I met up with some of my friends from school / college and went for lunch. It was a really fun time and we reminisced about all sorts of different things that happened during our time at school. We also talked about what we were up to in our social lives and what kinds of things we were doing in our spare time. The conversation was rich and flowed well without pause but we kept coming back to one specific topic - education.
Education
As we had all been through the education machine ( school / college and university) we each had a degree and we kept talking about how we got on at university as we had all recently graduated. This was an interesting conversation in itself as we all went to different universities and read different courses. I contributed all that I had done at university at York and how I really enjoyed my time but moreover, how I had grown as a person and developed from quite a shy and retiring person to a vibrant guy with varied interests and hobbies. This conversation continued for a while fine before I sensed an undercurrent to the conversation. As time went on, we began talking about what we were up to post-graduation and then I hit upon the sensation I felt earlier as tension regarding the jobs market and further education.
Employment
As I've already stated in my profile here, I read chemistry at York and have been accepted into UCL to start an engineering masters in the September. I've already sorted my next path out but I talked to my friend and she said that she was freaking out. She was really nervous about what she wanted to do now as she had no idea and the current jobs market (as of July 2011) is pretty pants. She had told me previously that she wanted to work as an archivist as she had a real affinity for books and written records. She has now lost her passion for that idea but remains really interested in books and the written word. The problem for her is that she read English literature and she is now looking for some general admin work to tide her over. My other friend read a business degree with a gap year. These degree choices aren't the problem; the job choice is. As they have general english skills degrees, they have to compete with all the other people who want a general admin job and have general english skills like graduates in history, history of art, sociology, media. This list can go on and on. There are so few jobs in this sector and they are very heavily oversubscribed. I recently read the figure of 83 graduates going for every job out there.
Engineering
There is a massive need for engineers in the UK as there is plenty of new infrastructure to help install, especially in the IT sector where new servers and electronics engineering are essential to keep pace with modern living and the demand for fast, on-demand services. This sector requires specialist skills in maths, physics and depending on the flavour of engineering, further knowledge in a natural science (physics / biology / chemistry / medicine). This immediately cuts out a lot of the 'normal' competition from general skilled graduates and easily separates the workers from the blaggers as it's hard to 'wing it' in a situation requiring logical engineering principle minded employees.
Neglect
In recent years, there have been many news articles written concerning the type of course being read at university and that there have been great numbers of people reading and studying arts degrees and that the maths and sciences have been grossly neglected. This is true and the consequences of this are now coming to fruition as there are a relatively low number of engineering graduates out there but a great new need for them. This is excellent news if you're into your engineering in a big way. The situation is changing though and the news of neglected science has been overtaken in recent years by the story that the numbers of students opting for maths and sciences have been growing year on year. This could be a reaction to the new government fees for university of £9000 a year. The students could be looking for more value for money and better value in the way of a nearly 9 - 5 teaching day as opposed to 9 or 5 teaching hours a week. There are lots of trends that can be picked out of recent graduate unemployment numbers and new student discipline preferences but one thing's for sure: the neglect of science in favour of arts is being reversed as students look for a strong set of skills with which to start their careers.
Showing posts with label maths. Show all posts
Showing posts with label maths. Show all posts
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Monday, 18 July 2011
Mad about Maths?
2 + 2 = 5. Simple. Many people think that's where it ends and after school, it has no relevance. This is not the case.
It is becoming more and more common, people in their middle ages returning to school to enroll
in night courses to improve their skills in maths / english / science or languages. In recent years there have been many government initiatives to engage the general public in improving their skills in maths and english specifically to help them better themselvesin the workplace and increase their confidence with sums they encounter in their day to day lives.
A prime example is the Direct gov programme where parents / adults who find they are bafflled
by their childrens' homework, they should contact the phoneline to get involved with the free
skills courses on offer. This is an excellent initiative as it increases the general level of learning
of the populace. However, this scheme shouldn't be a necessity in today's society and we should examine the root of the problem, the cause of the apathy towards maths in the early years when these skills should be nailed.
Benefits of maths - confidence
The benefits of learning maths skills are many and varied. For one, having a good grasp
of maths means that one isn't forever scowling at a problem and asking colleagues for help.
Having maths skills means you can be more independant and can take on problems head on, without fear. This can greatly increase your confidence and lead to more senior role in the workplace as you oversee those who are developing their skills.
Employability
Having skills and qualifications in maths allows you to apply for a greater variety of jobs.
They instantly open more doors and brighten your outlook as you can say yes to a lot of
different opportunities. Maths not also helps with a professional post with a company but
it can also help by opening up doors to part-time freelance work like tutoring. Many children
suffer at school and need extra help to get their skills up to par and working as a tutor allows
you to aid them whilst also making some money with your own skills. This is a direct example of the maths skills at work but there are also many other different opportunities out there using the same kinds of skills. Bookmaking and small-time accounting are just a few examples.
