Posts by Anthony Stewart5

Adam Diaz67 said:Regarding internships in high schools and colleges—our education system looks pretty similar to the German one on paper, but the catch is we don't have the massive industrial backbone that Germany has. I mean, how many companies are there actually capable of taking on a young mechanical technician for an internship and truly teaching them the ropes? Or a junior IT tech? When I was working at Siemens in Austria, we had kids from those vocational schools coming in for internships all the time. And they weren't just sitting around; they were doing actual technician work under the supervision of a senior pro who was specifically paid extra to mentor them. Once they graduated, a lot of them just stayed on in the same roles. Instead of an apprenticeship agreement—since yes, those internships are actually paid—they just transitioned straight into full employment contracts. Here, interns often just get treated like errand runners meant to fetch coffee or snacks, or even worse, places will just sign off on their internship hours and send them packing. It’s not uncommon for a student to have to hunt down their own mandatory internship because the school can't provide one. Take a vocational school for CNC operators, for example; a graduate should be ready to run a machine independently right away. But here, a kid is lucky if they're even allowed to touch the machine during their internship, let alone receive any real training.

That effectively summarizes everything there is to say regarding vocational education.

A colleague of mine completed two years of high school vocational training where she held a formal contract, received a steady paycheck, and performed administrative duties—work that usually requires a four-year business degree. I have spoken with her extensively about this, and neither she nor her peers harbor any resentment toward those who pursued university degrees.
At the end of the day, it comes down to economic stability; she is living a perfectly comfortable life thanks to her training, whereas many others who finish standard business programs find themselves stuck in low-level clerical roles at local government offices earning barely enough to get by.

shadowtiger0 said:Hold on, I didn't realize that—so there isn't any vertical mobility like we have back home?

From what I can gather, our academic gatekeepers basically play games with professional degrees—they just won't let you move up to a doctorate, though I've heard that's starting to shift lately—whereas abroad, the path is wide open. I actually know people personally who finished a five-year professional program here and headed straight for a PhD overseas, even though they wouldn't have stood a chance in the American system.

Of course there isn't a single standard, as earning a Master's or a PhD is an entirely different matter altogether, and universities themselves dictate their own specific prerequisites for admission?

Is it truly possible to simply walk away from a specialized vocational program and transition directly into higher education without any further preparation? One might wonder if such a leap is feasible, yet the reality suggests that a more structured approach is required.

What we are truly lacking is sufficient hands-on experience compared to our peers, which means that even after completing vocational training, students emerge with only a fragmented understanding of their craft; yet, isn't the entire purpose of such programs to ensure they are fully prepared to hit the ground running in the American workforce?

nimblelynx7 said:So they're actually that good? The exam has to be watered down just so they can get through admissions?

Quincy:

Mad Hatter Asks: The fact that students from other four-year vocational schools can even sit for the high school equivalency exams—without having to pull an extra year or two of "bridge classes"—is a massive concession to vocational programs. In most other systems, that’s just unthinkable. If they want to pursue a university degree, they should be forced to complete all the missing general education credits from a standard high school curriculum before they're even allowed near a final exam. And let's be clear: passing that exam doesn't grant them a free pass to study anything they want; it only qualifies them for specialized vocational degrees within their own field. For instance, training to be a nurse isn't the same thing as studying medicine. It's a distinction that needs to stay firm.

Meeting them halfway? On what grounds? They walk around acting like they’re some kind of supermen, yet we're expected to take the exact same exam as them—even though they didn't study the same material or even take the same courses. It makes no sense.
I've got a few names floating around in my head for this, but "meeting halfway" just doesn't cut it.

The local technical high schools follow nearly the same math curriculum as the specialized prep academies, so I am not sure what you are getting at.

Even the hospitality vocational schools cover the same English language requirements.

Admittedly, providing paths from vocational schools to universities is a concession left over from the old educational frameworks, but it makes sense; anywhere in the US, if you attend a school to become a legal secretary, you cannot simply enroll in a university degree program without passing certain prerequisite courses.

Some of the wealthiest nations have handled this with much more rigor. A friend of mine has a girlfriend who finished her vocational business training by age sixteen and spent the following two years in internships. In our system, those students move straight into economics programs. It seems that wealthy Switzerland has solved this issue through the most uncompromising method possible: rigorous selection beginning as early as preschool.

nimblelynx7 said:Are we talking about those same universities that bend their entrance requirements just to cater to prep school kids? Is that why the national exams are rigged to match those elite private academy curriculums, just making it easier for those "supermen" graduates to breeze right through enrollment?

