Jewelry program or advice on education

to my question is, do I look for someone to apprentice with or do I
look at a degree program. 

Trade school. Faster, focused, the skills you need.

Elaine
http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com

What a great discussion topic this is! Karen Christian’s comments
are spot on - and not limited to this particular field, especially
the need for some sound basic business knowledge.

I came to jewellery fairly late in life, and did a two year
technical college Diploma course which placed fairly equal emphasis
on basic bench skills, design from a more ‘arty’ level and the
vocabulary of art. Then I did a year at University, with jewellery as
a major component. Here, the emphasis was more on the ‘art and
design’ side of things, with a very heavy slant to the arty,
absolutely non commercial side of jewellery. Acquisition of bench
skills was more by guess and by God or by reading and trying

without a lot of support and I regret to say I hated it, even though
I did pretty well.

These days, I’ve more or less settled down to making what I want as
a hobby, having decided that at 66 I no longer have the drive (or,
fortunately, the need) to try and make a living from my work or even
to ‘succeed’ with exhibitions.

In the end, it seems to me that the great ‘trick’ to all of the
education/training advice is for each individual to try and decide
exactly what it is that they really want (or need) to achieve in
making jewellery, (Sorry about the spelling, I tend to stick to the
English rather than American versions) given their current age, life
experience, needs and finances. Only when that decision is made can
one plan or choose the ‘right’ education or training to achieve that
objective.

What may are confusing here, is that the purpose of colleges and
universities is higher education, research, speculation, and
training students to think critically. The purpose of higher
education is not to train students to get a job.

Some community colleges have job training and certification programs
within the higher education model. An academic art program teaches
one the language of art, critical assessment with peers and faculty.

Many employers will favor an applicant who has a degree beyond high
school level. This just puts you at an edge above others who may not
have this.

Apprenticeship situations will train you in the technical skills of
the medium, also an invaluable tool to have under your belt.

I am a professor of art, and I really feel that if one can take
advantage of both types of learning situations you can synthesize
all of this into the art world or the workforce arena - to your
benefit.

Camille

We constantly hear from employers that many new hires with degrees
are not able to manage the routine tasks demanded in a jewelry store.
Or pass an employment screening bench test I.e. chain repair,
retipping, resizing, prong work etc. done in reasonable time
allotments. This is why we try very hard at the Jewelry Training
Center, to produce a student proficient in these areas.

On the flip side, most students are drawn to our industry in order
to be creative. JTC works to nurture creativity and custom jewelry
skills. We are very upfront with the student that the reality is:
Repair skills can keep your business open or give you a leg up in
finding employment in the industry. This allows you the financial
ability to exercise creativity-as opposed to seeking employment in a
totally different industry to support yourself in getting your
endeavors up and running. Think the actor working as a waiter. She
would likely benefit much more in understanding her craft if she was
employable as a stage hand or production assistant.

Just our thoughts on what education should do. It should be fun,
stimulating and a daily adventure of discovery BUT it should give you
a huge boost in buying groceries and putting a roof over your head by
teaching real world daily use skills.

Arthur Anton Skuratowicz
Director of Education JTC Inc.
http://www.JewelryTrainingCenter.com

What may are confusing here, is that the purpose of colleges and
universities is higher education, research, speculation, and
training students to think critically. The purpose of higher
education is not to train students to get a job. 

Possibly at one time that was true but here in the US at least the
main focus of the colleges and universities appears to be making/
raising money to keep the faculty and administration employed. The
education of the students, especially the undergrads seems to be a
distant concern.

James Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts

Camille,

What may are confusing here, is that the purpose of colleges and
universities is higher education, research, speculation, and
training students to think critically. The purpose of higher
education is not to train students to get a job. 

Without resorting to crude words I would say that your pronouncement
is typical ivory tower nonsense. The state should only allow colleges
and universities to exist when they pay thier freight, that is, when
they prepare students for professions.

A university education is worthless unless it can be recognized by an
employer as the student having paid one’s dues in terms of obtaining
the basic skills required for the job.

Otherwise, why have one? Education for its own sake is by now an
unaffordable luxury.

