School vs. the real world....we were lied to!!

Posted Tuesday, February 20, 2007 10:52 AM by BJ not BK

The world of public education is corrupt, fraught with deception and saturated with ploys to twist the expectations of young minds, ploys that reach to the highest levels. We were taught certain principles, stated as facts of life, and warned by teachers and professors of how the “real world” would treat us. Our fears guided us and molded our behavior, somewhat. Here are just a few examples of “lies” I have uncovered in my quest for truth:

  1. The five minute rule. In college there is an unspoken understanding between student and professor, a code of ethics if you will that goes something like this….If the class starts on the hour and the professor does not show up within 5 after then class is called off. This never works in the real world does it?

“Well guys, looks like to foreman isn’t here and it is five after! Miller time!”

No, companies seem to frown upon this rule and have some expectation that no matter what you supervisor is or is not doing you are still expected to do your part.

  1. Volunteering for hazardous duty to avoid real work. Remember when you would volunteer to dust the erasers in an effort to avoid real work? I remember sucking up hours of chalk dust in an effort to avoid projects or group work. I didn’t care about the health hazards as my only goal was to free myself. Later I found out a kid died of what doctors called “white lung syndrome.” This maneuver never works in corporate America. The government has so many regulations, you can’t handle radiation, you can’t handle asbestos, you can’t chip lead paint any more…come on brother! How is a man suppose to get out of real work?
  1. Check marks: Check marks were always the weapon of choice when the teacher was away. Somebody steps out of line…they get a check mark. Don’t like somebody? Checkmark with a plus.

“Hey Bob, do you have that report ready?”
“No, it’s gonna take me a few more days.”
“How about a big fat check mark? Huh?”
“Bill, no, no, no! Not the checkmark! You’ll have the report today.”

  1. Your permanent record. How many times was this thrown up in your face? I have never been to a job interview where I was asked for my permanent record or where my permanent record was the reason for me not getting the job. If it is permanent where is it stored? Do I have a right to it?

What lies have you exposed or experiences you have found to untrue as you entered the real world? How many people have actually died from a comma splice?

Comments

# re: School vs. the real world....we were lied to!!

Wednesday, February 21, 2007 5:26 AM by Zach

cant forget extra credit can we? All I get now are brownie points which arent anything anyways.

# re: School vs. the real world....we were lied to!!

Thursday, February 22, 2007 3:38 PM by fleur_de_lis

How about "That's not fair"! Oh wait, you still hear that in the real world, too.