wider apprentice system than what currently exists in America. College is, by the day, becoming less and less affordable while providing graduates with almost an increased inability to get and hold a job. While I am currently learning accounting in a college setting, accounting was originally (in Italy) taught under an apprentice system. Could this be the future for such professions as computer work and nursing, or will the standards of these professions continue to perpetuate college as the de facto standard for all? What do you think?