Its the job of parents to train thier children to think critically.
If children haven’t learned to think critically by the time they
reach college, then it is far too late for them to learn. As for the
rest, students can learn about how to speculate on thier own time.

Andrew Jonathan Fine

Oh dear,

Without resorting to crude words I would say that your
pronouncement is typical ivory tower nonsense. The state should
only allow colleges and universities to exist when they pay thier
freight, that is, when they prepare students for professions. 

Lets get something straight immediately. Education, for its own
sake, is the only education worth anything. What this writer is
talking about is “training” - a very different kettle of fish.

American universities are currently turning out poorly educated and
vastly unprepared students. I have constantly to deal with 21 year
olds who have a degree in Business Studies, can’t spell or write a
readable email or letter, have no experience of marketing but have
the beginnings of an education.

They don’t read books for pleasure, have never been to a theatre or
an museum, think the world was made 7000 years ago and find movies
with sub-titles difficult because it makes their lips tired.

It take about 2 years to bring them up to scratch and we generally
start them off in reception answering the phones.

Give me a student who has a degree in philosophy or history however
and they’ll be up and running in a few weeks!

What may are confusing here, is that the purpose of colleges and
universities is higher education, research, speculation, and
training students to think critically. The purpose of higher
education is not to train students to get a job. 

Yes, critical thinking is important. Agreed. But how does that
translate into permission to neglect training for a job? What kind of
critical thinking concludes that this is an either-or choice? I would
think a university should be able to do both. In some fields they do.

My own children have studied physics, engineering, English and
pharmacy. Can you guess which programs trained my children to be well
paid professionals? Would anyone in their right mind expect a program
in pharmacy or engineering to skip over the stuff you might really
need to know on the job?

Changing the subject just a little bit to the employer’s point of
view. I have found very talented and motivated employees who went to
art school and realized that they needed to complete their training
with an apprenticeship. This worked very well for me since they have
been willing to work for low wages in exchange for me teaching them
not only what they need to know for the job, but other skills as
well. I benefit from their labor and enthusiasm. They get to learn
stuff and get in lots of practice.

Our goal is that they should be able to run their own business after
3 or 4 years. Why summer co-ops and internships are not a regular
part of art school training is a total mystery to me. When my
daughter was in engineering school it was considered a huge failure
NOT to do something like that. When my other daughter was at college
for English, no such expectation was part of the program nor the
culture surrounding it. I think we need to work at adding cooperative
on-the-job traing to art school education for everyone’s benefit.

Stephen Walker

My words here have been taken literally, I was speaking of what
universities were established for historically. Without which there
would not be the forum for research. Much of the original goals of
higher education changed in the early 50’s.

Which is why community colleges especially have become so vital -
they do train students for the workforce.

I was not necessarily advocating for ivory tower ideals.

Too often students expect that a college education, will allow them
to be hired immediately because of the degree.

There needs to be a balance in all things, which is also why I
suggested that multiple forms of education are necessary. college,
trades, workshops, etc.

Camille

Yes critical thinking or methodology is very important to the way we
all learn. I agree that “real world” training/education is a must
when it comes to any jewelry art process.

An example of this would be teaching a software program in CAD, as
we do, and just going through the tools to show the students what to
do…BUT…you have to take it through methodology or thought process
working on real world application.

Otherwise, we have students that can find a tool but do nothing with
it. Show them project by project in a program like GIA’s CAD program
and at the end give them a ring to make in the CAD program they have
been using for 7 weeks. I did this once when I was the manager there
when the main instructor had to leave for instruction abroad. He
wanted me to give them “his” final for the class…set them up to
pass. Instead, I said, let’s see if they can do something other than
play and make artsy stuff that can’t be manufactured anyway…Out of
20 students, one was able to reproduce the ring in 6 hours! Only
one…so knowing the software tools is valuable, but what you can do
with them is what counts. You don’t get this by sitting in a class.
You have to experience it in the real world or be given projects
which are real world…

In my experience with instructing and dealing with clients doing the
CAD work borders on a couple of areas…create a 3D object from a 2D
picture or create a line of goods in CAD from an already existing
line. 80% of the time given to making CAD objects lies in this area.
So, when I teach, it is all about “thought strategy” and what the
real world is asking for.

