My oldest daughter (19) took some time after high school to figure out what wouldn't work for her. She learned that she needs something hands on and also in a field she loves...all while not ending up with student loan debt like her dad and me (still paying). She starts an aviation technology maintenance program in August and is finally excited about her classes and the future (and planes!!!). She did loads of research and is making it happen with no debt. A number of my friends are torn on the trades versus the traditional college route, but I'm approaching this as living in a world where it's a totally different college experience than I had in the 90s and 00s. It's exciting to see the creativity of these kids!
" Even Google and IBM—the companies that helped create our credential obsession—are dropping degree requirements. Not because they got generous, but because they realized something important: the diploma doesn't predict who can do the work. It predicts who could survive four years of academic bureaucracy."
This is spot on. The business model of most universities is screwed. What is going to happen to all that real estate, all those academics and all those support staff? A tertiary education armageddon is approaching.
This makes so much sense from an education standpoint, yes. I also have a daughter in high school and these are the conversations we're having - sort of, but not with this level of detail because the landscape is changing so fast and I don't 100% have the recommendation of college or not. You're right, the degree matters. I am torn between college as necessary (not really) or that's its purpose is something else - a useful holding tank so to speak where they can continue to figure out who they are, a place for them to continue to mature and grow and get exposure to new ideas and professors who inspire them. Keeping costs down for this of discovery makes sense vs the $150k+ spend that most families will endure sending their kid off to an out of state public university or much more $$ going private.
I'd like to see an option where they get to leave the nest and experience life outside the four walls of our home but not be thrown into real world making rent and showing up for a job that isn't as exciting or well paying and the overall high stresses so many of us (especially GEN X'ers) had to endure going into the wild much earlier than necessary.
Thx for your analysis. Keep talking about this Carmen. It's important. And the answer isn't crystal clear yet to many of us parents because every kid is different in what they need.
College was a good experience; I was able to learn theory safely and met some interesting people. But depending on the degree, it really curtails what you actually do learn.
I have a BS in psychology. Our curriculum was mostly theory over practical education. Practical came during the master's course (understandably). However, everything I read before starting that degree said I should be able to easily get a job in a variety of fields with just the bachelor's. By the time I graduated everyone wanted a master's or higher. Just like you said about being 4 years behind in job knowledge, going for the degree can put you behind just based on criteria employers want to see.
Oof. This was good. And this resonated with me especially: “I got ahead because of what I built afterward, often in spite of what I'd been taught to value.”
I think we have to be careful that this is not an all and always proposition. (Also note that I am in the business of creating education environments that are relevant and useful for young people. so I’m working through this very idea as we speak. These are just some thoughts on my evening run :)
I agree that the traditional education system is not keeping up with the demands out of the workforce. However, there are some institutions of higher learning that are mixing both the necessary durable skills that we recognize our essential parts of human interaction and value in the world of work and community- collaboration, creativity, being well read, time management - with actual work experience where they can directly apply these durable skills, as well as the knowledge that they have gained in coursework. Schools like RIT, ASU and Northeastern have baked in Industry practices and the co-op experience/requirement so that students have a seamless opportunity to learn and apply.
It’s unfortunate, but I do believe that if a person in high school now does not go to college it could be used against them in future work to measure their readiness for a promotion or funding opportunity. Their bosses will likely all be college graduates and while the skills might be there for the young person applying or seeking advancement, I do believe there will be a bias for college education at least for the next 10 or 15 years. I think if we discount its value right off the bat, we potentially set students up for failure in the long run. At least for now.
I wish I read this sooner. It's like I've woken up in my late 20s and realised that I should have been further along. The uni fees, the mortgage, it all feels like I've been pushed into middle class broke-ness sometimes. Equally, I feel grateful that I had a chance at education and am grateful for the opportunities it brought me.
Well, without a university degree, it is often difficult to get a work visa in other countries. An education still matters and it is most easily acquired in a place where students can focus and be guided in real time. You can learn from YouTube or MOOC or whatever other medium, sure, but ChatGPT can’t give you feedback like someone who has a PhD and has been marking up essays for 20 years can. Much of the learning in university comes from the process itself.
I would argue that in this age, a good university education is worth more than ever (although I do not accept the price that American universities attach to it). Of course, I’m speaking with the perspective of someone who has interacted a lot with international education and seen the issues with not-so-great education and overly specialized education (a hazard of self-led) up close. Just a cautionary note.
I think you need to be more specific rather than state ‘a good university degree’ because it’s meaningless with some kind of context. Good as in Yale, Sarah Lawrence or Oxford is different to law school at the University of American Samoa.
I would argue that even if you attended university the value is in the strength of its recruitment rather than the academics. Students are better off using their time to focus on how to actually build a business online and capture and monetise audience rather than write an essay. It’s now turning into an economy where output is valued over anything else so being an actual practitioner with infinitely more valuable.
I think the academics matter much, but in often intangible ways that people probably won’t even notice if life doesn’t require them to reflect on it. But setting that aside, a key value that education at a top university offers lies in networking. Who you go to school with can absolutely be transformational.
Agree, that’s why it’s better to go to a brand name school with strong recruitment. Academics don’t matter so much there because of the mere fact you were admitted acts as a filter in itself. Just take the easiest classes to maintain the GPA. And work on your extracurriculars. University isn’t the place for any kind of reflection. It’s just a business masquerading as a scholarly institute.
