4 ms·

Because I really don't care, because I just do it to get a job. And my grades are pretty much average in everything so shouldn't be worse off than the rest. I

• stouset 10y ago
  As an American, my perspective is that this right here is why bachelor's degrees are becoming worth less and less. By your own admission, you've learned little. You've put in just enough effort to pass your classes. You aren't seemingly interested in the field. And you're not motivated to learn more on your own in a field where knowledge is rapidly obsoleted. The credential of a university degree was previously a signal of having learned about a topic, having worked hard in doing so, having interest in the field, and (at least in this field) being interested and/or capable enough to continue learning as necessary. If it's no longer a strong indicator of these things, why should employers value it as highly? My own experience mirrors your admission here: fresh university grads frequently lack even the bare minimum ability that would be expected to be productive. Many don't follow this pattern, but they're the exception rather than the rule. And they get hired while the others don't. It's not the degree that gets you the job, it's the ability. And if you have a degree but little ability, you're not getting the job. The focus on going to university should be about getting the ability, but it's become about getting the credential, even though the credential was never really the valuable part to begin with. I want to be clear here that there's no judgment on my part of you or your character. You're doing what you think is best and/or necessary in your life and it's not my place to try and find fault with that. I'm only trying to point out that your approach seems symptomatic of a larger problem — and one that I don't have meaningful solutions for. I do worry though that just getting the credential won't be enough to give you the chance of success you're hoping it will, but I wish you luck regardless.
  • kajj 10y ago
    I actually agree with just about everything you say, I see the problem with it as well. But since I don't see any other solution and lack the ability to change society on the fundamental level needed to solve this problem, then I feel like I "Have to play the game". Yes we don't know at all how it will turn out, but I at least think that I can't be worse of than if I hadn't gone to university.
  • TheAdamAndChe 10y ago
    People feel like they need to get a degree nowadays because it's seen as the only path available to get a good, stable career. We've shifted to a "service economy," which is just a fancy way of saying all of the jobs where people had leverage and unions were shipped overseas in order to benefit the capital owners. Intense specialization is now required to help those people and companies who won the globalization game to get richer. Those who are unable to specialize will continue to face a shrinking quality of life. I see two options available to us: Either we restrict globalization to increase demand for lower-class labor(which would then create Unions, increase consumer spending, lower inequality) or we can introduce universal basic income(which would at least let the lower class survive while their jobs continue to be outsourced). Either way, there will be stiff opposition from the major corporations, and thus the politicians will fight against it.