It’s just impossible. Imagine some university literature professor walking into a hospital, only to be met by a nurse who’s nothing more than a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party. Someone who knows their job but hasn't the slightest clue about realism, let alone Fyodor Dostoevsky or The Iliad.

I have a kid too. Preschool age right now.
I wasn't born in my 30s like some of these parents today.
There’s zero socialization happening here, let alone any actual self-discipline. All you’re learning is how to be obedient—and in the process, you’re just making yourself unfit for the real world.
I see plenty of benefits here.
I don't see the issue. Letting a kid stay home alone for three hours to just sit with their own thoughts isn't a crime.
Seriously, instead of being handed three ready-made meals, they’ll actually have to prepare at least one themselves. Heat it up in the microwave, or heaven forbid, use a stove. Are we really going to let our kids—even if it's a boy—learn how to use a stove? Better they just memorize the GDP of Uzbekistan instead.
Imagine walking through the door only to realize the heat isn't on because someone left the radiator valves shut—or even worse, the water heater is switched off entirely. What kind of logic is that? We shouldn't have to sit a child down for a lecture just so they can learn how to operate basic home appliances.

Absolute disaster. Total lack of oversight, zero self-discipline, just pure, unbridled autonomy. It's a mess.

Most parents back then just made it work. Seriously, they survived, and they even managed to raise us. My grandparents were out the door for work by 7 AM, while we kids were heading to school at 8—sometimes even pulling afternoon classes too. Everyone pulled through. Nobody died from hunger, thirst, or freezing in the winter. They just dealt with it.

One might be genuinely surprised by the sheer scale of socialization occurring today, particularly in this pervasive era of mobile devices where even children in preschool seem to already possess their own. Is it not remarkable how early these digital connections begin to shape the foundational experiences of our youth?

You are certainly entitled to your own perspective, and since this is a forum, there is no reason to deny anyone that right; however, should we not also allow space for the opposing view? My son was fortunate enough to be taught by two truly wonderful teachers whom he remembers fondly even to this day, one of whom managed to instill in him a genuine passion for mathematics—an outcome that proved to be an absolute godsend for his future. It was that single spark of inspiration that ultimately shaped the entire trajectory of his education.

rowdypanther12 said:Wait, what do you mean by "waiting for their parents"?

Fifth graders usually wrap up their school day by 1:00 PM at the latest. For instance, back when I was working, I wouldn't finish until 5:00 PM and wouldn't walk through my own front door until 5:30 PM.

That specific window of time... what are your children actually doing during those hours? Most music lessons and organized sports tend to be scheduled for the late afternoon. In my case, my child would simply stay home, though I cannot speak to the routines of others.

rowdypanther12 said:So it’s basically just like an after-school program in Chicago. 🤔The concept is slightly different, but it ends up being the same: school in the morning, a snack, more school, lunch, playtime, homework, and then another snack and some play.

That said, I don't really see the point in keeping kids aged 10 and up at school for that long. At that age, they don't need constant supervision anymore; what they actually need is peace and quiet to study and the freedom to be responsible.

That isn't quite right, because in a standard after-school program, you have the flexibility to pick up your child after lunch whenever you choose. Here, you can't simply show up before 4:00 PM when the official school day concludes. It isn't as if they finish their work early in the morning and spend the rest of the day fooling around; instead, the entire instructional day is stretched out, punctuated by breaks for rest, play, meals, and study sessions.

nimblelynx7 said:Why stop at 8th? Extend it until high school graduation? No, not graduation—until they get a college degree?

I don't know anything about your background, whether you have children, or what your own relationship with the education system looks like.

I am speaking strictly from my perspective as a parent. In our experience, when my child was in after-school care, they were exceptionally well looked after; they received three nutritious meals, had their homework completed, and returned home feeling genuinely content. Is it not true that many parents would find a sense of relief if they didn't have to spend every evening hovering over their children to ensure they study? Furthermore, wouldn't this provide children with a vital opportunity to socialize and cultivate a sense of self-discipline?
To be perfectly honest, I struggle to see any significant advantage in an eleven-year-old coming home at 12:30 or 1:00 PM only to sit around waiting for their parents to finish the workday. 🤷

Sarah Hall53 said:Nah, Cleveland only does that for the elementary level.
So why don't they just roll that out across the whole US?
The answer is pretty obvious: why pay two teachers when you can just dump everything on one person and save half the budget? That’s basically how Harvey Weinstein—who apparently runs the finance department at the Department of Education—thinks. He's like that guy who survives in any social circle by being just slippery enough, and his ultimate goal seems to be making teachers work 40 hours of straight instruction a week while actually paying the school for the privilege... well, if his recent moves and statements are anything to go by.