Economic Wellbeing
There are many benefits to learning maths and keeping your skills up to scratch. the above confidence boost and ability to moonlight as a tutor/ bookmaker are to name but a few. These are personal benefits of learning maths skills but the wider picture is that with better maths skills, there will be less waste in the economy: less time wasted as employees tackle problems quicker. Less waste at events and in government departments as employees gain confidence in the art of estimation and mininise the waste originating from buying too much of a particular consumable. There are many good reasons behind getting involved in learning more english and maths skills. confidence, employability. There is also the lucrative path of working as a tutor, earn part time wage as maths tutor.
Maths, Maths, everywhere !
However, there are many jobs where a good grasp of even elementary mathematics skills are a necessity. A good example is the humble P.A.. Working under someone doesn't mean your skills needn't be up to scratch. The assistant needs to help organise the superior's day. This means calculating time intervals when tasks can be carried out, keeping track of calls and reports. In addition, the seemingly simple task of getting the coffees also requires a sharp mind so correct remuneration for each person's drink can take place.
Root of the problem
In the UK, school doesn't foster the importance of maths skills as a concept. In fact, the opposite occurs frequently. Children are expected to simply pick up the maths at an exponential rate like a savant (Rain Man) with little explanation or reinforcement of how to gofrom A to B in a mathematical system. This 'you know it or you don't' strategy, borne out of the lack of specialist maths tutors and a strict time sensitive curriculum maths in schools.
Patience is the key
These factors are the main reason that children aren't learning the essential skills they'll need
in the working world. The above benefits should be stressed to children when the despair with their maths homework and the concept of delayed gratification, working hard now for something good later in life, should be cemented into their minds. Remember, a good knowledge of maths needs patience to be able to learn it in the first place.
It is becoming more and more common, people in their middle ages returning to school to enroll
in night courses to improve their skills in maths / english / science or languages. In recent years there have been many government initiatives to engage the general public in improving their skills in maths and english specifically to help them better themselvesin the workplace and increase their confidence with sums they encounter in their day to day lives.
A prime example is the Direct gov programme where parents / adults who find they are bafflled
by their childrens' homework, they should contact the phoneline to get involved with the free
skills courses on offer. This is an excellent initiative as it increases the general level of learning
of the populace. However, this scheme shouldn't be a necessity in today's society and we should examine the root of the problem, the cause of the apathy towards maths in the early years when these skills should be nailed.
Benefits of maths - confidence
The benefits of learning maths skills are many and varied. For one, having a good grasp
of maths means that one isn't forever scowling at a problem and asking colleagues for help.
Having maths skills means you can be more independant and can take on problems head on, without fear. This can greatly increase your confidence and lead to more senior role in the workplace as you oversee those who are developing their skills.
Employability
Having skills and qualifications in maths allows you to apply for a greater variety of jobs.
They instantly open more doors and brighten your outlook as you can say yes to a lot of
different opportunities. Maths not also helps with a professional post with a company but
it can also help by opening up doors to part-time freelance work like tutoring. Many children
suffer at school and need extra help to get their skills up to par and working as a tutor allows
you to aid them whilst also making some money with your own skills. This is a direct example of the maths skills at work but there are also many other different opportunities out there using the same kinds of skills. Bookmaking and small-time accounting are just a few examples.
Economic Wellbeing
There are many benefits to learning maths and keeping your skills up to scratch. the above confidence boost and ability to moonlight as a tutor/ bookmaker are to name but a few. These are personal benefits of learning maths skills but the wider picture is that with better maths skills, there will be less waste in the economy: less time wasted as employees tackle problems quicker. Less waste at events and in government departments as employees gain confidence in the art of estimation and mininise the waste originating from buying too much of a particular consumable. There are many good reasons behind getting involved in learning more english and maths skills. confidence, employability. There is also the lucrative path of working as a tutor, earn part time wage as maths tutor.
Maths, Maths, everywhere !
However, there are many jobs where a good grasp of even elementary mathematics skills are a necessity. A good example is the humble P.A.. Working under someone doesn't mean your skills needn't be up to scratch. The assistant needs to help organise the superior's day. This means calculating time intervals when tasks can be carried out, keeping track of calls and reports. In addition, the seemingly simple task of getting the coffees also requires a sharp mind so correct remuneration for each person's drink can take place.
Root of the problem
In the UK, school doesn't foster the importance of maths skills as a concept. In fact, the opposite occurs frequently. Children are expected to simply pick up the maths at an exponential rate like a savant (Rain Man) with little explanation or reinforcement of how to gofrom A to B in a mathematical system. This 'you know it or you don't' strategy, borne out of the lack of specialist maths tutors and a strict time sensitive curriculum maths in schools.
Patience is the key
These factors are the main reason that children aren't learning the essential skills they'll need
in the working world. The above benefits should be stressed to children when the despair with their maths homework and the concept of delayed gratification, working hard now for something good later in life, should be cemented into their minds. Remember, a good knowledge of maths needs patience to be able to learn it in the first place.
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