Experience is invaluable on any level in jewelry design or jewelry
manufacturing…!!

Russ
The Jewelry CAD Institute
www.thejewelrycadinstitute.com

Lets get something straight immediately. Education, for its own
sake, is the only education worth anything. 

Could you explain this a bit more, I’m finding it difficult grasp
what you’re trying to say.

I consider education purpose driven, educating so that you’re
educated is pointless and a waste of time unless there’s a goal.

I know a lot of history majors that drive taxi’s.

Regards Charles A.

James’ comment that the “main focus of the colleges and universities
appears to be making/raising money to keep the faculty and
administration employed” vs Camille’s assertion “that the purpose of
colleges and universities is higher education, research, speculation,
and training students to think critically. The purpose of higher
education is not to train students to get a job.” just about sums up
the opposite poles of thought! No offence to either party - but both
are all too accurate.

Training students to THINK and do their own research is certainly a
viable very useful University function. Thinking CRITICALLY, on the
other hand, is not so useful, unless what Camille really means is the
ability to think analytically and constructively. Sadly, in Australia
too, James, Universities in particular seem to be losing sight of the
fact that most students undertake degrees in the hope that the degree
will help them get a good, well paid job in their chosen field.

I stick by my previous comment - that each individual needs to try
and decide for themselves what they actually wish to achieve. In the
final analysis, the ability to get a job depends more on a person’s
drive and determination to work in that field than on the level of
education (or even skill).

Thank you all so much for all the advice! Hearing what everyone’s
opinions are on this is really helping me a lot and making this
decision a whole lot less stressful, frustrating, and confusing.

Laura

Hi,

I think your view of Universities is a bit general, it’s like any
learning institution in that the subject determines the attitude and
expectation of the student.

I go to a technical design college, and this too has the same
problems.

We have two main jewellery streams 1) is Trade Jewellery
Manufacture, & the other is 2) Jewellery Design. The Trade Jewellery
is basically about manufacture, and design is secondary to practical
skills (btw had a very stressful calculations exam today, one of the
girls was on the verge of tears). The Jewellery Design course is
about creativity, with practical skills being a means to an end. I
have students now in my class that have completed Design, and decided
to do Trade to acquire practical skills.

I 100% agree that the individual is responsible for their own
education, by informed decision, and whatever means is economically
viable.

Regards Charles A.

Could you explain this a bit more, I'm finding it difficult grasp
what you're trying to say. 

Sure…

When you educate in order to make someone a “good worker” so that
they can be an “good accountant”, say, or a “good lawyer” then you
point and direct the student at a goal that you have already decided
is critical to achieving the target.

What you end up with is an individual who thinks and acts in the way
you want and achieves your goals. This is what happens at the
McDonald’s University. You get employees who make great burgers but
who can’t cook a hot-dog. They’ve never even seen a hot-dog. Even if
you gave them a raw one they wouldn’t know what to do with it.

When you educate within a field, teaching principles and encouraging
critical thinking, wide reading, discussion, hypothesizing and
testing then you enable the student to explore the field that they
are interested in.

If this sounds airy-fairy think about the difference between a trade
school approach to jewelry. Here the skills of diamond mounting may
be taught so that the student can pierce out the settings for stones
to a standard acceptable for the trade. This will get them a job,
low paid and in a factory like setting. I took these courses at the
Sir John Cass College in London and they brought my skill levels up
to a very hight level. Most of my fellow students could produce
wonderful pieces to another’s design but had no idea about how to
make studio pieces from scratch.

A degree course, or further personal development, however allows
someone to explore the whole realm of the subject and produces those
extraordinary individuals that we recognize as artists.

I went to a community college, sort of between a trade school and a
university. The masters were out of a university environment. I did
very well and had too much fun. First day on a real job and I
realised I knew nothing before lunch. To learn bench skills a bench
is really handy, a lot of drone work part of the equation… I’ve
never been near a trade school, they might be a good starting point
but my opion is that moving your fingers even if drone work to a
clock, while unpleasant is a good way to learn quickly. You only have
to do it once, it will last a lifetime.

jeffD
Demand Designs
Analog/Digital Modelling & Goldsmithing
http://www.gmavt.net/~jdemand

Dear All,

Here is one more view for your consideration.

