Good Will Hunting — Value of a Degree

In this iconic scene from Good Will Hunting, Matt Damon gets into a confrontation at a bar with an undergrad who is trying to embarrass his friend who is trying to impress a group of young women. In the process of humiliating the other student, the two get into a key distinction on the value of a college degree. Someone could obtain the same knowledge of a college degree from accessing a public library, but the lack of an actual degree (a signal perhaps) limits the job opportunities available for many.

Thanks to Charlie Clarke for the post!

A point argued by will hunting, “you spent $150,000 on an education you could have got for $1.50 in late charges at the public library.”https://t.co/OGHaP8ZRl2

— Charlie Clarke (@wagonomics) November 25, 2018

2018 0

Superstore — Opportunity Cost

Tate is asked to ring up some additional items for a customer, despite his main job duty as a pharmacist. With a long line behind the customer, Tate recognizes that his Doctorate of Pharmacy is probably better spent helping his customers with medical needs.

2018 0

The Colbert Report — College Credit

Stephen goes through the issues associated with the earning potential of various degrees. This satirical piece points out that college students receive credit for different courses, but they aren’t charged differently for their credit. He then goes through examples of ways colleges could break down credit into three tiers and charge based on potential gains to the students.

2017 0

Marginal Revolution University: Is Education Signaling or Skill Building?

Another great clip from the Marginal Revolution University team, but this time focused on the value of an education. Just like the robotization duel, I like to break this one down into multiple smaller clips and put clicker questions in the middle of them.

2017 0

Last Week Tonight: Gender Pay Gap

John Oliver explores America’s wage gap between men and women and proposes a possible solution.

Note: Solution proposed is 100% sarcastic.

2015 0

CNN: Should You Go To College?

You can’t excel without education. But that doesn’t mean you need to go to college. Mike Rowe explains.

2014 0

USA Today: Mike Rowe Explains The Skills Gap In USA Education System

Over the last 8 years of shooting Discovery Channels Hit show, Dirty Jobs, Mike Rowe became increasingly concerned over the skills gap in the United States. Each year millions of skilled trade jobs go unfilled as our country continues to push a traditional 4 year degree.

2014 0

USA Today: Where the Jobs Are

Mike Rowe, host of ‘Someone’s Gotta Do It’ and ‘Dirty Jobs’ talks about the new blue collar jobs.

2014 0