The Educated Reporter: Wal-Mart U.

The Educated Reporter: Wal-Mart U.

Wal-Mart U.

by Linda Perlstein

When I was at Wesleyan, the college did not give me credit for my jobs as a record store clerk, pizza slinger and Friendly’s waitress. So maybe the reason this story, about Wal-Mart employees getting college credit for ringing up customers, rubs me wrong is because I am jealous?

Seriously—I think there is a place for accounting for life experience when it comes to admissions and, in very specific situations, academic credit. And it is great when companies facilitate the educational goals of their employees. But how valuable is a degree in retail management that is built in large part on loading trucks?