Under this model, parents essentially end up subsidizing the salary of the second teacher.

rowdypanther12 said:Wait, does that apply to subjects in Seattle too?
Could you give me some more info? When kids are learning, do they go to music school for all this stuff we've been talking about?

In Seattle, they only offer that for the lower grades.

Typically, one teacher handles half the subjects while another covers the rest. The school day pauses around noon for lunch and a quick break before resuming; one instructor takes the morning block, and the other manages the afternoon.

To make a day look, it follows this flow:
Morning assembly and a brief meeting to start the day
Breakfast
Classes, studying, or playtime
Lunch, combined with play and learning sessions
More lessons and tackling any necessary homework
Afternoon snack

The textbooks stay at the school from Monday through Friday, and students only take them home for the weekends.
It is worth noting that the fixed schedule was primarily for the specialized instructors teaching specific subjects; everything else was left to the discretion of the main teachers, allowing them to decide the best balance between instruction, playtime, and study sessions.

They have dedicated foreign language instructors as well; my child had a specialist for that in fourth grade, along with a music teacher, and I believe there were others as well, though I cannot recall specifically.

By the time the children entered fifth grade, they were completely prepared for specialized subject instruction thanks to that immersive full-day environment, and in my opinion, this model should be extended through eighth grade.

shadowtiger0 said:That sounds like a winner 👍

I have a thirty-year-old son who spent his entire life in all-day childcare programs, and since those types of educational structures still work perfectly well today, I find myself wondering why we are attempting to reinvent the wheel by creating problems where none exist? 🤔

Since 1979, the city of Cleveland has offered an all-day school program, a model that isn't universally available in every district. This initiative has been executed with remarkable success for over forty years, providing a structured environment where children remain on campus from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM at the latest. Specifically designed for the younger grades, the program ensures that every classroom is staffed by two teachers, allowing for a seamless integration of academic instruction and enriching leisure activities that children truly enjoy.

It is difficult to grasp what this individual could possibly hope to achieve by proposing such a concept, given that a system nearly identical to his vision is already successfully established right here in America.

wearycyclist57 said:That’s going to be a massive uphill battle since I don't even know some of the people living on the upper floors, let alone where they are. Getting signatures from all 11 co-owners is going to be nearly impossible—especially since one of those owners is actually the City of Cleveland, which owns a commercial space on the ground floor. Getting everyone on board feels like a long shot.

Anyway, what I really want to know is if there's some kind of tiny, prefabricated iron balcony out there? Like a little platform you can just step onto right outside the door? Just a small extension for my balcony doors so I can actually step outside. Basically, a miniature, pre-fab balcony that wouldn't require a building permit.

What could I possibly install without needing any kind of construction permit? Is there anything allowed that’s super tiny but still lets me step outside? What are the local building codes regarding this stuff? What am I legally allowed to put up without jumping through all those permit hoops?

Does anyone here actually know the building regulations? I'm planning on putting doors in where the windows are, so what could I mount on the outside to create a little landing or whatever you call it? Just a simple, prefab iron structure. And how big would it be allowed to be?

Is there any way to make this work? I just need some kind of exit from the bedroom, even if it's only 30 centimeters deep, just so I can step out and have a smoke once in a while.

You really think you’re some kind of visionary, don't you? You go out and purchase an apartment in a century-old building right in the heart of downtown, and suddenly you believe you have the right to start slapping on balconies and redesigning the entire facade. Is it not enough to simply own a piece of history, or do you feel entitled to dismantle its very soul? It seems you have no appreciation for the necessity of hiring conservationists, nor do you grasp the fundamental requirement for building permits and official city approvals. Does one truly believe that personal whims should supersede the structural integrity and historical preservation of our urban landscape?

Perhaps it would be most prudent to consult with the historical preservation officer first; if you do that now, you won't find yourself facing any further complications down the road.

That was precisely why the terms were so favorable. 😉

Gary Myers said:When I share ideas, it’s not about getting her blessing. It’s about reaching an informal agreement on a workflow I think would be faster and easier—basically just being more efficient without dragging upper management into everything. Our department doesn't have a direct supervisor; the CEO basically oversees all departments at once.

I’m not looking for a best friend. I’m just looking for a tolerable work environment. I don't want to feel this knot in my stomach every morning wondering if she’s going to snap at me or run to the boss over some random nonsense.

