This Isn't School Any More - Too Much Higher Education Makes Transition to Work Brutal Rite of Passage, Professional Success Iffy

" ...the partner told me I am not in school anymore where asking questions out of curiosity gets you an A+."

 Fishbowl Big Law, January 26, 2024

This is just one example of the problems created by the American Way of investing in an excessive amount of higher education. In this situation, it's three-year law school. Essentially law school is an intellectual box in which the theoretical dominates. Graduates land in law firms with little strategic or procedural know-how.

In addition, even with the rudimentary BA/BS path bad habits are developed which make it difficult to transition to how to make a good living. Those range from being evaluated on individual performance versus teamwork (and social skills) to the assumption that there is one right answer (and you will be tested to come up with it). Also, think about this: "Going to school" is a protected environment in which the student's needs are accommodated. After all, the student is the customer and that account should be kept happy. Work is a demanding environment in which the employer's needs should be intuited and met pronto. 

In my career, even before I became a full-time intuitive coach/Tarot reader, I noticed a correlation between those with a very high IQ who thrived in school and disappointing careers. They never could adjust to what it takes to do well in the workplace. The contexts are quite different. 

Among the exceptions are those who already knew from their parents, who are in the business, the fundamentals from the get-go of doing well when it comes to creating a career path. They range from Will Meyerhofer, who operates a private practice, in the field of psychotherapy to Brad Karp who practices law at Paul, Weiss. 

Recently, what more are jaw-jawing about is if higher education pays off for professional success. Of course, there are plenty of variables. What those who have done the best out there in their careers note is that they never took school seriously as an end in itself. It was, as one former head of beverage company put it, "what I had to do to get ahead in life." And that was that.

As things stand, it still seems necessary to pick up the BA/BS and for some lines of work a professional degree such as the JD. But the guidance is increasingly: Get the grades but don't take the process seriously. America is no country for intellectuals. And the smarties in management consultant are increasingly less marketable. A few of my clients are against hiring those from "good schools."

Complimentary confidential intuitive coaching session. No pressure. Maybe even some lightness of being. Please contact Jane Genova for an appointment (text/phone 203-468-8579 or email at janegenova374@gmail.com)