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How to Find Wealth and Success by Developing the Skills Companies Actually Need

College is the ticket to employment, right?

Wrong!

Read our summary of “Job U” and learn why the notion that college is for everyone works against students, as well as society. Moreover, hear out the alternative ideas of author Nicholas Wyman, that might be exactly what you need to land the job of your dreams.

Who Should Read “Job U”? and Why?

Times are changing.

Many employers no longer look at your degree. Instead, they see what you are capable of and assess your previous experience and skill set.

So, if you thought that you have to go to college to be successful, think again.

We recommend “Job U” to all high school dropouts, parents concerned about the future of their children, and readers unsure what their next move will be.

College is not for everyone. Read the book and explore your alternatives.

About Nicholas Wyman

Nicholas Wyman is an author, speaker, a workforce development expert, and CEO of the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation.

He holds a degree from Harvard Business School but discovered his real strong points during a kitchen service apprenticeship.

“Job U Summary”

When you were a kid, you already knew that you would go to college.

Your parents and your environment believed that that would increase your chances of landing a good job.

Most probably, you will make your kids go to college as well.

But should you?

We will tell you something else, that as a matter of fact might sound surprising: each day, all around the world, some jobs that do not require a college education are created.

We are not saying this without any proof. Studies show that in the following seven to ten years only 27 percent of the new jobs will require a college education.

What does this mean, for you, and more importantly for future generations?

If kids continue going to college, they might end up fighting for positions where their degree is irrelevant. The numbers show that unemployment among graduates has already begun!

So if a high education, which was known as the ticket to a secure job, can no longer secure your future career, what can?

We can pinpoint elements to finding a job in the modern marketplace: work experience and technical skills.

To be honest, college degrees give you neither.

Okay, college degrees may not be beneficial to individual students, but that is not all – they are bad for society as well!

How come?

Today’s society has made people think that everyone should and must go to college. As a result of promoting college above everything else, people who enroll in technical and vocational courses are less and less.

This is an immense problem, since, as we already mentioned, the number of jobs requiring technical skills is increasing. Such a trend will influence the society in a way that it will increase the number of unproductive workers, and create a deficit of workers with the needed know-how.

But, that is just the beginning.

The problem continues with the skyrocketing student debt. Most students attend college on loan, hoping they will be able to pay it back once they get a job.

However, as we already saw, these high paying jobs are not guaranteed. In fact, as times go by they become even unlikely, which means that many students will not be able to pay off their debts.

This will take a significant toll on the overall economy.

So, if college is not suitable for anyone – neither the society nor the individuals, what is the alternative?

Read our key lessons to find out the three alternative paths we picked out for you.

Key Lessons from “Job U”

1.      The Return of the Apprentice
2.      The Associate Degree
3.      Going Virtual: The MOOC

The Return of the Apprentice

Back in the days, young people had mentors to teach them the job, but as colleges took over, apprenticeships stayed in the back.

But that was a mistake.

Apprentices work with mentors, to whom they can always talk to when they are stuck. Hence, there are much fewer apprentices who quit; then there are college dropouts.

Needless to say, the benefits of taking such a route are numerous: from support to creating working habits! Maybe it is time to bring apprenticeships back on the scene.

The Associate Degree

Another way to go is opting for an associate degree. These degrees come after two years of courses that are a mix of specific professional skills and traditional academic learning.

So, they give you the same quality of teaching as colleges do, for only a fraction of the price.

You can immediately see their benefit: they are cost-effective. However, that is not the only positive aspect of these degrees. Having in mind that they are offered in various skill areas, they will give you better prospects of employment as well.

Going Virtual: The MOOC

If an associate degree is not an option, because of their requirement to be a full-time student, then maybe you should consider MOOCs.

What are MOOCs?

MOOCs are massive open online courses, which give you access to a wide range of courses, with excellent quality, taught at the comfort of your own home. Theory, technical skills, hands-on subjects… You pick!

Yes, you heard right. You can even teach hands-on subjects online. In fact, one of the most popular MOOCs is one regarding cooking.

The greatest advantage of MOOCs is that they are free, so your financial background does not stop you from getting the skills you need or want.

Like this summary? We’d Like to invite you to download our free 12 min app, for more amazing summaries and audiobooks.

“Job U” Quotes

Our Critical Review

“Job U” offers a fresh look at education, and gives timely advice on all the alternatives to college one could try out, which would ultimately result in landing a good, stable job.

Emir Zecovic

Emir is the Head of Marketing at 12min. In his spare time, he loves to meditate and play soccer.