My oldest daughter (19) took some time after high school to figure out what wouldn't work for her. She learned that she needs something hands on and also in a field she loves...all while not ending up with student loan debt like her dad and me (still paying). She starts an aviation technology maintenance program in August and is finally excited about her classes and the future (and planes!!!). She did loads of research and is making it happen with no debt. A number of my friends are torn on the trades versus the traditional college route, but I'm approaching this as living in a world where it's a totally different college experience than I had in the 90s and 00s. It's exciting to see the creativity of these kids!
" Even Google and IBM—the companies that helped create our credential obsession—are dropping degree requirements. Not because they got generous, but because they realized something important: the diploma doesn't predict who can do the work. It predicts who could survive four years of academic bureaucracy."
This is spot on. The business model of most universities is screwed. What is going to happen to all that real estate, all those academics and all those support staff? A tertiary education armageddon is approaching.
This is 100% true. Our educational system has not kept pace with the jobs out there (or lack thereof)
This makes so much sense from an education standpoint, yes. I also have a daughter in high school and these are the conversations we're having - sort of, but not with this level of detail because the landscape is changing so fast and I don't 100% have the recommendation of college or not. You're right, the degree matters. I am torn between college as necessary (not really) or that's its purpose is something else - a useful holding tank so to speak where they can continue to figure out who they are, a place for them to continue to mature and grow and get exposure to new ideas and professors who inspire them. Keeping costs down for this of discovery makes sense vs the $150k+ spend that most families will endure sending their kid off to an out of state public university or much more $$ going private.
I'd like to see an option where they get to leave the nest and experience life outside the four walls of our home but not be thrown into real world making rent and showing up for a job that isn't as exciting or well paying and the overall high stresses so many of us (especially GEN X'ers) had to endure going into the wild much earlier than necessary.
Thx for your analysis. Keep talking about this Carmen. It's important. And the answer isn't crystal clear yet to many of us parents because every kid is different in what they need.
College was a good experience; I was able to learn theory safely and met some interesting people. But depending on the degree, it really curtails what you actually do learn.
I have a BS in psychology. Our curriculum was mostly theory over practical education. Practical came during the master's course (understandably). However, everything I read before starting that degree said I should be able to easily get a job in a variety of fields with just the bachelor's. By the time I graduated everyone wanted a master's or higher. Just like you said about being 4 years behind in job knowledge, going for the degree can put you behind just based on criteria employers want to see.
100%. From one overeducated professional to another
If anyone knows how I can get ChatGPT to churn out my strategy decks, let me know. 😂
In all seriousness, the message here is good. The busy work of entry level employees definitely can and has started to be eaten by AI.
Oof. This was good. And this resonated with me especially: “I got ahead because of what I built afterward, often in spite of what I'd been taught to value.”
I think we have to be careful that this is not an all and always proposition. (Also note that I am in the business of creating education environments that are relevant and useful for young people. so I’m working through this very idea as we speak. These are just some thoughts on my evening run :)
I agree that the traditional education system is not keeping up with the demands out of the workforce. However, there are some institutions of higher learning that are mixing both the necessary durable skills that we recognize our essential parts of human interaction and value in the world of work and community- collaboration, creativity, being well read, time management - with actual work experience where they can directly apply these durable skills, as well as the knowledge that they have gained in coursework. Schools like RIT, ASU and Northeastern have baked in Industry practices and the co-op experience/requirement so that students have a seamless opportunity to learn and apply.
It’s unfortunate, but I do believe that if a person in high school now does not go to college it could be used against them in future work to measure their readiness for a promotion or funding opportunity. Their bosses will likely all be college graduates and while the skills might be there for the young person applying or seeking advancement, I do believe there will be a bias for college education at least for the next 10 or 15 years. I think if we discount its value right off the bat, we potentially set students up for failure in the long run. At least for now.
I wish I read this sooner. It's like I've woken up in my late 20s and realised that I should have been further along. The uni fees, the mortgage, it all feels like I've been pushed into middle class broke-ness sometimes. Equally, I feel grateful that I had a chance at education and am grateful for the opportunities it brought me.
Well, without a university degree, it is often difficult to get a work visa in other countries. An education still matters and it is most easily acquired in a place where students can focus and be guided in real time. You can learn from YouTube or MOOC or whatever other medium, sure, but ChatGPT can’t give you feedback like someone who has a PhD and has been marking up essays for 20 years can. Much of the learning in university comes from the process itself.
I would argue that in this age, a good university education is worth more than ever (although I do not accept the price that American universities attach to it). Of course, I’m speaking with the perspective of someone who has interacted a lot with international education and seen the issues with not-so-great education and overly specialized education (a hazard of self-led) up close. Just a cautionary note.
I think you need to be more specific rather than state ‘a good university degree’ because it’s meaningless with some kind of context. Good as in Yale, Sarah Lawrence or Oxford is different to law school at the University of American Samoa.
I would argue that even if you attended university the value is in the strength of its recruitment rather than the academics. Students are better off using their time to focus on how to actually build a business online and capture and monetise audience rather than write an essay. It’s now turning into an economy where output is valued over anything else so being an actual practitioner with infinitely more valuable.
I think the academics matter much, but in often intangible ways that people probably won’t even notice if life doesn’t require them to reflect on it. But setting that aside, a key value that education at a top university offers lies in networking. Who you go to school with can absolutely be transformational.
Agree, that’s why it’s better to go to a brand name school with strong recruitment. Academics don’t matter so much there because of the mere fact you were admitted acts as a filter in itself. Just take the easiest classes to maintain the GPA. And work on your extracurriculars. University isn’t the place for any kind of reflection. It’s just a business masquerading as a scholarly institute.