Critical Annotation, Article Critique Example

The article is clearly written by Glenn Gould of the Funeral Services Foundation and the subject centres upon the funeral service and the difficulties in recruiting good candidates for employment opportunities. This study quantitatively analyses college students within the age range 18-28; asking them a variety of questions ranging from their personal interests to their knowledge of the funeral services. Gould wishes to progress recruiting strategies for the industry because only 14% of college graduates would ever consider going into the business. Gould considers both the negative and positive connotations of working within the service; on one hand these include a professional well-paid career and on the other the service is viewed as morbid and technically archaic. Many would agree with his assumptions that young people do not see the funeral service as a glamorous and attractive job opportunity. They prefer working with people in a more positive environment. Gould’s quantitative study elucidates and re-enforces the pre-conception that males of the older age category view funeral service employment in a more positive light; 20% of people aged between 23-29 would consider the career 40% more of these were males. The author goes on to discuss the rising enrolment to the community college system which is due to the economy recession placing emphasis upon gaining greater qualifications. I agree with this statement; many more people are now going to community college or university than ever before. People know that a high school diploma will not provide the liberal arts education which vital to kindle good communicative and interpersonal skills that are of cardinal importance within the current job market. The article further expounds the widely held belief that the funeral service is a family affair- he is correct in that assumption. Father like son- people learn best when within that environment for long periods of time. Nevertheless he advocates that well-educated people need to view the funeral services as a career option, not as a mere backup for a failed nurse or care worker. I agree on the whole with Gould’s methods and argument- most people do not activity seek a career in funeral directing, but through increased education individuals may change perceptions within the educated community.