Book Review: Shop Class as Soulcraft

I recently finished the book Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew Crawford. I'll be honest and admit that I originally didn't expect to enjoy this book, mostly because I'm not really a "let's get our hands dirty" kind of girl--I can hardly cook, I do laundry about once a month (and average about at least one ruined article of clothing per wash), and I grew up having my dad do any necessary house/car/misc. repairs. But while there were many parts of the book where it was a little hard to relate, I still understand Crawford's main points.

First, here's a little background on Crawford. He has a Ph.D. in political philosophy from the University of Chicago, served as a postdoctoral fellow on its Committee on Social Thought, and is currently a fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia. He also happens to be very passionate about motorcycles. In fact, he owns and operates Shockoe Moto, an independent motorcycle repair shop in Richmond, VA. So basically, this guy is the real deal.

In Shop Class as Soulcraft, Crawford describes some of his jobs after getting a higher education. To his disappointment, he found that most of the work he did stuck in a cubicle did not actually require him to challenge himself mentally. To make a long story short, he ended up opening up a motorcycle repair shop, and he enjoyed it much more than simply doing chug and plug autopilot kind of work in which he never got to see physical results. When he was describing the kind of work he previously did and how unsatisfactory it was for him, it really got me thinking about my own level of content with my own job. In describing the intricate and oftentimes frustrating process of learning as you go and figuring things out through trial and error while repairing motorcycles, it made me gain an appreciation for the work of mechanics that makes my life so much easier. It's a shame that blue collered jobs are looked down upon and viewed as "lesser than" in today's society, although their work is so important. It made me realize the backwardness of someone having a college education receiving more value than a tradesman who may actually produce more viable work.

Society today is pushing for everyone to have a higher education, and while I think that there are many great institutions out there, I don't think college is for everyone. Also, depending on the field, more knowledge may be acquired while getting actual hands-on experience in the work place than in a classroom. I really respected Crawford's decision to break from the conformity of society to do what he really feels passionate about. I don't think many people today with a Ph.D. would turn away from a white collar job to open up his/her own motorcycle repair shop. From Crawford's experience it made me realize that for some, in order to find true happiness it may require rejecting a life course mapped out by others as obligatory and inevitable. To some it may seem crazy and stupid, but it's your life, and you should do what you need to do in order to be content. As Crawford would say, "Live well."

Lastly, Crawford asserts that in order to be a better worker and to challenge yourself, you must learn to accept failure. You can never know too much; there is always something else to be learned. I think that is something we all forget from time to time as we become comfortable in our jobs and fall into a monotonous routine. We should continuously challenge ourselves even if the outcome isn't what we had hoped it to be, and in doing so, we will become improved individuals who will take that experience and apply it to the next, thus doing what it takes to "live well."

So ask yourself, are you content? With your career? With your life? Are you doing what you want to do or are you simply following the path that society has already shown its approval towards?

College Or No College?

I read an article in NYTimes yesterday about how going to college may not be the best solution for everyone. While I do agree that some are just not "school" kinds of people, the article does report statistics that the majority of those with college degrees make more money than those without degrees and that their chances of being unemployed is less. That to me makes sense because if students are going to school for a few years to become knowledgeable about certain topics, and they are paying thousands of dollars in the process, they should be rewarded for their dedication, time, and money put into furthering their education with a good job afterward. I sometimes shudder when I think about how much money went towards getting a dual B.A., but I just have to hope that it will pay off eventually.

Today, I think it has become not only increasingly important but also almost expected of young adults to continue on the path of achieving a college degree after graduating high school, but I also understand that not every benefits the same amount by continuing school. While a college or university can help culturally enrich lives, cultivate new, open-minded outlooks, and serves as a great place to network, others may argue that those who go straight to the workplace are more prepared for what it takes to live in the real world. I understand that becoming a part of the workforce helps to develop a whole new set of problem solving skills that may not be achievable in the classroom, but I really think it just depends on the individual and how he/she makes use of the time out of school in order to make the claim that the individual gained more than a college student.

While it's difficult for me to understand why one wouldn't want to stay in school for as long as possible (partly because I am a nerd and like learning and partly because college is so much different than high school, it is like a whole new experience), I do think that one who does not attend can still be successful as long as there is determination and self-discipline to make use of that time.

In the Times article, Morton Schapiro, an economist who is the president of Northwestern University said, “I’m not saying don’t get the B.A. I’m saying, let’s get them some intervening credentials, some intervening milestones. Then, if they want to go further in their education, they can.” I like what Schapiro is saying here. Since job competition is growing fierce, it is important not only to get that degree but to also gain some "real" experience in addition. Building up one's resume while in college is ideal. Schools are now stressing those summer internships more than ever, even if they are unpaid, because experience is essential to landing a good job, not just the name of the university you attended.

I'm nervous about finding a job for myself, but the young adults to come are going to have to be even more intelligent and experienced. Yikes!