Indeed, the question really boils down to what the signal symbolizes. I think the implication at the time was that it was an "empty" signal, in that the last se

Indeed, the question really boils down to what the signal symbolizes. I think the implication at the time was that it was an "empty" signal, in that the last semester of your education can't be the source for 100% of its value. Professional football and basketball teams are happy to hire you before you finish your degree, if you're any good. ;-) Also, I don't know the extent to which this is an issue, but the US has a distinction between workers who have to be paid an hourly wage, and those who are "exempt," and one of the allowable criteria is whether the job requires a college degree. Comparing the value of hourly and salaried employees requires knowing how much they actually earn.