Heart versus brain

MANILA, Philippines - Choosing between what you want and what you need is always a laborious task  whether it’s through forming relationships, consuming fast food, or, as a whole generation of young people are finding, deciding to take up either, say, engineering or fashion design in college.

Still, there’s merit in the traditional. After all, where does a society of artists and no accountants leave us? An economy in decline, most probably. Accounting, business, engineering  the pillars of society: it seems no one really wants to take up those disciplines anymore.

“Traditional courses train young people in the fundamentals of business management, innovation and excellence, which are the cornerstones of a successful career and gainful employment, regardless of industry,” Jam dela Vega, assistant sourcing manager at Citibank, says.

“The truth is, a lot of the highly technical and specialized skills are best learned after you learn the fundamentals through further studies, diligent self-study and… training and development.”

It takes a lot of courage to stick it out with traditional courses. It is actually admirable to embrace the marvels of simplicity. The kids will be all right if we choose life, and not opt for doing it yourself and wondering who you are on a Sunday morning, as Irvine Welsh memorably puts it.