The question of whether our government should promote science and technology or the liberal arts in higher education isn't an either/ or proposition(命题), although the current emphasis on preparing young Americans for STEM ( science, technology, engineering, maths)-related fields can make it seem that way.
我们的政府应该在高等教育中促进科学技术还是文科的问题不是一个非此即彼的命题(命题),尽管目前强调让美国年轻人为 STEM(科学、技术、工程、数学)相关领域做好准备,这似乎是这样的。
The latest congressional report acknowledges the critical importance of technical training, but also asserts that the study of the humanities (人文学科) and social sciences must remain central components of America's educational system at all levels. Both areas are critical to producing citizens who can participate effectively in our democratic society, become innovative leaders, and benefit from the spiritual enrichment that the reflection on the great ideas of mankind overtime provides.
最新的国会报告承认技术培训的极端重要性,但也断言,人文学科和社会科学的研究必须继续成为美国各级教育体系的核心组成部分。这两个领域对于培养能够有效参与我们的民主社会、成为创新领导者并从对人类伟大思想的反思所提供的精神充实中受益的公民都至关重要。
Parents and students who have invested heavily in higher education worry about
在高等教育上投入巨资的家长和学生担心 graduates' job prospects as technological advances and changes in domestic and
毕业生的就业前景随着技术进步和国内的变化而变化 global markets transform professions in ways that reduce wages and cut jobs. Under
全球市场以降低工资和裁员的方式改变职业。下 these circumstances, it's natural to look for what may appear to be the most
在这些情况下,寻找可能看起来最“practical” way out of the problem:“Major in a subject designed to get you a job”
“实用”的出路:“主修一门旨在让你找到工作的学科” seems the obvious answer to some, though this ignores the fact that many
对某些人来说似乎是显而易见的答案,尽管这忽略了许多 disciplines in the humanities characterized as“soft” often, in fact, lead to employment
事实上,人文学科中被描述为“软”的学科往往会带来就业 and success in the long run. Indeed, according to surveys, employers have
以及从长远来看的成功。事实上,根据调查,雇主已经 expressed a preference for students who have received a broadly-based education
表示偏爱接受过基础广泛的教育的学生 that has taught them to write well, think critically, research creatively, and
这教会了他们写得好、批判性思考、创造性地研究,以及 communicate easily.
轻松沟通。
Moreover, students should be prepared not just for their first job, but for their 4th and5th jobs, as there's little reason to doubt that people entering the workforce today will be called upon to play many different roles over the course of their careers. The ones who will do the best in this new environment will be those whose educations have prepared them to be flexible. The ability to draw upon every available tool and insight— picked up from science, arts, and technology— to solve the problems of the future, and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves, will be helpful to them and the United States.
此外,学生不仅应该为他们的第一份工作做好准备,还应该为他们的第 4 份和第 5 份工作做好准备,因为几乎没有理由怀疑今天进入劳动力市场的人在他们的职业生涯中将被要求扮演许多不同的角色。在这种新环境中表现最好的人将是那些接受教育后让他们变得灵活的人。能够利用一切可用的工具和见解——从科学、艺术和技术中汲取的——来解决未来的问题,并利用出现的机会,将对他们和美国有所帮助。