Don't Go Back to School

01College ain't what it used to be, mate!

In Kio Stark's view, the golden ticket that was once a college degree isn't as shiny as it used to be. This might be a tough pill to swallow, especially in a world where we're told that a degree is the key to a successful future. But let's take a closer look at Stark's argument. Back in the day, a college degree was like a magic key that opened doors to a secure and prosperous life. People were willing to take on a mountain of debt to get that degree, confident that it would lead to a well-paying job. This was especially true after World War II, when the GI Bill allowed many veterans to go to college for free, leading to a boom in the number of Americans with degrees. And let's not forget about women. They started going to college in droves, seeking to level the playing field in a job market that had been stacked against them. A degree was a powerful weapon in their arsenal. During this period, a college degree was a hot commodity. It meant higher pay, job security, and manageable student loan debt. But times have changed. Today, the job market is flooded with degree holders, all vying for the same jobs. Add to that the skyrocketing cost of education and stagnant wages, and you've got a recipe for a student loan crisis. Stark suggests that a degree isn't the be-all and end-all of education anymore. Other things, like recommendations and portfolios, are gaining importance. A well-put-together portfolio can be just as convincing to potential employers as a degree. And let's not forget about networking. Knowing the right people can often open doors, degree or no degree. Stark's message is clear: don't be afraid to explore other ways to learn and advance your career. Independent learning, networking, and grabbing opportunities as they come are just as important. This is great news for those who don't have a degree but are eager to learn and move up the career ladder. Here's a sobering fact to drive home Stark's point: a study by the Pew Research Center found that about 31% of recent college graduates were jobless in the second half of 2020. This just goes to show that a degree doesn't automatically mean a job or financial security.