Careerism is ruining college

Yes, careerism is "ruining college" in many ways. The intense focus on preparing for a job often undermines student's personal and intellectual growth, leading to emotional strain. Personally, I have experienced this recently. I have been feeling like I am only in college to get a job and then move on with life, yes that is somewhat true but it has made me feel trapped in a way. This has made me rethink my purpose as a student here at Loyola and made me feel like I am just a number. Freire critiques the "banking model" of education, where students passively store information rather than engage with it critically. He argues, “The more students work at storing the deposits entrusted to them, the less they develop the critical consciousness which would result from their intervention in the world as transformers of that world” (Freire, p. 72). In today’s career-focused education, students are encouraged to accumulate skills and certifications for future employment, but not to question or explore the world deeply. This transactional approach limits student's emotional and intellectual development. Careerism also creates anxiety and self-doubt. The constant pressure to perform, compare, and succeed creates a stressful environment. Freire’s “problem-posing” education, where students reflect on their learning and its broader impact, could shift this focus. Instead of just job preparation, education could become about personal growth and social responsibility. Ultimately, careerism harms students emotionally by turning education into a means to an end rather than a transformative experience.