Read "Shop Class as Soulcraft"

Last week, I took the time to read the original "Shop Class as Soulcraft" essay by Matthew Crawford from the Summer 2006 issue of The New Atlantis. He recently extended the argument for the importance of industrial arts in academics and society as a whole into a book receiving strong positive reviews. If you are still uncertain of your future, or uncertain how society should address problems related to employment, personal prosperity, and encouraging self worth, this is definitely a piece worth your time.

Do not take Crawford literally in a manner that would lead you believe that he wants to turn back the clock on progress. Instead, if we consider his case for the reemergence of "craftsmanship" as a positive professional characteristic, as opposed to the current state of a culture of generalist, this links directly to the focus on personal passion with respect to dominant skills sets and talents many are encouraging as guides for future individual success. Not all craftsman may be proficient with tools, but their success lies in a skilled, physical approach to their careers. Redirecting our enthusiasm to what we can create rather than what we can consume is essential in order to diversify our individual and societal economies.

I will buy the book soon and work on an extended review of its content and application to personal career development.