Why Don't the Unemployed In Detroit Get Jobs in Ann Arbor? They Lack the Skills

"13 Reasons Colleges Are in This Mess" is the lead story in the March 13 Chronice of Higher Education. "How greed, incompetence, and neglect led to bad decisions."

Among the 13 common mistakes: risky investments, lazy trustees, cheap credit, "bowed to boosters."

The Chronicle is a refreshing truth-teller! I treasure my subscription.... available to all.

Catherine, your spunk is great!

In truth, nobody ever asked my for my hard-won, painfully acquired BA in English from Smith College when I looked for low-level editorial work at the U. of Michigan circa 1970. Nobody told me all those pro-forma ads were for jobs already promised to insiders!

The only time I ever made much money was the entrepreneurial way. I founded, edited, and published the Ann Arbor Observer monthly from 1976-86 with my then-husband. Yes, writing skills were important.... I think I learned the most in high school.

But other factors in success were true grit in the school of life: thinking about which advertisers we could serve best, selling those ads, fussing over circulation, not being ashamed to deliver bundles of our publication from our old pickup truck (and having ink all up my inner arm in summer). It didn't hurt that my dad was a stubborn German, and I had to be, too.

Oh, yes.... our sweat equity came from our shared job as caretakers of the First Baptist Church. I cleaned toilets, mopped floors, etc. at the age of 32, with that Smith BA and a U-M MA. Our job made us free.... free from creditors, nonprofit boards, etc.

Mary Hoffmann Hunt of MI 12:42PM March 11, 2009