Here’s a super-special piece of C.R.A.P. (Collectibles Rare And Precious) that many have already suggested just might be priceless. Nevertheless, it’s for sale, RIGHT HERE, right now to the highest bidder. And I’m more than a little curious to see where it winds up.
As you can see, the C.R.A.P. in question is a “Work Smart AND Hard” poster, thoughtfully signed by Glenn Beck and yours truly. For those of you that saw the PSA on GBTV, these posters are regularly available here at mikeroweWORKS. They were designed to be displayed in high schools in order to stimulate conversation and challenge the moronic assumption that a four-year degree is the only way to get a useful education. We’ve sold thousands, and raised a decent amount for work ethic scholarships along the way. You can have as may as you want for 10 bucks a pop. We also have autographed versions for $100. However, a signature as unique as Glenn’s, along with his unique artistic stylings scratched onto the fleshy palate of my face wrinkled visage, elevate this particular poster to an unprecedented and highly-collectible status.
To own this one-of-a-kind masterpiece, follow the link to E-Bay. Bid high and irresponsibly. All proceeds, as always, benefit 
the mikeroweWORKS Scholarship Fund. And if you didn’t see the PSA that Glenn aired on his channel, you can see it here. Entertainment value aside, it confirms beyond all doubt the veracity of Glenn’s artistic integrity, his unparalleled munificence, his unflagging tenacity, and his dogged support of education and skilled labor in all it’s many iterations.
So thanks Glenn for your support. And thanks to everyone else for bidding.
Mike
PS. If you’re bored, fascinated by behind-the scenes footage, and curious about the process that brought this poster to life, you might also enjoy this video. Then again, you might be left wondering precisely how much time I’ve actually got on my hands. And subsequently, yours. Only one way to find out…
MIke, I will concede that a college education does not help much these days. I agree that education pushes 4 year college more than they should. We need more tech/skills classes. The problem with pushing these courses is that it tends to end up being the low income, racially divided classes that end up in these classes. Tech. skills jobs in the past are rather a “boom and Bust” type of job. Many get laid off, replaced by technology or outsourced. That being said, just the ability to work hard at whatever you do is a simple basic skill that everyone should have..
I disagree, respectfully of course, with Gary Jones. College education can be a way to success in work. It depends on what direction you’re pointing and whether or not you can be educated without incurring loads of debt. Like Mike Rowe’s family DEBT= 4-letter word in my household. My son often expresses gratitude that he was able to graduate university with no debt. But to make that happen required lots of pre-planning and involved many varieties of luck, too.
The idea of one-size-fits-all, everyone should go to college, is just as wrong-headed as saying “college education doesn’t help much these days.” I grew up with the idea that college was required, probably because my dad so wanted to be able to finish college and couldn’t afford to do so. I was living out his dream, and it turned out well for me. My brother, on the other hand, struggled through school, didn’t complete a four-year degree, has taken lots of specific skills courses at post-secondary schools and is a highly-competent HVAC technician. Not going to college turned out well for him.
Let’s get past the one-size-fits-all idea and look for ways to educate people so that they have knowledge, skills&abilities, and understanding that enable them to find the work and life success they wish.
I had received W2s from 43 different employers before I was 40 and that time included 7 years wasted at struggling for a college degree (while working) which I attained at 36. The last 2 years were in Missoula, Montana BA (InterCultural Relations) June 1974. (Worked full time nights -40 degrees, Lumber Mill, carrying 15+ units days, University of Montana)
I surely have ideas about the impracticability of going to college.
Had to, but I wish I hadn’t !
Primarily, you can drive a jackass to water, but you can’t make him smart.
I learned more by digging ditches and working with dirt folks than I ever did from clean finger nailed PhD’s telling me how to communicate, interact, and interrelate with peoples.
I used to think I was an expert at gettin jobs (gettin ‘em, not keeping ‘em) but I am now facing challenging odds at 75 and looking for work.
Sometimes I think I have had it tough, but then I think of my wife, (still after 54 years) !
Paying $20k a year for 4 or 5 years in hopes of getting a job that pays $40k a year seems a bit asnine to me. The reality of the situation is that there are not as many jobs or careers that REQUIRE a degree as those toadies pushing the “every body has to go to college” mantra. Kids, Parents, High School “guidance” counselors and College “guidance” counselors need to take a step back, breathe deep and evaluate when their goals are. I worked my way into the engineering profession with about 30 units from a JC. My stuff flies overhead, underwater, in space, implanted in your body, and more than likely some of it will leave the solar system at some point in my lifetime, with a healthy 6 figure annual salary, 4 weeks vacation, etc, to boot…… all without a college degree. Matter of fact, all that with a 2.14GPA (AT BEST IIRC)from High School.
If you’re not sure what you want to do, sure, go to a Junior College, take some electives and maybe a core class or two just in case you find something you really like that may require a degree and pursue it. Otherwise stop incurring student loan debt and get on with your life.