The Threat to Higher Education: Who’s to Blame for Endangered Careers?

Juan Álvarez
2 min readJan 31, 2023

As technology advances, certain professions and university degrees that were once considered secure and reliable are now facing significant threats. The invention of simple yet powerful tools has raised questions about the responsibility of various stakeholders in this shift.

Are universities to blame for not updating their curriculums to meet the demands of the changing job market? Are labor unions at fault for solely focusing on protecting the interests of their current members, rather than actively promoting skills upgrading and professional development? Are education departments lacking in their obligation to demand that universities provide current, relevant education? And what about industries themselves — are they failing to communicate the changing needs of the workforce to educational institutions?

The law of Moore states that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles approximately every two years, leading to an exponential increase in computing power. If we apply this law to education, it becomes clear that traditional education is falling short. The rapid pace of technological advancement means that the information and skills taught in the classroom today will quickly become outdated, making it necessary for the educational system to keep pace with the changing needs of the workforce.

The purpose of education is to prepare individuals for successful careers, but if the traditional education system does not adapt to the rapidly changing technological landscape, it will not be able to meet this objective. The education system must take into account the exponential growth of technology and incorporate it into their curriculum in order to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the future. It is not enough for the educational system to just focus on the basics, they must also anticipate the demands of the future workforce and adapt their teaching methods accordingly.

It’s important to consider all of these factors in order to have a comprehensive understanding of the situation. But one thing is clear: the world is changing rapidly, and those who refuse to adapt and evolve risk being left behind.

The truth is, there are no easy answers. The responsibility for ensuring that professionals and students are equipped with the skills they need for the future lies with everyone involved in the education and workforce system. From universities to government agencies, from industries to labor unions, all stakeholders must work together to ensure a bright and prosperous future for the next generation. Failure to do so could result in a workforce that is ill-prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

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Juan Álvarez

Autor, filósofo y especialista en narrativa, creatividad, pensamiento disruptivo, y líder en servicios creativos. Story-Coach, guionista y marketer digital.