What is the purpose of a university education?

There is currently a dilemma within higher education. What is the purpose of a university education? Is it the pursuit of knowledge or is to prepare people for jobs? Historically, universities were for the elite and the purpose was the pursuit of higher knowledge. But times have fortunately changed, and now a university education is within the grasp of many people. Students today view a university degree as a necessary requirement to finding valued employment. For them, it's about job preparation, what formerly was the domain of trade schools and community colleges. On the other hand, most academics would still argue that the purpose is the pursuit of higher knowledge, not job preparation. I suggest that we need to do both but this means changing the current system. We need to figure out a way to combine the pursuit of knowledge with the development of the skills required for work. To do this we have to revamp the current curriculum so that the degree program includes the development of the skills the work world requires. We need to review the core objectives of each degree program. Then we need to ensure that the individual courses within the program align with the objectives of the degree. This is a challenging task and will involve much thought. Most importantly, it will take a new attitude from the people involved at all levels in higher education. The reward is that we will end up with a university program that has regained its relevance, one that encompasses both the pursuit of knowledge and the development of the key skills needed for the work world.