End of an Era

[ssgross]

Well, after ~17 years of teaching college, either as a full time faculty or part time adjunct, I just gave my last final exam (it was Calculus). I have a few things to say now that I've thrown in that towel.

The current generation of college freshmen spent their middle school on a screen, or not at all, locked out of the classroom and locked away from the live discussion so critical to developing creative problem solving skills. In many cases they spent the next 4 years "remediating the learning loss", which is code for re-doing middle school math and not really covering any high school topics at the depth or difficulty required for later success. I've seen the effects first-hand in the college classroom. Teachers kick the can down the road, but the can ends up in my classroom. Compounding these effects is the movement of lower level teachers away from using homework as a learning tool (because it is "a punishment for the kids that won't do it"). How is a young engineer supposed to actually learn something without any experience solving a problem completely on their own? I could write volumes on the necessary and strategic value of such activities. No, the immediate future is quite scary considering that degrees in dangerous subjects (chemistry, engineering, computer security, etc.) will still be awarded with inflated grades, and tight job markets with short supply will still give them all jobs based on faulty credentials alone. Think about that in the coming years the next time you drive over a bridge, or flip on the autopilot switch in your self-driving car. The person in charge likely asked chat-gpt for the answer, and is betting with your life that it is correct.

So those are the facts. But that is not why I'm quitting. In spite of all the above, I still find teaching to be very fulfilling and one of the most rewarding activities of my career - watching and facilitating young minds grow and blossom into real problem solvers. I have been blessed to watch many succeed who otherwise might have fallen through the cracks (much like me). But now my own kids are at that same critical age of discovering the value in hard work, perseverance, and chasing an interesting problem into whatever subject area thier idea might lead. And I'm tired of missing evening ball games, parent-teacher conferences, helping with homework (not much to do there these days) or just hanging out in the back yard after a long day.

So cheers - to more time in the shop, more time chasing other problems, and more time with kids and family (hopefully in the shop!)

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[Sapper740]

I feel your conflicting emotions as I am 104 days away from retirement, but who's counting. I've changed careers a few times over the decades but have really enjoyed my most recent - data center operations. I too am concerned who is going to keep the internet up after I and my contemporaries retire. Of our current 8 man crew there are 4 of us in our Sixties, 3 of us in our Fifties, and one youngster in his Thirties. Our original team has shrunk by 3 as attrition has taken its toll without suitable replacements found due to the proliferation of data centers in my area all with needs of experienced operators. My company is keenly aware of the impending shortage of trained operators and is holding many brain-storming sessions on how to fill the positions but no amount of benefits, bonuses, perks and pay offered seem to entice Millennials and Gen Zers. I'm sure the same can be said for other skilled trades and I fear when I'm 85 and the AC goes out I'll be climbing up in the attic to fix it myself.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Circumstances (mostly of our own making) have the plane throttled up and pointing earthward and many or most are spatially disoriented by the noise and chaos which surrounds us. In my view with exceptions the next generation has limited to no problem-solving skills, no self-discipline and no ability to differentiate between a need and a want. Some dependence on others provides commerce. We can't all be doctors or plumbers. Seems most kids can't change their own oil or mow the grass.

“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
? G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain

I think the washing machine is just before changing cycles.

Good news. Gods in control.
Still a good idea to buckle up.

[Surpmil]

Thanks for sharing your insights ssgross, depressing as they are.

[ssgross]

depressing as they are

On a more positive thought, such things do tend to create opportunity for those who otherwise wouldn't have had it. When surrounded by silver spoon types with worthless work ethics, it's much easier for others to stand out. Being "smart" isn't about how much you know, certainly isn't about how much your parents forked over for your education. It's about what you are capable of figuring out and the perseverance and lengths you are willing to go find it. In that regard, I've seen high school interns outperform graduate students. The decline is that the density of eager and driven learners has been going down, with the pandemic accelerating it to rock bottom. They are still out there, just harder to find. When you do see one, they stand out all the more.

I'm still working my day job. Just took my evenings back.

[CINDERS]

ssgross ~ I came from the generation where we played in black sand, played with green & grey soldiers in our backyards (Green always won just!), built billy carts with no brakes, lost heaps of bark, built corrugated iron canoes which always sank, climbed and fell out of trees, built underground cubbies oblivious of the inherent danger!
And yes got beltings for being naughty or showing disrespect but we learnt very young how to have fun and solve our own problems to start on the path of being self reliant.

