Why “Just Go to College” Became the Default Career Advice
(And Who It Actually Benefits)
For decades, career advice in the United States boiled down to one phrase:
“Just go to college.”
Teachers said it. Counselors repeated it. Parents passed it on. Not because it was dishonest — but because it once worked.
What rarely gets explained is why college became the default, who benefits most from that advice, and who quietly absorbs the risk when it fails.
This article isn’t anti-college. It’s about replacing default advice with informed career strategy.
Start Here: Career Paths in Wisconsin
If you’re reading this because you feel unsure — or pressured — about college, you’re not alone.
In Wisconsin, many stable careers don’t begin in a classroom. They begin with paid training, structured mentorship, and a clear path forward.
How “Just Go to College” Became the Default
Thirty to forty years ago, college was a reliable path to upward mobility.
- Tuition was relatively affordable
- Degrees were uncommon
- Employers used diplomas to filter applicants
- Skilled trades were quietly removed from many high schools
At the same time, schools were evaluated largely on one metric:
College enrollment rates.
In Wisconsin, this shift was especially noticeable. Many high schools phased out shop classes just as demand for electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and industrial maintenance workers increased. Apprenticeships continued operating outside the school system, invisible unless a family already knew they existed.
Why Adults Still Give the Same Advice
Most adults recommend college because it worked for them — or because they don’t know what replaced it.
- Parents remember a cheaper system
- Teachers often followed academic paths themselves
- Counselors are rarely trained in apprenticeships or trades
College sounds responsible. Alternatives sound risky — even when they aren’t.
Who “Just Go to College” Actually Benefits
Universities
Enrollment drives revenue. Student loans ensure payment regardless of outcomes.
Credential-Driven Employers
Degrees act as low-cost screening tools — even for jobs that don’t require them.
Institutions, Not Individuals
Schools are rewarded for enrollment numbers, not long-term career success.
Who Pays the Price
In Wisconsin, the consequences are easy to spot. Students graduate with debt while employers struggle to fill apprenticeship slots in construction, electrical work, plumbing, machining, and maintenance. Many graduates return home unsure how their degree fits the local job market.
What Changed — But the Advice Didn’t
Wisconsin’s labor market didn’t collapse — it specialized.
Trades became more technical, wages rose, benefits improved, and apprenticeships modernized. But career guidance stayed frozen in the past.
Better Career Questions to Ask
- What skills am I building?
- Who pays me while I learn?
- What happens if this path doesn’t work?
- How long until I’m financially stable?
- What careers are actually in demand in Wisconsin?
These questions create options — not defaults.
Is College Ever the Right Choice?
Yes — when a degree is required, costs are controlled, and outcomes are clear.
The problem isn’t college itself. It’s treating college as the only respectable option.
Why Patriot Pilgrim Exists
Patriot Pilgrim exists because too many people were given safe advice instead of honest guidance.
You deserve more than a reflex answer. You deserve a strategy.