Education: Fill & Download for Free

I took JEE-Main, ranked in the Top 1%, and joined an NIT.I worked with the system, maintaining an above average CGPA in my B.Tech.I used to think that all of this effort I’ve put in towards getting good grades and building a good profile has made me a good engineer. And then the following happened and my views changed:One random day, a friend of mine, also a part of the same course as mine (Chemical Engineering) came to my Hostel room.Though we were in the same batch but he was not doing well in academics. He had a really low CGPA, the professors didn’t seem to like him, he had been having lots of trouble in getting Internships, projects, etc.So It was a hot day. He asked me to turn on my room cooler. I did. At once he figured out something was wrong with it. He turned to me saying that the air was not ‘Cool Enough’. While I was trying to figure out what he was trying to say, he began searching his bag and took out a screwdriver, and a few pointed tools too.In a minute my cooler was disassembled. He followed it up by disintegrating the pump. I had no idea what he was trying to do. He followed the case of the pump with other components of my fairly complex cooler. After he was done (in an hour), the cooler nearly looked the same, except that there were some weird looking dents on the fan.We turned on the cooler again. It was clearly evident that the air was way too cool now. I went into a flashback: thinking of the concepts of Humidification, De-humidification and structure and working of a cooler.I did not understand what new had he done. The cooler worked as before. In theory it was all the same. But he had known more. He knew more than the books and our courses had taught us. He had been to places, he had tried things. It was this practical exposure and learning which had distinguished both of us.So what’s wrong with the Indian Education system? That though it delivers knowledge, it is far from imparting skill.

I invest between $15,000 and $20,000 USD per year in my education, and I will be increasing this budget as I also start to invest in my kids’ extracurricular education.This investment is a part of their traditional school academics, such as this seminar I attended last week with my teenager.I’ve been heavily investing in my knowledge for years even though I have an Executive MBA and a Civil Engineering degree.So, to answer your question, why is education becoming less valuable?College degrees are becoming less valuable, but NOT education !In fact, just as old technology becomes worthless, so is outdated education. Relevant education is scarce and very expensive in today’s world and won’t get any cheaper.The world is changing fast, yet people invest more money updating their smartphones than their brains. Isn’t that ironic?Stop chasing degrees — start pursuing knowledge.

Meet Ali,Ali is a Bank Manager.Works 9AM-5PM.In front of a computer in an AC room.Bank gives travel, health, house-rent allowance.Gets Holidays on weekends, festivals and can avail a casual leave.Makes 8 Lakh INR every year.Meet Rohan,Rohan is a Labourer.Work hours aren't fixed.Most times, he works at construction sites or under the sun.Absolutely no allowances (May get some lunch if he’s lucky).Holidays mean no money.Makes 200–300 INR a day.Even though Rohan works so much, he earns very less compared to Ali.Ali gets much more money because he is educated.Is education overrated?→ Nope!