The education industry seems to be ripe for disruption. Although it’s undeniable that higher education and advanced technical skills are correlated with higher salaries, more and more parents and students are questioning the real value of college. If college is merely another step in the process towards applying for a job, some folks think colleges should be a bit better about actually being able to match employers with recent graduates. On the other hand, if college is more about making social connections and laying the foundations for a rewarding life, perhaps acquiring hefty student loans to do so isn’t the way to go for that. Here are just a few links on getting a college education.

• Should college students focus on “vocational degrees” that might land them lucrative jobs after they graduate? The number of business majors in the US outnumbers liberal arts majors by a 2:1 ratio — but instead of worrying about what majors are the highest paying, it might be better to work on graduating in 4 years and learning some fundamental skills. [url]
• Does college really prepare students with the skills necessary to succeed in the workplace? It depends on who you ask. A poll of academics says colleges do a great job. A poll of business leaders and the general public suggests the opposite. [url]
• If college isn’t worth all the trouble and expense, what else can high school grads do? Self-directed learning is getting more attention as the resources to educate yourself online become easier and easier to find. Hackademics need to be really motivated, but they can save thousands in college tuition if they can develop practical skills on their own. [url]