Business leaders are in conflict over whether the [unclear part]. Meanwhile, the co – founder is enticing young entrepreneurs to abandon the “corrupt institution” of higher education and “create new things.” However, [former CEO of…], the former CEO of [unclear company], is responding with his own opinion for emerging workers.
“I firmly disagree with the technology investor Peter Thiel,” Blankfein wrote in an excerpt from his upcoming memoir, Streetwise, in Vanity Fair. “To achieve success in a career, you obviously have to know the technical details of your field. But you also need to be a well – rounded person—the kind of person others want to interact with.”
One of the best ways for aspiring professionals to develop as individuals and prepare for career success is by going to college, Blankfein suggested.
The long – time executive is an alumnus of both Harvard University and Harvard Law School. When recalling his undergraduate years, he said he “endured” the experience more than he enjoyed it. Blankfein admitted that the Ivy League school might not be a perfect fit for everyone, but it undoubtedly opened doors for his future career and was “the best place to have attended.”
The former Goldman Sachs leader says the school cultivated his confidence, writing skills, love for history, and engagement with current events. And he might have missed out on that development if he had skipped the experience entirely; Blankfein recognizes the value of a liberal arts education.
“Your undergraduate years are your best chance to put yourself in uncomfortable situations that can make you more inquisitive and interesting,” Blankfein added.
The anti – college Thiel and Meritocracy Fellowship
Blankfein’s outspoken appreciation for the college experience comes at a time when some tech leaders are questioning the effectiveness of higher education.
Just last spring, Palantir launched its [unclear program]: a four – month, paid internship for recent high school graduates not enrolled in college. During their time at the company, Generation Z individuals learn about U.S. history and the foundations of the West, and work alongside Palantir’s full – time employees to solve technical problems and improve products.
The internship was promoted as a way to “get the Palantir degree” and “avoid debt. Avoid indoctrination.” Cofounder and CEO Alex Karp [unclear verb] that the internship was created to address the “flaws in university admissions.”
“Obscure admissions criteria at many American universities have replaced meritocracy and excellence,” the Palantir job [unclear part]. “As a result, qualified students are being denied an education based on subjective and superficial criteria. Without meritocracy, campuses have become breeding grounds for extremism and chaos.”
And Palantir cofounder Thiel has been disrupting the college – to – job path for a much longer time. Since 2011, the Thiel Fellowship has been providing substantial grants to young people who are willing to drop out of college and start their businesses.
The program has [unclear number] dozen unicorns so far, with notable fellowship alumni including [unclear co – founder] and [unclear creator].
The CEOs who agree that college degrees are still important
The former Goldman Sachs CEO isn’t the only business leader advocating for the value of college degrees. The cofounder of AI giant [unclear company] won’t fade into the background in an increasingly technology – driven world—they’ll actually be pushed to the forefront of innovation.
“I actually believe that studying the humanities will be more important than ever,” Amodei [unclear verb] in a recent interview with ABC News. “The ability to have critical thinking skills and learn how to interact with others will be more important in the future, not less.”
Even leaders who achieved great success outside the corporate world advise aspiring professionals to stay in school.
Multimillionaire music icon Usher didn’t attend college himself, but he still [unclear verb] attending university. However, he warns that a single piece of paper won’t take them far—emerging workers need to work hard and make good use of their skills once they leave campus.
“A diploma still matters, yes, of course it matters, but it’s not the paper that gives power, it’s you. You create the value behind that degree,” Usher [unclear verb] at Emory University last year. “It is your ambition, it is your integrity, it is your hard work, it is your passion; that’s how you lead, that’s how you serve, that’s how you choose to show up when no one else is watching.”