Parents dream of a top-ranked university for their child. But what if the real risk isn’t WHERE they study - it’s WHAT they study?
Every year, students and parents obsess over university rankings - as if the name on the diploma alone translates to success. Yet, in today’s fast-changing world, the question we should be asking is not “Which university should I go to?” but rather “What should I study — and why?”
The data is startling. Today, over 50% of graduates - outside of professional degrees like medicine and law - end up in careers completely unrelated to their field of study. Even amongst the brightest minds, misalignment happens - over 23% of Harvard MBA graduates cannot secure a job within six months of graduation. Clearly, the traditional thinking of “get into the best school, and everything will follow” may no longer apply, especially in the AI-era.
The problem lies in what I call the “University Major <> Career Path” Disconnect. Often, students choose a university based on prestige, without fully understanding how their own passion, values, and interests strategize with their major and career path.
It’s worth stepping back to ask a fundamental question: What is the purpose of education? If the goal is to build a happy, fulfilling career, then we need to shift our focus from prestige to purpose. Parents naturally feel proud when their children enter a top-ranked university, but university is not an endpoint – it is the beginning of a 30- to 40-year career journey.
Think of college education as an investment. Before buying a company’s stock, we analyze its prospects: new products, innovative technology, and long-term growth. Shouldn’t we apply the same logic to education? Before “investing” four years of time and money, should we not evaluate whether the chosen major will yield meaningful and sustainable career returns THAT WILL TRULY SUIT you / your child.
The key is to start with the student, not the school. We must understand what our child is genuinely good at, passionate about, and what they value. These are not soft, abstract concepts; they are the fuel for self-motivation and future success. Aligning passion with work is what creates resilience and drives excellence.
I say this not as a counsellor, but as someone who has lived it. I was a science-minded Gen X student who excelled in chemistry, physics, and math. I entered UC Berkeley to study Chemical Engineering, switched to Mechanical Engineering midway, then pursued a master’s in Management Science & Engineering at Stanford. Eventually, I landed in investment banking and hedge funds - but it took me eight months to find my first job (post-graduation) because my degree didn’t align with where I wanted to go.
Today, big data and AI make it easier than ever to guide this life decision. Through various self-discovery assessments + tools, and professional consultations, we identify a student’s motivations and values - the foundation for aligning education with future career paths.
A wrong investment isn’t just about misallocated tuition fees; it’s the student’s precious time and lost potential. My own journey through engineering at top schools before a difficult pivot into finance taught me this firsthand. As Jeff Bezos often advised students, the crucial task is to “…get in touch with what they are passionate about.” Passion and values are the fuel that sustain motivation and success - far more than prestige or parental expectations.
So, before we ask, “Which top university can you get into?” Let’s first help our children answer the more vital question: “What will you build your life on?”
Herman Fong
Founder of Grove Education
Enquiry: (852)2381 8013
Email: consultation@grove-education.com
Website: https://www.grove-education.com/
Address: Suite 2807, 28/F, Tower 2, Times Square, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
