Latest news with #diploma
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
As degrees get branded worthless, LinkedIn's just revealed the universities that give Gen Z the best shot at corner office jobs
As Gen Z increasingly wonders whether a diploma is worth the debt, LinkedIn says the real test of a school is its career pay-off and ROI. The platform's newest list of the top 50 colleges crowns Princeton University, Duke University and the University of Pennsylvania as the top institutions for 'long-term career success.' Smaller and lesser-known schools can also be hidden gems for young people seeking a fast track to the C-suite or building the next billion-dollar start-up. Millions of college students are headed back to school in the coming weeks, but the excitement of new classes, reconnecting with friends, and fall weather is being overshadowed by a cloud of uncertainty. With many recent graduates struggling like never before to land jobs—and some CEOs warning entry-level jobs are on the brink of extinction thanks to AI—Gen Z is left questioning whether spending four years and thousands of dollars on a degree will be well worth it. And ultimately, the answer may come down to where you obtained your degree. Graduates from Princeton University, Duke University, and the University of Pennsylvania are most likely to experience long-term career success, according to a list of the top 50 U.S. colleges released by LinkedIn this week. With indications that higher education payoff is slowly dying, it's more important now than ever to weigh up after-college career results and the likely ROI of a degree, says Andrew Seaman, senior editor-at-large for jobs and career development at LinkedIn News. 'Long-term success isn't just about landing a great first job, it's about sustained career growth and opportunity years after graduation,' Seaman tells Fortune. 'For this list, that means looking at how well a school sets alumni up for the long haul.' Whereas the median annual salary for high school graduates was $48,360 in 2024, those with a bachelor's degree typically earn just over $80,000—about a 65% increase, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cornell University, and Harvard University round out the top six best colleges, but other typically elite schools are much further down the list. Ivy League institutions Columbia University and Yale University, are No. 18 and 19, respectively. (See the full list below). Getting a degree from a popular school might not be enough LinkedIn produced its ranking using five equally weighted pillars: Job placement: Percentage of alumni from recent graduate cohorts (2019-2024) who started a full-time position or a graduate school program within the same year of graduating. Internships and recruit demand: Percentage of alumni from recent cohorts who completed an undergraduate internship; and labor market demand for recent cohorts, based on InMail outreach data. Career success: Percentage of alumni with post-graduate entrepreneurship or C-suite experience. Networth strength: How connected alumni of the same school are to each other, as well as how connected alumni from recent cohorts are to all past alumni and current students Knowledge breadth: Unique fields of study and skills gained by recent graduates. Focusing on these data points, LinkedIn produced a ranking that saw many well-known schools absent, such as Johns Hopkins University, Emory University, Georgia Tech, and the University of North Carolina. Instead, some institutions with lesser name-recognition made the top-50 cut, such as Bentley University (No. 15), Bucknell University (No. 21), and Fairfield University (No. 28). The findings overall signal that a popular or Ivy League name isn't needed to deliver exceptional career outcomes, Seaman says. 'Schools like Bentley University and Fairfield University are excelling at connecting students with high-quality internships, building strong alumni networks, and helping graduates secure jobs or graduate school placements quickly, all factors that drive long-term career success,' Seaman adds. Among Bucknell's class of 2024, 93% of students secured career opportunities within nine months of graduation, earning an average starting salary of $73,075. Smaller colleges, such as Babson College and Colgate University, were also standouts in terms of network strength and job placement. Babson in particular has the highest percentage of graduates who have become entrepreneurs and founders, according to Seaman. The growing need for AI skills As the value of college continues to be questioned, what many business leaders agree is that students need to learn AI skills above all—or they could risk becoming part of the growing number of Gen Zers who are NEET, not in employment, education, or training. Earlier this year, over 250 CEOs, including Microsoft's Satya Nadella, Airbnb's Brian Chesky, and Uber's Dara Khosrowshahi, called for an increase in computer science and AI education among all students. 'In the age of AI, we must prepare our children for the future—to be AI creators, not just consumers,' the CEOs wrote in a letter sent to lawmakers. 'A basic foundation in computer science and AI is crucial for helping every student thrive in a technology-driven world. Without it, they risk falling behind.' But that doesn't necessarily mean your college major has to be squarely AI or tech-focused. In fact, when Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was recently asked what the young version of himself would choose to focus on today, he said he'd opt for 'more of the physical sciences than the software sciences.' The top 50 schools for long-term career success According to LinkedIn Princeton University Duke University University of Pennsylvania Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Cornell University Harvard University Babson College University of Notre Dame Dartmouth College Stanford University Northwestern University University of Virginia Vanderbilt University Brown University Bentley University Tufts University Lehigh University Columbia University Yale University Carnegie Mellon University Bucknell University Boston College Villanova University University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Wake Forest University University of Chicago University of Southern California Fairfield University Washington and Lee University University of California-Berkeley Rice University Georgetown University Purdue University University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Miami University Colgate University Southern Methodist University Bryant University Worcester Polytechnic Institute The Pennsylvania State University California Institute of Technology Trinity College Boston University University of Richmond Stevens Institute of Technology The University of Texas at Austin Indiana University Bloomington Lafayette College Providence College University of Wisconsin-Madison This story was originally featured on