Honestly, I don't care about the gossip. But who she is *does* matter to me when she uses me as a punching bag for her frustrations. We don't need to be buddies, but I shouldn't have to be her emotional dumping ground.😉

Good call. 🙂

The gossip and the interruptions aren't why I'd report her. It's the screaming. She yells so loud you can hear it through closed doors in the next rooms over. People from those offices used to wander over just to see what the hell was happening. Even when people are actually stuck in the room with her, they look uncomfortable, and afterward, some of them pull me aside to say she's just not right. 🙂 That's why I'm posting here. Trying to handle this atmosphere for 8 hours a day is getting to me. I can already feel my composure slipping.
And word is, I'm doing most of the department's heavy lifting anyway.

👍

Even during those quiet periods, we barely speak. I just drink my coffee while I work.

You are a grown, adult woman.
Why on earth do you allow someone to yell at you like that?

Just put a stop to it—what exactly are you afraid of?
Or, quite simply, just walk out of the room.

I am not one for offering unsolicited advice, and I would say you should tell her exactly what you think of her behavior—since her actions say everything about her and nothing about you—but I am certainly in favor of you standing up for yourself.

First of all, you should be bringing your ideas directly to your supervisors rather than wasting them on that old lady; why on earth are you seeking her validation?
Secondly, remember that you went there to build a career, not to hunt for a social circle. No matter how draining the environment feels, she isn't under any obligation to be your friend.

Thirdly, you must stop involving yourself in her gossip and idle chatter. It simply isn't your business. An office isn't some neighborhood coffee shop where everyone gathers to bond over drama. Whatever her character may be, it has absolutely nothing to do with you.

Bring a pair of noise-canceling headphones to the office, put on some music, and just focus on your tasks.

What good would it do to go to management and say, "You know, she’s being difficult, interrupting people, and spreading rumors"?

Finally, if this woman isn't your direct manager, why are you allowing her to interrogate you about whether certain tasks are completed? For what purpose?
I understand you might feel a sense of deference because of her age, but you really need to let that go. Respect is earned through actions; it isn't something granted automatically just because someone has been around longer. When she tries to belittle you like that again, that is your moment to firmly state, "That doesn't concern you," or "You can handle that yourself."

Stop grabbing coffee with her, stop asking for her permission, and stop waiting for some imaginary truce to happen.
Consider this my official advice.
Focus on the job you are actually being paid to do, minimize your interactions with her, and stay far away from the petty office politics.
That is how you should frame your mindset.

If you find that you cannot mentally adjust to this dynamic, then perhaps it is time to start looking for a different job.

Amanda Ramirez38 said:If you had actually read my initial post—and I'm not sure when we decided to stop being formal—you'd see we HAD NO IDEA this was improper because we've never dealt with gas lines in an apartment before. How am I supposed to complain about something I didn't know was wrong? If a door or window is missing at the time of purchase, it's obvious. But if I don't know a technical setup is illegal (even though the former owner, the civil engineer, and the developer all knew), what exactly am I complaining about? Two different appraisers—hired and paid for by the previous owners—inspected the place and signed off on it. It has an energy certificate and a full report. So how is it possible that a technician from the utility company tells me I'm living in a technically non-compliant unit that should never have received a Certificate of Occupancy? And now you're telling me I should have filed a claim within two weeks? For something like this? I didn't crack a wall or break a door frame. Ultimately, that certificate (which isn't the core issue here, but is the only proof I have that the condition hasn't changed since I moved in) is a valid legal document, right? Except the data in it is fraudulent. It claims there's one bathroom with a tub and a separate toilet, yet the attached photos show the "bathroom" which is actually just the utility closet where the gas meter is, clearly showing a shower stall instead. Given that, what am I supposed to do?

You could do a great deal, or absolutely nothing at all.
Doing a lot would involve relocating the meter, filing a lawsuit against the former owner, and suing the appraisers he hired. Litigation in America, as we know, can drag on forever.

or

Simply relocate the meter... I am not certain of the exact procedure, but I suspect a few thousand dollars in contractor fees would resolve the matter entirely.

Look, moisture could have started appearing in every corner, those beautiful new windows could have turned out to be total junk, or the neighbors could be complete lunatics... anything could have gone wrong. And even if things did go wrong, it is unlikely a court would solve the problem. Moving the meter isn't such a massive ordeal. Don't forget that you actually have two bathrooms, rather than just a single restroom and a bath. 😉