“Your Degree is Absolutely Worthless”
Young Americans for Liberty Executive Director, Jeff Frazee uttered those words at the International Students for Liberty Conference session, “How to Get a Job”. The room was packed with bright-eyed libertarian students, eager to get ahead in the job market. A worthless degree is exactly what my generation wants to hear…right?
I dutifully listened to the disappointing statement that the piece of paper costing more than six figures I spent four years obtaining is entirely without merit. Following the “absolutely worthless” remark, Frazee said taking an internship after graduation is essential.
As he continued to speak, letting the group of students know they wouldn’t be getting rich anytime soon, I began to connect the dots: “GPA doesn’t matter; it’s who you know, not what you know; take an unpaid internship; your degree is worthless; pay to join our membership program to give you the inside scoops on jobs.”
Even though the comments were harsh, I let them sink into my memory. Frazee is absolutely right. Regardless of political identity, recent graduates all have something in common: we need to find a job.
Young Americans for Liberty, who sponsored the session, understands this is the major concern for college students and recent graduates. They wanted to give attendees the best tools for effectively landing a job. These pragmatic libertarians honestly addressed the subject without any fluff . They set forth the most practical methods for puting yourself in prime position for employment. Our degrees are useless pieces of paper in present times, so it is important to use every tool and connection you have.
It would be nice if educators gave us the facts before we invested in pricy college degrees. The unsettling reality is that our nation is facing a mortgage crisis, a student loan crisis, and a completely destabilized economy. Maybe it is time our generation reevaluates the “college experience”. Perhaps it would be wise to look at different options such as: trade school, living at home vs. living in a dorm, an associates degree, certifications, community college, entrepreneurship, volunteer, and/or work experience.
Networking is the most vital tool to landing your first gig. The old cliché “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” may cause eye rolling, but it’s true. Networking is key. Rather than spending hours with your nose in a book, toiling for a 4.0, spend some time in the real world. Volunteer for a campaign, join a club, apply for an internship in a field that interests you. Most employers don’t ask for a GPA, they look for experience.
Who thought hitting up your local happy hour and schmoozing would be more valued skills than knowing the intricacies of Plato’s Republic or knowing what a derivative is. With that being said get out there and mingle! Who knows what opportunity is just waiting for you at the local watering hole.
