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September 28, 2025
From Golden Ticket to Question Mark
Gallup’s September 2025 survey revealed a historic low: just 35% call college “very important.”
This isn’t a temporary dip — it’s a generational shift.
Why? Because the cost is too high, the debt lasts too long, and the return is too uncertain.
The Skills Gap: What Employers Actually Want
Employers don’t hire “majors.” They hire skills.
- Old thinking: “Economics major → banking career.”
- New reality: “Show me your data analysis, UX design, or cloud management experience.”
The disconnect between classroom theory and workplace needs has never been greater.
From Majors to Modules
Majors are evolving from career tickets to frameworks for exploration.
What really proves your worth today are certifications, portfolios, and hands-on experience.
- Old model: “I’m a psychology major.”
- New model: “I hold certifications in psychology-based data research and user behavior analysis.”
👉 In short: Your major is your brand. Your certifications and experience are your proof.
The New Checklist for Relevance
1. Brand
Treat your major as a brand, but back it up with demonstrable skills.
2. Certification
Earn at least one practical, industry-recognized credential.
3. Portfolio
Build tangible projects that speak louder than grades.
4. Experience
Apply your learning in internships, projects, or fieldwork.
5. Network
Connections open more doors than cold applications.
What’s Next
This checklist is just the beginning.
In the upcoming series, we’ll break down each of these five essentials
— Brand, Certification, Portfolio, Experience, and Network
— and explore practical strategies to develop them step by step.
👉 Next up :
How to turn your major into a personal brand that sets you apart.
💬 What about you — if your degree is just a brand, what’s your proof?
