Tutorial
Is it still worth going to university?
- Young graduate unemployment in the West and America is projected to rise toward the overall age-group rate, while the number of graduate-friendly jobs in the EU is expected to decline due to sectors struggling since the 2007–2009 financial crisis rather than AI.
- Job markets may see a convergence in perceived value between graduates and non-graduates if universities admit less talented candidates, potentially forcing more roles to require graduate-level qualifications while many future jobs currently do not exist.
- Technical anxieties are rising, with the percentage of US and UK IT professionals fearing AI will make skills obsolete jumping from 74% to 91% within a year, though coding may become obsolete in only a few years while robotics and practical trades like plumbing and carpentry remain valued.
- Future competitiveness will rely on unique human capabilities, specifically complex social interactions, care, negotiation, and persuasion, alongside the critical ability to learn continuously and transition into emerging industries.
- Academic discipline choice is deemed less significant than the acquisition of transferable soft skills through group projects, presentations, and extracurricular activities, with internships increasing the probability of securing full-time employment within six months of graduation by 23%, rising to 65% in oil, gas, and mining fields.
- Long-term success over the coming decades is predicted for individuals possessing a variety of skills, a lifelong desire to learn, and a positive attitude to navigate technological uncertainty.