“I should be out of the house by now” – 2020 college graduates

According to a survey in 2021, more than 40% of college graduates and do not use their degrees. They take on a $50,000 student loan for a degree that will not earn them back for the investment.

Source: https://infogram.com/uspr-degree-not-worth-it-men-v-women-1h7j4d98g5ex2nr

Because they don’t have goals after college.

Most high school students’ end goal is – getting into an Ivy League. That’s it.

Let me elaborate.

That means their goal is NOT becoming a NY Best Selling Author, A Machanic at Tesla, or A Software Engineer at Google, or whatever their potential career can be AFTER graduating from college.

Inevitably, they won’t do anything after graduation because graduating is all of it.


With the pride they have in them as “Ivy League Graduates” and unfortunately that’s all they have, they are lost and unable to move on. They are unable to break out the fear of people finding out they are a fraud because they only know how to “get into Ivy League” and nothing else beyond.

“So, what are you gonna do now?” is the scariest question to them.

To Fearful Ivy League Graduates:
You have to face your fear because when things are scary, it’s usually because it’s important. I understand it’s scary to learn about who you are, what do you stand for, and what is your value.
Don’t be.
Spend 1-2 years exploring and talking to people.
You will find what you want to do.

Not a single student is able to fully leverage the resources they have on any campus. So, if you have no clue what you are going to do and think that colleges will set a path for your career, you are going to be lost.

For students who don’t set goals beyond getting into college, they pick the major that get them into college but not the major that elevates their personal and career development.

Here 7 mistakes you want to avoid when picking a major:

1) Not considering your passions or interests: You should never pick a major because someone tells you it’s a lucrative field or because your parents want you to study something. You should pick a major based on what you’re passionate about and what you would love to do for the rest of your life.

2) Picking a major because it’s easy: Just because a major is easy doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you. You should challenge yourself and pick something that will make you work hard. It will be worth it in the long run.

3) Picking a major based on salary: Don’t be motivated by money and don’t pick a major just because you will be able to make a lot of it. It’s not the key to achieving success. Money may buy happiness but it won’t bring you satisfaction from what you do.

4) Trying to find the perfect major: There is no such thing as the perfect major. You will have to make compromises and find something that’s a good fit for you.

5) Picking a major because your friends are doing it: Just because your friends are picking a certain major doesn’t mean you should too. You should pick something that you’re interested in.

6) Not having a backup major: You don’t want to have the “what if I pick this major and it doesn’t work out?” feeling. But your plans might not go as expected so you should have something else in mind just in case.

7) Not thinking outside the box: You don’t have to pick a traditional major like business or engineering. There are many other options out there that you should explore.

So, if you want to avoid making any of these mistakes, start by talking to your guidance counselor and doing your own research on different majors. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

Websites for Career Research

Think about what you’re passionate about and what would bring you personal satisfaction. Lastly, you should always do something that will challenge and push your limits. Choose the major that will allow you to grow and learn more about yourself. Don’t make the mistake of choosing a major because it makes others happy or if it seems like a safe option.