Why a University Degree Isn't Always Worth It

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1. 01Why a University Degree Isn't Always Worth It

   Good morning, everyone. For many years, going to university has been the default path after high school. Today, I'll argue that a degree is not always worth it, and that we should think more carefully before we choose it.

   大家早上好。多年来，上大学一直是高中毕业后的默认选择。今天，我要提出的观点是：大学学位并不总是值得的，我们在做选择之前应该更仔细地考虑。

2. 02The Rising Cost

   First, the cost has become very high in many countries. Some students graduate with large debts that take decades to pay back. That's a heavy burden at the start of your career.

   第一，在很多国家，上大学的费用已经变得非常高。有些学生毕业时背着巨额债务，要花几十年才能还清。在职业生涯刚开始的时候，这是一个很沉重的负担。

3. 03Not Every Degree Pays Off

   Second, not every degree pays off. Earnings depend a lot on the field of study, and many graduates end up in jobs that don't require a degree at all.

   第二，并不是每个学位都能带来回报。收入很大程度上取决于所学的专业，而且很多毕业生最后从事的工作根本不需要学位。

   Source: Burning Glass Institute & Strada Education Foundation, "Talent Disrupted" (2024)

4. 04Skills Over Diplomas

   Third, the job market is changing. Some large companies have removed degree requirements for many roles and now focus on skills. A 2024 Harvard study found that real hiring has changed slowly so far, but the direction is clear. Today, people can learn many of those skills through online courses and certificates.

   第三，就业市场正在变化。一些大公司已经取消了很多岗位的学历要求，现在更看重技能。2024年哈佛大学的一项研究发现，到目前为止，实际招聘的变化还比较慢，但方向是很明确的。如今，人们可以通过网课和证书学到很多这样的技能。

   Source: Harvard Business School & Burning Glass Institute, "Skills-Based Hiring: The Long Road from Pronouncements to Practice" (2024)

5. 05Other Paths

   There are also other paths. Vocational schools, apprenticeships, and online learning can lead to good jobs, often with less time and less debt.

   此外，还有其他的道路。职业学校、学徒制和在线学习都可以通向好工作，而且往往花的时间更少，背的债务也更少。

6. 06To Be Fair

   To be fair, degrees still matter for some careers, like medicine or law. But that doesn't mean university is the right choice for everyone.

   公平地说，对某些职业来说，比如医生或律师，学位仍然很重要。但这并不意味着上大学对每个人都是正确的选择。

7. 07My Position

   My position is this: university should be a choice, not a default. Students should compare the costs, the benefits, and the other paths before they decide.

   我的观点是：上大学应该是一种选择，而不是默认的道路。学生在做决定之前，应该比较一下成本、好处和其他的道路。

8. 08Conclusion

   In the end, there is more than one road to success. The best path is the one that fits your goals, not the one everyone else takes. Thank you.

   总之，通往成功的道路不止一条。最好的道路，是适合你自己目标的那一条，而不是别人都在走的那一条。谢谢大家。