Speaking as someone who did get some scholarships to go to University it was very important to me to get that money. Some scholarships were from trusts, some were from industry, some were from the school but all of it was extremely helpful in me graduating from University. As someone who initially had to drop out in second year due to lack of funds I can absolutely say that every little bit helped!
You are right though. University was just a stepping stone towards getting a degree so I could get a job. I really do envy you getting a PhD. One of my professors who eventually ended up becoming the Dean of the Pharmacy department did want me to join her on some research and would have supported me to get my masters and PhD....but I had to decline as I simply didn't have the money to continue. Sure I might have been able to squeak by on a researcher salary while living on campus but it would have been tight and I was up to my neck in student loans.
Looking back I'm sure I would have enjoyed a research job far more than a community Pharmacist job....but that ship sailed long ago.
Having said that I have a friend who got a Masters degree in Marine Biology. Really bright guy...and he is currently working at London Drugs in the computer department and has for at least 20 years. As you said, jobs for some degrees just don't exist. Very much a shame.
scholarships of course are important and help people specially in North America to be in University. I think it is a bit different from what I discussed. the topic is rewarding monetary good students.... I get good grades and receive money as a reward where I can use to anything.
Scholarships is a money that you get to pay off part or totally your studies. Which I totally agree in existing!
In Brazil is a bit different, since most of good Universities are Public. Good grades there gives you a different type of money. Since all labs are Public or at least 95% or plus, when you are into paid interships you are paid by public grants as fellowships. For a student to be able for that , the students need a good GPA. SO it is also a type of reward, but in this case is a type of income. But you are also working to get this income. I don't know if i made clear , it is a weird system ;)
I like to comment everything you say in parts hahaha
Well that is a really normal thing in my area. A friend of mine went through Ph.D. in ornitology (birds and stuff) then he started a technical college in human fertilization .... The Brazilian government just released a new fund to try to bring back Brazilians with Ph.D. from abroad. It is a fellowship (again it isn't a salary) that pays well for 5 years. However, after 5 years what happens? Is there any job opportunity for all of them? Even if the income could be better than my salary now (which is difficult to compare when we deal with cost of living etc) isn't worth.
Again this brings up a very big topic.
Business is where the money is.
Research is important to further humans knowledge and progress as a species but it doesn't necessarily bring in money.
Having people knowledgeable in marine biology, ornithology, primatology or whatever is important to learn about the world around us BUT there aren't the dollars available to support it. Or at least not enough for the majority of people to study.
So, should University be for the rich who can support themselves and advance human knowledge? Is it for those professions which requires more education than is possible than a typical high school can provide? Should it be funded by business that can profit from its advances? Should it be funded by governments for the advancement of all people? Should the best students be "hired" to learn by companies out of high school with a promise of employment at the end so companies can get the best and brightest educated to their needs?
It's a discussion for friends in an evening party....a bit long for a Hive post :(
If you cross the rockies we should meet 🫣
I'm in Edmonton on the 14th but then heading to Saskatoon the next day. Not sure you'd find me interesting in conversation as I'm not a fellow researcher like yourself but if interested I'll pencil in some time to visit Lethbridge (I think that's where you are) sometime when I'm heading out to visit my mom (its a long drive from Vancouver to Saskatchewan--Lethbridge might make a nice stopover 😂)
Wow nice car trip hahaha let me know even if it is just a path ehhehe
hehe...
.... only partial car trip. I live in Abbotsford and the Flair flights are cheaper than gas to drive to either Calgary or Edmonton. How am I supposed to drive the 1150km from Abbotsford to Edmonton for cheaper than $30 (the price of a Flair flight).
Some fun math for a science guy :)
At 1.68/liter (gas price here)... $30/1.68 per liter --> 17.87 liters
1150km == 11.5 x 100
17.87 liters / 11.5 hundreds --> 1.55 l/100km
I can't think of any car that only uses 1.55l/100km. I mean I used to drive a Mirage at 4.5l/100km and thought that was good. Even my electric doesn't get that kind of economy :D
So, next time I fly to Calgary I'll just add a day trip over to Lethbridge (if your free) and say Hello. Then you can tell me all about Brasil...but if you start speaking Portuguese I'll be totally lost 😉