Independent Singapore
22-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
'Diploma in hand, doors still shut; why the job market feels rigged for the degree-holding elite'
SINGAPORE: In a noiseless corner of Reddit, one Redditor in his mid-20s shared an honest update of his current professional journey. Notwithstanding his diploma in media, he hasn't secured a full-time job in the field. In its place, he quietly built up a compact history in the food and beverage business and even had managerial roles. Lately, he thought of chasing a new dream, and that is to finally make use of that media diploma and step into the corporate world. However, the truth was grim. 'It has been extremely hard trying to even get an interview,' he wrote, adding that most media positions demand a university degree. He was working towards one part-time job, but the process was sluggish and ambiguous. With a combined tone of hope and exhaustion, he asked other diploma holders in corporate jobs, 'How are you all doing?' The echo of a shared struggle The replies came in gradually, and many boomed the same disappointment. One commenter, equipped only with a diploma, acknowledged the arduous battle: 'It's extremely hard trying to even get an interview.' Another commenter added that without a degree, choices shrink, particularly in bigger companies. 'You'll likely have to start with the civil service or join an SME (small to medium enterprise). They're more open to diploma holders, and you can work your way up.' But even that route came with boundaries. 'Not having a degree means companies will likely cite that as a reason not to promote you much or pay you on par with degree holders.' Yes, a certificate could open some doors, but many continue to stay shut unless one has a degree—or, as some said, a completely different strategy. Creative detours and real-life workarounds However, not everyone thought the lack or absence of a degree was a roadblock. One commenter gave a calculated recommendation based on personal experience: 'Try landing an admin assistant contract role in an MNC first. What you lack in relevancy can be compensated by company reputation.' The idea is to get one foot in the door, even if the role isn't associated with your area of expertise, and then do some 'manoeuvring' internally. Established or well-reputed businesses written on your resume can act as a launching pad later on. Others cited skills-based occupations that reward experience and ambition more than paper qualifications. A late-twenties designer shared a predominantly inspiring story: 'I only have a diploma. GPA 2.1, but I work in design, and I earn more than some of my degree-holding peers. Why? Because I invested in my soft skills, built a network, said yes to good opportunities, and no to bad ones.' Sales, development, engineering, and design all came up as arenas where concrete abilities can overshadow academic labels. The common thread in these responses? Persistence, adaptability, and a long-game outlook. Not easy, but not impossible So, how are diploma holders managing in the corporate world? Many are still fighting to be 'seen.' To someone lacking a degree, the corporate pecking order can appear loftier, the steps further apart. But whether it's shifting into an admin position to build reliability and trustworthiness, gambling on a skills-based professional route, or investing in a part-time degree to penetrate and break through the paper ceiling, there's no single path, no prescribed direction. Just a shared belief, for as one commenter said, 'It's harder for us, but not impossible. You just have to do more.' See also Value of pursuing your dreams
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New hypnotherapy training centre to open in Swindon
A new hypnotherapy training centre is set to open in the region. Inspiraology will open a branch in Swindon, allowing students from Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire to access training in clinical hypnotherapy at the Neuro Wellbeing Centre. The training, which begins in July, will be led by psychotherapist and hypnotherapist Gary Smith, founder of Best Mind Therapy. Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱 💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Save over 50% on an annual subscription now. 🔗 #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025 The course offers a Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy and lasts ten months. Students will gain practical hypnotherapy skills, a deep understanding of mind-body therapies, certification to practise as a professional hypnotherapist, and ongoing mentorship and support throughout the training. Mr Smith said: "We're delighted to bring Inspiraology's proven training programme to Swindon. Read more: Close friend shares grief after late-night river tragedy takes footballer's life "This course isn't just about gaining a qualification — it's about transforming lives, starting with your own. "Whether you're looking to make a fresh start, support others more deeply, or expand your practice, this is a powerful and rewarding step forward." Spaces are limited for the July intake. Early registration is recommended.
CBC
26-06-2025
- General
- CBC
Grant Park High School graduates share their hopes, dreams and ambitions
Nerves, excitement, hopes and dreams filled the air as 205 graduating students of Grant Park High School in Winnipeg received their diplomas on Thursday.
CBC
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
#TheMoment a N.B. student rode her horse to get her high school diploma
Kenzie Simmons, a Saint John high school graduate with autism, describes getting the opportunity to receive her diploma with her beloved horse, Blondie.