I started making jewelry in 1971, 40 years ago next year!

I attended the University of Minnesota back at that time when the
Professor had a Masters Degree in Art History and could not light a
torch. Everyone knew not to let him touch your piece because he
would ruin it. The lab was beautiful with vents at each work station
strong enough to suck the work out of your hands and out the window.
Great planning here, we couldn’t use them being afraid to loose our
pieces.

Moving on to the Minneapolis Technical Institute was the answer to
all my prayers. All we did all day long was to work on making and
repairing jewelry. These were jewelry store caliber projects. It may
sound funny, but I dreamt about how to make pieces of jewelry before
I sat down to make it. The instructor at that time was Ray Grobe
(still with us at 97). In his day he was one of the upper Midwest’s
premier Platinum Smiths and Special Order Jewelers. He worked in the
jewelry trade for over 30 years before being hired as the head
instructor at the Institute. Even today, when we have lunch I ask him
about being an apprentice back in the 30s. He continues to enlighten
me about how the jewelry industry evolved during that time. Quite a
bench history.

After an apprenticeship and self employment for several years the
instructor position was offered to me. My work experience as well as
items I made and presented to the committee got me the job. I have
had it now for 26 years. Truly the best job I’ve ever had. I also
maintain a small work shop of four including my latest apprentice, my
son. I have two web based businesses and do art shows whenever
possible. Along with some wholesale accounts I am as busy as I want
to be. To see what I do go to:

http://www.trthawkinson.com
http://www.trhltd.com

The program has had several name changes and is now a Technical
College within the Minnesota Community & Technical College System -
MNSCU. A recent relocation from Minneapolis to Red Wing Minnesota has
been the best opportunity to further refine jewelry training within
an apprentice styled education. This College is still a learning
institute devoted to hand skills. The Guitar making program as well
as Violin making program are internationally know for excellence. Go
to see their site & video at:

http://www.southeastmn.edu/

The jewelry program has been restructured to run two semesters. One
semester for repair the other for manufacturing. The most
concentrated jewelry education available in the Upper Midwest. We
make and repair a lot of jewelry! Almost 95% of the grading is based
on projects made or repaired. Please visit us at:

http://tinyurl.com/342uylc

I would be happy to talk education with any potential student. You
would be my apprentice for your time there. Many of my students
already have upper level degrees and come to school to learn how to
make and repair jewelry. The program will have a You Tube presence
shortly with Bench Tube videos produced on a steady diet.

Red Wing Minnesota is a beautiful small town on the Mississippi
River. To see more about Red Wing go to:

http://tinyurl.com/39w6vf9

Sincerely,

Todd Hawkinson
Instructor
Southeast Technical College

Too often students expect that a college education, will allow
them to be hired immediately because of the degree. 

So do you tell them, or their parents, not to expect that?

I have now sent 4 of my kids to college, one twice, so we are
talking about 5 degrees. Some programs were big on bragging on how
many of their students get hired in their field and at what sort of
salary. This would be engineering and pharmacy. The English and
physics programs didn’t have much to say at the beginning about job
prospects. I don’t recall there being much said about my job
prospects when I was an art/metal student 30 years ago either.

But isn’t there an implied expectation if the subject is a
profession, like art, jewelry or metalsmithing, that a college
program is going to prepare you to have a career in that vocation?

Stephen Walker

A degree course, or further personal development, however allows
someone to explore the whole realm of the subject and produces
those extraordinary individuals that we recognize as artists. 

While I am in agreement with most of your posting about the
difference in types of education I must strongly disagree with the
idea that a degree has anything to do with producing an artist. In
fact I an inclined to believe that if one has a degree and manages to
actually become an artist it is in spite of having the degree not
because one has the degree :slight_smile:

James Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts

...if drone work to a clock, while unpleasant is a good way to
learn quickly. 

Or at the very least, see if you want to pursue the career.

In a previous career, I used to make artificial limbs, the boss was
a very difficult man to work with, but through that experience I
figured out that the occupation was not for me.

Regards Charles A.