What Trumps a College Degree?

My wife and I home schooled all three of our children. All three went and graduated from college. And, all three are currently employed in fields unrelated to their degrees. As I tried to advise them post-high school, I think I operated under a false understanding of today’s workplace – at least for two of the three.

When I graduated from college, the conventional thinking was that all four-year degrees were pretty much the same. Their usefulness was primarily to “open doors” leading to well-paying jobs. Therefore, study what you like, maybe even what you’re passionate about. I don’t think that’s true anymore. What changed and continues to change is the increase of automation and connectivity in the work place leading to elimination of entry-level jobs. This is happening so quickly that nobody is really sure where this is taking us as an economy.

I was an English major at local university when I met Jenny, the girl who would eventually be my wife. I was barely moving, toying with school, having already spent eight years toward completing my four-year degree. And then, what was I going to do with a degree in English? I didn’t know except I chose this major because I liked to read. But, reading and school took a back seat to my recreational and travel activities.

Jenny asked me what I was going to do for a career. I turned the question back to her before answering. She told me “teaching.” I responded that I was interested in teaching too. Actually, up until that point I had no idea what I wanted to do. My interest in this profession was spontaneous, based only on what she just revealed to me. I had some awareness, like the Napoleon Dynamite character in the movie of the same name, that “skills” would be required of me to move forward in this relationship. If I wanted it to progress, I’d better get moving. I’d better get serious.
So, what does your high school student need to focus on? Skills and not simply a degree. A degree is no longer enough. Maybe a degree is not necessary at all. If your student cultivates skills that are useful and valuable, skills that people are willing to pay for, the market place will open up to him or her.

The false understanding I was operating under, at least to a point, was really widespread in the 1970’s. It’s what Cal Newport in his book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, calls the “passion movement.” It’s the Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow idea of twenty years ago and still popular today. While it can happen that following a passion will blossom into an expertise, I’m more convinced it really works the other way around. Obtaining, honing, and perfecting skills leads to passion.

Get really good at something – something that people find useful, valuable, and are willing to pay for – and the money will follow. That’s the tip of the week!

Curt Bumcrot, MRE

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