To the Editor:

As a member of Generation Z and a current college student, I would like to shed some light on the educational situation I and my peers face. The harsh reality is that we’re struggling in the workplace as we search for jobs and build careers. The American education system is to blame.

Gen Z has been sold a lie, and it’s time we face this uncomfortable truth.

Our youth are told that a college degree is the golden ticket to success, but this one-size-fits-all approach has proven very costly. Instead of equipping students with practical skills and critical thinking abilities, they’re burdened with crushing debt and degrees that often hold little value in today’s job market.

Employers are turning down Gen Z workers, even ones with college degrees, because they are unprepared for the workforce. They remain unfamiliar and uncomfortable with the realities of holding a career.

As students learn how to work the education system, they miss opportunities to develop resilience, adaptability, and communication skills — all essential for success. The education system has yet to adapt to this reality.

College costs are rising exponentially. The current state of the economy makes it unfeasible for many young people to invest in such a costly pursuit. With the rise of AI and technological advancements, college educations are steadily losing value.

The solution: reform our education system. Start focusing on skills and critical thinking that benefit students in all aspects of life. Let students work ahead and determine their own education path. Stop holding students back and let them succeed, let them flourish by enhancing their abilities and exploring unprecedented opportunities. Stop pushing perfection and selling children expensive degrees.

The future of Gen Z — and, indeed, our society — depends on change. Let’s stop perpetuating this lie and start building an education system that serves our young people. We need to reevaluate our approach to education and focus on career preparation. It’s up to parents, educators, policymakers, and community members to wake up and push for meaningful change. We all deserve better.

Aliciana Archibald

Canyon City