Pursuit of knowledge, especially higher education, is a concept that is valued by most cultures. Although some believe that tertiary education ought to offer essential courses to the students in terms of preparing them for the work force, others, myself included, adhere that universities should offer a wide range of subjects which can be beneficial in both work and personal lives. In this essay, I will state both these views.
On the one hand, universities should predominantly focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses. It can facilitate the graduates with in need skills and knowledge of the job market. Obtaining an academic degree in the demanding fields, they believe, will enable students to increase their chances of securing a decent position. Many developing countries, for example, have enforced the universities to be tailored to adult students’ needs to be prosperous at seeking a lucrative job in the market.
On the other hand, some educationalists assert that limiting the subjects to the required or demanding courses of the workplace is in contrast with the general concept of the university. They believe that individuals should be free at choosing their subjects and should place a premium on following their interests rather than obtaining a beneficial degree to the employers. Art-related subjects or music courses, for instance, should be offered by the universities to individuals. This function of universities enables students to have a broad range of options to choose.
All things considered, although tertiary education can offer STEM courses to the students due to preparing them for the workplace, I believe that offering a wide range of subjects should be considered as the main function of universities, regardless of considering job market’s demands.
