Innovation isn’t in the curriculum

Robin Sinclair is correct in her recap of the entrepreneurial track of courses available at the Coastline Regional Occupational Program (“Smith should mind our business,” Mailbag, Monday). The program is solid.

One of the problems here is that at the time I included “college” in my cry for more programs that teach young people to be their own boss, I was fully aware of the Coastline program.

The other problem is that I just made my point badly.

What I really wanted to do was lament the overall lack of encouragement of any independent thinking or action in most of our schools, public or private ? although there is evidence that some charter and private schools are more willing to tolerate independence than are public schools.

Most schools today have become factories, turning out kids like widgets, with otherwise well-meaning teachers acting more like foremen on an assembly line than the life inspirations they want and need to be.

Part of their challenge is a point made here many times over the years: Teachers are burdened with too much to teach. Each semester is a race against the clock and curriculum, and affords little time, if any, to simply stop, take a deep breath and engage in a deep discussion with students about what is going on in the world.

Yes, I know that these discussions do take place from time to time, but there was an era in which these exchanges were woven into the fabric of our educational system. Not in algebra, of course, but in other classes such as history or English, where they belong.

There are some who believe that such discussions do not belong in a public school setting, but I would challenge that by demanding to know where, if not in a classroom, such a thoughtful exchange between kids can take place.

Church, perhaps, or occasionally at home, but in a precious few other settings.

Kids need to discuss big issues. More than that, they need to know that adults care about these issues and want them to think about them.

Right now, the master of fine arts degree is on its way to eclipsing the MBA in value ? something the New York Times noted awhile back. Moving forward, we will appreciate and more highly value style and innovation that has principles.

If you want to get a handle on the trend, I encourage you to visit www.business innovationinsider.com.

Not everyone is cut out to be his or her own boss. But the worst crime would be the unrealized potential of a child in school. As the poster boy for that, not having settled on a passion until I was 43 years old, I can tell you that the experience is unsettling.

Imagine living your life knowing that you are destined to do something else but not knowing what it should be and having no place to go and no one to help you figure it out.

If you have not figured out what to do with the rest of your life and need the summer to figure it out, there are some local job opportunities available to you, thanks to the Orange County Fair.

One of the open positions as of June 6 was guest services representative. You need to be 18 or older for this one, but you may not want the job even if you are old enough.

The “why not” is in the job description: Provides customer service to guests. Assists with requests for special needs, such as handicap services. Handles complaints, comments and suggestions. Ensures that guests depart the fairgrounds with a positive experience. Provides various types of information to guests.

It’s that part about ensuring that guests depart the fairgrounds with a positive experience that is the deal breaker.

During the fair, you see, there is only one way to ensure that positive experience. And since that involves winning a stuffed toy of any size on the fair’s midway, which we all know is impossible, the job is nothing but trouble.

Here’s another one. Parking ticket seller: “The qualified candidate must be detail oriented, able to apply basic mathematical skills, extremely accurate with handling and exchanging money, and possess excellent customer service skills. Will work outdoors during all types of weather. Must be able to work, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.”

Why, you may ask, does this position require “excellent customer service skills,” unlike the guest services position, which does not have such a requirement?

That’s because if you get this job, you’re going to hear a lot of interesting comments from people who are upset at laying down the equivalent of a week’s pay just so they can park their car in the lot for a few hours.

Then there’s that math clause. No thanks.

There’s more. They also need a welder, a plumber and an electrician. Hey, if they were all walking into a bar, that would be the start of a good joke.

But seriously, folks. If you know someone looking for an alternative to being a graduate of Widget U, check into the entrepreneurial development programs at Coastline.

And if you know someone who just wants to be really close to funnel cakes for a while, go to www.ocfair.com.