College isn't just for career-building

Re "College is expensive. And worth taxpayers' investment," Opinion Voices, Aug. 30

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A GROUP walks by Sather Tower on the UC Berkeley campus in March 2022.

JUSTIN SULLIVAN Getty Images

COLUMNIST LZ Granderson drives home an important point often lost in current discussions about the advantages of an undergraduate college education. That point is that the focus of an undergraduate college education should be on learning skills that help students broadly in life, regardless of their career choice. Those skills include critical thinking, collaboration with others, exposure to a variety of perspectives and interpersonal communication skills.

With the current emphasis on career-based education, it is worthwhile to consider the benefits afforded by a liberal arts education that forces students to ask questions, think of alternatives and be creative.

Particularly important is Granderson's reminder of the importance of education in a robust democracy, championed by our founding fathers. The political climate we find ourselves in could use more citizens who are curious and open to a variety of views.

When I decided to return to school as a graduate student, while also working full-time, many people assumed I was doing so strictly for monetary reasons - to earn more money and climb the corporate ladder. But for me, it was the chance to renew that spark learning has always ignited in me and challenge myself to consider new paths.

ERIKA CILENGIR Culver City

Reflecting on "education ... as [Thomas] Jefferson often wrote, [is] essential to our democracy": As a retired college professor, I understand the goals of our profession to enable students to contribute to building democracy through their engagement in professions that support diversity, scientific inquiry and lifelong learning.