I had visions of working the land went to Ag school, worked on a dairy farm then broad acre wheat & sheep then went completely sideways and went into construction in 1980 oh boy what a journey the next 29 years were would have been a great novel if I'd kept a diary some of the early day stuff was just out of sight.
Anyway short story ended up operating cranes for 27 years, 25 of those years as a hire crane operator I say operator as I was trained by 2 of the best people the last one worked for Sparrows cranes in England for years he assisted me when I was operating conventional lattice boomed Lima's truck & crawlers, there are many drivers out there but few operators.
The hire game is as cut throat as can be not only with companies vying for clientele but getting the most out of their operators (We had drivers in the companies as well) with ridiculous hours and using under capacity cranes to do the job which happened more often than not.

As the operator you are it the "Captain of the ship" and I have on occasions put gingerbeers in their place as to who is in control of the task as some of them were just a PITA with no clue your expected if it goes south to ensure you can clear the workers, save the crane next, yourself figures last in the equation.
I have been in that last place due to unforeseen circumstances as I do not possess xray vision nor carry around a penetrometer but taking the clients word as to ground compaction and underground services like sumps and electrical/drainage trenches.
I will catagorically state it is a sh*te show sitting there saving it whilst planted in that seat with the crane doing its best to go down never tipped one over but had some very scary moments.
Also any hire crane operator who states they have never over lifted is porky pieing when I was operating the 160 tonne Liebherr LTM - 2 (Great crane) I lost count of the times the computer was at 130% actually that's where the value stopped, the worst ever I was on a 500E3 Kato a 100% overload good for 17 tonne picking 34 Tonne.
Anyway that's what was expected as with a young family & mortgage there were plenty more waiting for your spot in the end I screwed my back had 14 months off work retrained and did safety for the next 12 years that's another fiasco working for large companies!

But during my sojurn on cranes (I started as a dogman) in relation to the hire crane industry as I was working for Brambles Manford at the time I made up a phrase which holds true today;
"DESPERATE SOLUTIONS TO IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS."
As with the clock ticking the client doesn't want you scratching your date and your boss has another job for you that you should have been at an hour ago.......!

Would I swap my memories and all the funny episodes and work colleagues, nope, went to all points of the compass, saw plenty and did a bit.
I actually still have my old paper license I attained it states, "Licensed to operate any crane other than driven by steam".
CINDERS

[ssgross]

first thing on my list of to-does with my newfound time is plan a road trip with my son. Gets his permit this summer. I've been dreaming of the experience ever since he was born. I have of course thought up several options over the years, but I'm biting my tongue to give him a chance to come up with something. On thing is for sure...no GPS will be allowed. I'll carry the InReach I use for backwoods hiking for emergencies and so mom can track us. Finding your way, getting lost occasionally, asking a local for directions, is all part of the fun!

[Ovidio]

first thing on my list of to-does with my newfound time is plan a road trip with my son. Gets his permit this summer. I've been dreaming of the experience ever since he was born. I have of course thought up several options over the years, but I'm biting my tongue to give him a chance to come up with something. On thing is for sure...no GPS will be allowed. I'll carry the InReach I use for backwoods hiking for emergencies and so mom can track us. Finding your way, getting lost occasionally, asking a local for directions, is all part of the fun!

That will be great. I love to ride to the summer vacation sites we choose with my kids. One for the trip to the place, another for the trip from there to grandma and one from there to home. Generally, a full day of Moto Guzzi on mountain roads for each one. We all have great memories from those trips.
Then, when I can, I love to take them somewhere else. Last July, my son was through the exams at university, and I had a trip to Israel. For work. Bought him a ticket and we shared three days together… How great that was! I’m planning now to take my youngest daughter to South Africa. Can’t wait for that. The other daughter I took to Nova Scotia, where she’s spending her semester. That is the most valuable time with your kids, together with our yearly skiing week!
Can’t wait for the next opportunity!

[Sapper740]

End of an era, beginning of a new one: I'm softening the blow of retiring from a very enjoyable career as a data center operator by buying myself the modern progeny of an old milsurp, a Power Wagon. I'm picking this bad boy up tomorrow:

[Lee Enfield]

Take up a second career, teach kids to drive, and shift manual transmissions.

It used to be hard to find people who could shift, now just the ability to drive is hard to find.

Try to find young people who can pass a drug test.

Western society appears doomed.