A recent book explores how young labor organizers are working to unionize their workplaces. This effort comes amid long-standing advice given to young people in the country: pursue higher education. For decades, the message has been clear—earning a college degree could help navigate the labor market.
While a degree is not a ticket to wealth, it has been considered a safeguard against entering uncertain and unstable job sectors. As industrial jobs declined and administrative tasks became automated, a college education was seen as a form of security. This advice aimed to protect individuals from the volatile service economy, characterized by erratic work hours and stagnant wages.