Is College Still Relevant? (Part Two)

Spoiler alert: It’s complicated—but thankfully not in a vague Facebook-relationship-status kind of way.

In Part One, we explored how companies like Amazon didn’t just disrupt industries—they full-on ninja-kicked traditional business models out the window and rewrote the rulebook. Remember the gig economy? That brilliant innovation handed people the keys to their own income and schedules (Uber at 3 AM, anyone?). We traced those steps to today's revolution: artificial intelligence. AI is shaking things up week by week in business, education, finance—and even redefining what it means to be human (cue existential dread soundtrack).

So…. this evidently brings us back to our burning question: Is college still relevant?

Well, grab a coffee, because the answer is still "it depends." Let’s unpack some key factors:

📍 Geography & Tradition: A Tale of Two (or Twenty) Education System

🇺🇸 United States: The Land of Liberal Arts and Frat Parties 

Let’s be very honest: U.S. college costs are starting to feel like the final boss in a video game—daunting, expensive, and possibly unbeatable without some cheat codes. Students and parents are rightfully skeptical. State schools, community colleges, and online programs are gaining popularity, offering a decent education without the lifelong debt spiral.

And while people still value the “college experience” (friends, networking, ramen-fueled study nights), it’s no longer the only path to success. There are so many new emerging paths to consider depending on the profile of your kid’s, personal passions and the resources available. Some students are coming up with creative adventures that allow “ a gap” or work and learn models before committing to long, committed studies that place them in paths of no return (due to the debt or financial commitments parents and beloved grandparents have committed to support.

🇪🇺 Europe: Choose Your Adventure (But Hurry Up!) 

Cross the pond, and decisions get serious—fast. European students are often picking their futures at 17. Across the pond, things get serious—fast. Most European countries expect students to pick a path by the time they’re, like, 17. Many middle/high school systems craft pathways that require students to choose an area of discipline. Whether it’s general, tech, or vocational, that choice sticks. For example, in France after the third year in high school, students have to choose between three specific routes to continue their studies: the general route, the technological route or the vocational route. The three types of baccalaureate in France are all diplomas with the same level of qualification (level 4 corresponding to the baccalaureate). Each baccalaureate diploma leads towards a specific path.France, for example, forces students into choosing specialized tracks—general, technological, or vocational—that shape their entire career. The upside? Degrees are shorter, typically cheaper (especially at public universities), and intensely focused. The downside? Changing your mind halfway through could feel as stressful as missing your train in a foreign city (been there, done that).

💰 The Financial Equation: Is It Worth It?

🌍 Africa: Value Meets Vision (and Wi-Fi, Hopefully) 

Higher education in Africa varies a lot, depending on the country. In many places, resources are limited, classrooms are crowded, and professors are stretched thin. So people are asking the big questions: Is this degree worth it? Increasingly, the answer might be “meh,” especially as micro-credentials, online skills, and entrepreneurial ventures become more viable with just a laptop and a decent internet connection. However we will come back to this later on.

🇺🇸 United States (Again): College or Crushing Debt? Let's get brutally honest: American college costs feel more like financial Russian roulette than a safe bet. Community colleges, online learning, and "gap year" experiences are increasingly appealing, offering education without the lifelong debt spiral. Sure, we all still romanticize the classic "college experience"—ramen-fueled study groups and lifelong friendships—but it’s no longer the only game in town. There are creative detours worth exploring before locking into a degree that might trap you financially (and emotionally).

📈 Careers Are Changing—So Is Education

The job market  will continue to redefine itself as technologies impact industries and the way we define society and purpose. The future of work is changing and will continue to change. Coaching your kid to be agile along the journey in school will be essential. What is certain, employers care less about where you went to school and more about what you can actually do. If your kid has skills, experience or a portfolio that demonstrates your value, and a decent Wi-Fi connection, the kiddo is in the game. 

Schools and the expectations in the world are starting to shift to the global changes that are redefining education. From elementary to college, everyone is rethinking what is important to know and what is important to teach. As you look around the choices and pathways are multiplying while the world is in the beginning of a reset in every industry. Many schools are often offering micro-credentials and nano-degrees as opportunities to discover a potential career before taking the plunge in the deep. This help kids with the revolving doors of dropping or switching majors and sometimes even schools. This is super expensive when a kid discovered they are not interested in technology - they have always wanted to be an artist.

While some schools have made these nano-degrees or microcredentials a way of doing deeper or getting exposed to a career, there has been a rise of Platforms like Coursera, Skillshare, and LinkedIn Learning are becoming the Netflix of Education. Many of these—quick, bingeable, and way cheaper microcredentials  and bootcamps have garnered visibility and respectability as industry giants even begin to create their own. The traditional degree is no longer the only way. What’s the secret —many programs offer students the opportunities to create portfolios that demonstrate their skills and talents and often internships that make them robust candidates for highly remunerated roles in less the time.

Big names like Google, Microsoft, and Ernst and Young are increasingly hiring people based on what they know, not where they learned it. This is a game changer that cannot be ignored. As we move forward, you will find that killer digital portfolio and well-crafted LinkedIn profile might just be your new diploma.

🎓 So… Is College Still Worth It?

College can be incredibly relevant—but it’s no longer a one-size-fits-all ticket to success. Where you live, your dreams, passions, and how debt-tolerant you (or your parents, or grandparents) are, all shape this decision. Thankfully, education today is evolving, customizable, and more flexible than ever.

Think of your kid’s educational journey like a Spotify playlist—mix and match degrees, internships, online courses, and real-world experience. Whether a kid chooses an Ivy League or DIY your way through life with YouTube tutorials and AI-powered tools, remember: continuous learning is your real ticket to thriving in this ever-changing world.

Because let's face it, staying curious might just be the most valuable degree of all.

✅ Personalise the Path to Exploration

• Help your kids identify their interests, passions, and strengths. Encourage visual boards on the fridge on the back of the bedroom door. Celebrate strengths by taking advantage of the teachable moment to share possible activities to explore connected to the strength.

• Support informed experimentation with different careers before significant financial commitments.

• Teach your kids decision-making skills that align with their personal goals and family realities

✅ Foster Adaptability - Watch your words…Be intentional

• Instill the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.

• Use the analogy of a "Spotify playlist" to illustrate personalized and evolving educational journeys.

• Encourage curiosity and exploration of industries being reshaped by technology and AI.

✅ Understand the New Educational Landscape

• Discuss with your kids that college is just one of many paths to success.

• Explore alternative education models together (micro-credentials, bootcamps, online programs, internships). Do this early when the stakes are not high. Waiting to junior year of high school is a later start.

It is not simple yet it will be your greatest ROI. Equip your kids to be agile, financially savvy, skill-oriented, and perpetually curious. This holistic approach will prepare them for thriving in a rapidly changing global landscape.