Safe Haven

The findings of this research are not surprising and reflect growing skepticism among younger generations about the necessity and value of traditional college education, especially as AI reshapes job requirements and career paths. When leaders twenty or more years into their careers are asked by Gen Z about future-proofing their careers, it is common to hear the lame response "learn a trade".

If the person asking the question has spent their time and money getting a college education and now joined the workforce, that answer tells them that they are screwed and they have been foolish to have bothered with college. They would have been smarter to learn plumbing. Its easy for someone how had has a good run, made some money to be flippant about learning a trade to jump into once they are laid off but this is catastrophic for a young person on their first job out of college. 

Most Gen Z respondents feel they could do their jobs without a degree, a sentiment much stronger than in older generations. This skepticism is fueled by rapidly rising tuition costs and the perception that AI and evolving job requirements have diminished the traditional value of higher education, signaling a major generational shift in attitudes toward college. This perception is only solidified when they hear their best bet is to learn a trade. If a large-scale migration is indeed fueled towards trade-schools then those occupations can only experience a race to the bottom and not remain a safe haven option.