Will you find a job after you graduate? Of course you will, but it might not be where you are thinking. I am glad you are still here. The title was good bait to get you reading, but in case you must go, here is the TLDR: your degree might be outdated before you graduate, capitalism is shaking things up, and the real benefit of your education is not the classes — it is the experiences and learning to navigate the unknowns of life.
I graduated from Mt. A a couple of years ago. I was a Black and an international student — not that it matters when you are paying two to five times more for a degree that … might not even get you a job. Oh, COVID! You really did us dirty.
I thought I would step into the job market and crush it. Turns out, I was the one getting crushed. Back then, it was easier — no mass layoffs, no artificial intelligence (AI) taking over, no pandemic reshaping the world. I loved my degree. Although I spent way too much time earning it. But over time, I have realized its value was not what I expected. It is not useless — just useful in ways I did not see coming.
Good old capitalism. If you love capitalism, say “aye!” The system was built to make more, spend less, maximize shareholder value, and deliver gains. While investors cry tears of joy; I cry tears of … well, let’s just say they’re not the same. Now, with the rise of AI, nothing feels as certain as it once did. Investors are pouring billions into AI startups because that is where the money’s at. What is AI doing anyways? Reducing repetitive, soul-sucking tasks. Yay! Except now, it is doing way more than anyone expected. It is taking away most entry-level jobs.
So, here you are, living in Sackville but not under a rock. In two months, or in a year or two you will be finished getting your degree. Mt. A will win its ‘#1 Most Something Award’ again, and you will be out in the world. But let me tell you: the biggest takeaway from your education will not be that Latin filled paper. It will be the life lessons — the moments that teach you how to manage stress, juggle two jobs, and still show up to class. It is those experiences that will matter most.
But how do you navigate this uncertain future? Honestly? I do not know. The best advice I can give is this: when the roads get icy and your car starts to drift, you do not jump out. You hang on to the steering wheel and do your best to regain control. Not a perfect metaphor? Well, what did you expect from an opinion piece?
