The Education Revolution in the US: Is the College Degree Disappearing?
๐จ US Colleges in 'Crisis': The Era of Graduates Struggling to Find Jobs
The recent wave of change sweeping through American universities is significant. The news that even computer science majors, once considered a "golden ticket," are facing severe employment difficulties has been quite a shock. Just a few years ago, Carnegie Mellon University's Computer Science department boasted a 400% employment rate, with graduates often receiving three to four job offers simultaneously. Now, that rate has plummeted to around 50%. The reality of even internship positions being hard to come by has led to deep sighs from American professors. Their concern isn't for their own jobs, but rather for the job prospects of their students, who will carry the future.
๐ Palantir's Bold Declaration: High School Graduates and the Rise of 'Nano Degrees'
Amidst this turmoil, an intriguing movement has emerged: Palantir, an AI software company, has made a groundbreaking announcement regarding its hiring practices. Palantir declared that it will now recruit and cultivate high school graduates directly, offering them its own 'nano degrees' (Meritocracy Fellowship) instead of exclusively hiring college graduates. This approach is similar to how professional sports leagues discover and develop high school athletes.
High school graduates selected for this program will begin practical work at Palantir's New York headquarters this fall, tackling technical challenges for four months. They will even receive a monthly salary of $5,400 (approximately 7.5 million Korean Won), and outstanding performers will be given priority for full-time employment. This signifies a major shift from a degree-centric hiring model to one focused on practical skills and capabilities.
๐ซ Changes in the US Public Education System: Mandatory AI and Computer Science
The voices of corporations aren't limited to hiring practices. The US public education system itself is undergoing a transformation. In May, over 200 CEOs from major US companies signed a letter urging state leaders to mandate AI and computer science classes as a high school graduation requirement. Currently, 12 states, including Alabama and Arkansas, already require high school students to earn computer science credits for graduation.
The Trump administration also signed an executive order in April to foster interest in computer science and AI from an early age, and established a White House AI Task Force to expand AI education for K-12 students. This isn't just about teaching how to use AI tools, but rather focusing on developing a fundamental understanding and application of AI, including what AI is, how to handle it, and what ethical problems it poses.
๐ก Redefining the Role of Universities: Beyond Knowledge Acquisition to 'Wisdom' and 'Problem-Solving'
Of course, some express concern that "teaching AI too early might hinder students' critical thinking skills." However, the tech industry, expressing skepticism about the 'college degree,' argues that students must learn how to use AI tools safely and productively. Big tech companies now place much greater importance on practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and creative thinking than on academic degrees. In other words, they focus on 'what you can do' rather than 'what you have learned.' In the AI era, it's essential not just to use AI, but to understand its operating principles and leverage them to create new things and solve complex problems. There's a growing recognition that the path for future generations to become active creators rather than mere consumers of AI lies in educational innovation.
Korean universities face similar challenges. The current trend of prioritizing only medical school or failing to cultivate global talent underscores the urgent need for fundamental innovation in Korean higher education. In new industrial sectors like AI, robotics, biotechnology, and energy transition, technical skills alone are insufficient. Diverse critical thinking skills, including ethical judgment, policy understanding, and data interpretation, are required. Companies are no longer looking for mere 'majors' but for 'problem-solvers' who can connect and interpret disparate issues. There's a growing consensus that the education ecosystem, from high school to college and into society, needs to shift from an admissions-centric selection process to a growth-based selection process. While Palantir's policy may not be the sole answer, it clearly offers a valid solution for future education.
The US, with its superior higher education (beyond K-12), is already taking action. This is likely driven by the understanding that without such changes, it will be difficult to cultivate talent and, consequently, to maintain its status as a high-performing nation.
๋๊ธ ์์:
๋๊ธ ์ฐ๊ธฐ