We want YOU, or do we?4

It is obvious to see that our current educational system is not in the business of creating leaders, thinkers, artists, visionaries, innovators or revolutionaries. I’m a college student. And I go to class everyday and sit in rows with a bunch of assimilators, all fighting to fit in. Fighting to get all the answers right and afraid of taking risks. Fighting to wear the right clothes and own the right computer (ie. Apple). Fighting to join the right clubs and organizations. Fighting to be like everybody else. Fighting to score the job. The job that we have been guaranteed for a century if we follow the system. The job that has guaranteed us safety, security, benefits, insurance, and a retirement plan. The job that takes care of us if we are obedient and follow the rules. The job that promotes thoughtless employees; factory workers. People who are given the instructions and are told to execute accordingly. People who don’t have to bring anything unique to the table.

There are thousands of jobs like these all around us. Just look around. Fast Food Industry, Retail, Cashiers, Teachers, Doctors, etc. So many of us are striving to fit into these titles; these boxes. And once we’re in, we think we’re safe. But this last recession proved otherwise. Now there are TOO MANY Slim Shady’s. Too many clones. Too many people with the same degrees, credentials and accomplishments. Now you’re no longer as valuable. Why? Because there are 1,000 others who can do what you do, and can probably do it cheaper. Now you’re easily replaceable.

Ok, back to life as a college student in the matrix.

Think about it. Thousands of college students (like me) graduating every semester with a generic degree and a butt-load of debt right out the game. We’re clones looking for the degree to give us some sort of value. We act alike and think alike. Sitting in classrooms with nothing unique to say or offer. Programmed through years of standardized testing to shut up, sit down, and assimilate. So I’m sitting in class. And I look around. Most of us could care less about the class or the subject. We just want the grade. Why? Because the grade means we get the degree and the degree means we get the job. But something is happening.

The game is changing.

And it seems that having degrees is becoming less and less important. So now America is scared. Everybody’s looking for some solution. I actually heard one of my professors tell a student in class,

“Now is the best time to stay in school. Get your masters. Get your doctorate. Since the job market is rough, why not use this time to stack up on your degrees?”

I’m sure you would agree that this is sound advice, right? Well, after hearing that, I thought to myself, how STUPID is that! Sounds like yet another cop-out to me. In other words, rack up more student loan debt in HOPES that the job market will be favorable in the future. Bet your life on an assumption. You’re telling me that instead of using my BRAIN and thinking of ways to create my own career, it’s better to assimilate, and hope my degrees will buy my way in. But here’s the hard question… What if it doesn’t?

What I see is this…

Companies are downsizing. They know they can do things cheaper and faster without a lot of employee-overhead. They can outsource their needs to those willing to work for cheap. They can design machines to replace workers. They can hire niche agencies to handle their design and marketing and strategizing. There’s less of a need to lock in another clone employee for 5 years and promise them benefits, a 401(k), and an awesome salary.

So the graduating 22 year old who is in $40,000+ student loan debt with another $5,000+ in credit card debit has two options…

1. Take the first crappy job they can find.

2. Go back to school and rack up on more degrees.

But now there’s a THIRD option.

This option requires you to think. This option forces you to take the risk of being unique. This option won’t let you assimilate. This option challenges you to discover your strengths and talents. This option requires you to CRUSH IT. This option demands that you bring something remarkable to the table. This option asks you to be YOU.

Think I’m kidding. Here are two really great reads that I would recommend you check out…

CRUSH IT

Linchpin

…choose for yourself which option you’ll take.

Related posts:

1. 3 Reasons Why I’m Excited About 2010