What do we really mean when we say college isn’t for everyone? | Alex Bernadotte | TEDxBYU

More often than not, those who question whether college is for everyone do so with their own college degree already in hand. For many students, particularly those from under-resourced communities, a college degree is a shot at a meaningful career and even a path out of poverty. First-generation college graduate Alexandra Bernadotte was a star student but nearly dropped out after her freshman year at Dartmouth before graduating and becoming a nonprofit entrepreneur. In this talk, she wonders what we might accomplish if we spent less time questioning whether college is for everyone and more time fixing the systemic and policy barriers that often stand in the way of college success for all students but, in particular, students like her.
Alex Bernadotte is the founder and CEO of Beyond 12, a high-tech, high-touch nonprofit that integrates personalized coaching and intelligent technology to increase the college graduation rates of underserved students. She has more than 20 years of executive management and strategic development experience in the nonprofit and private sectors. Alex has won numerous awards, including being named an Ashoka Fellow, one of the highest honors for social entrepreneurs in the world. In addition, Beyond 12 was recognized as one of the world's ten most innovative companies in education by Fast Company and the organization's MyCoach mobile app won the 2016 Xammy Award for best social impact app. Alex received her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth and earned a master's degree with a concentration in policy and organizational leadership from Stanford.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@lollipopcorndog]

A lot of people go to college for the following: To take a break from their family Parents pressure them to go For the experience/aesthetic

[@RS-jd7jp]

Or if they don't have a plan to do what they actually want, or they don't know what they want

[@shieme100]

Literally that’s all me rn

[@ambermj3037]

@@RS-jd7jp yea, it’s just a safe zone but nothing bad comes from it usually. In the end you can tell urself u did something.

[@user-pg6kf9hf4v]

@@ambermj3037 student debt

[@ambermj3037]

@@user-pg6kf9hf4v ur gonna be working for ur life anyways. It’s just another i investment

[@ivyyy-1940]

I felt depressed and a lack of motivation for college...

[@kontoru22]

Yea bruh, its just assignments, assignments, with no room for learning or failing for yourself

[@user-eh4gu3bq8k]

Today was my first day and I already don’t wanna go, I’m doing business mgt because I have no idea what I wanna do, but I’m being forced to go by my parents. I don’t know what to do

[@jaylenhyatt9156]

@@user-eh4gu3bq8k honestly I hate ts so much it’s really got me depressed but parents don’t understand that

[@everydayfun9531]

@@kontoru22 man Fr these Assignment's are DeadA** Feel's like im Back in High School But with More Work And Strict Grading Like u Literally Gotta Keep that F GPA up and S*** F that it's so Stressful and Dosent Even Feel Worth it to Me im Just Wasting my Time Bein in college..

[@josemejia6093]

I feel this

[@adebisi9]

You are 100% correct, Alex. Your talk is spot on --- college isn't for everyone, but the opportunity to choose whether or not it is should be extended to all.

[@onewildandcrazyguy9213]

there's plenty of people who would be where they're at without a college degree that have a college degree because their jobs didn't require a college degree after they graduated they went through four years of college because they were told that's what they had to do

[@terrance2405]

what a great comment

[@christophershanklin112]

What kind of jobs are we taking ?

[@onewildandcrazyguy9213]

@@christophershanklin112 there's a lot of management jobs that people could have work their way up to without a college degree

[@UnlimitedEmeralds]

I used to be a promising candidate for college, I had a 4.2 GPA, I was captain of my debate team, graduated with honors and I got accepted to one of the best schools in my state. Then I failed 5 classes and got academically dismissed. Tried it again with my local community college and have already failed several classes, I'm barely holding on to a 2.0. It's pretty obvious college isn't for me but my mom will kick me out if I'm not in school. I then tried to apply for the air force and didn't meet the health requirements. I don't know what else to do.

[@kenroystewart9312]

Hey Ritchie dont know how you doing but honestly you need to talk to your parents since it's really not working for you. Set up at least a decent plan with them in at least getting a job you dont hate and a road map so you can then move out and be able to support yourself without them kicking you out. Let them know if they really love you they'll support you in your decisions so you can be happy

[@UnlimitedEmeralds]

@@kenroystewart9312 My mom is a very educated woman and expects her children to go to college. Its not something she's willing to negotiate on but I have mentioned trade school to her. It might be a good compromise but I also have no idea what trade I would learn.

[@kenroystewart9312]

@@UnlimitedEmeralds true, maybe a community college for two years and get an associate's degree in maybe economics or business if you think you can

[@JDinho]

Buddy what do you love to do? Just do that and find to make a money out of it! Something you enjoy doing though

[@TYUAN2009]

What you need is skills. A college degree does not entitle anyone higher pay. Worse, people take out hefty loans to get a 4 year degree and ended up working at fast food restaurants. That is because college degree does not mean you gained employable skills. Google, Amazon, so many companies even accounting firms already making statements about not needing a 4 years degree. Find out what you are good at, not what you are passionate about- but what skills you uniquely have and can be further developed into employable skills. Find apprentice jobs- even work for free in the beginning. You will create a path for yourself. This is 2020. Time has changed and college is being disrupted in front of our eyes. Especially during the pandemic, parents paying full tuition and have their kids taking zoom classes are fooling themselves. You can learn so much on the internet and you can use social media to network. We raise our kids on a converyor belt of conformity, the ones that take risks and learn about themselves and push beyond comfort zones will be rewarded in the future. You are young and don't be discouraged. You should always learn and be curious about the world but it does not have to be in college. The world is the new university.

[@cocoaskinn1897]

I don't have the motivation for college, I dropped out twice and kept procrastinating with every assignment. Now I have a debt and I feel like I just wasted my time because I don't have the motivation.

[@kimberlycastillo2285]

Dont give up... have you tried looking for support by asking your friends or family or talking to a counselor? There are so many resources out there to help you. Sometimes it's just our minds that trick us into negative thinking and it takes a lot of dedicated perseverance to get through it all. You're in my prayers.

[@j_ordans]

Me right now, I don’t know what to do with myself honestly, college is really not for me

[@veetee4826]

i feel like dropping out..

[@Xzouv]

not to play online doctor, but have you considered that you may be neurodivergent (have ADHD, GAD, etc)? and need some extra support. I too struggle with procrastination and it can be debilitating if you perceive it to be a fault of your own rather than something bigger

[@yesseniacastaneda5972]

Read the book on how to become an A+ student, it helped me a lot.

[@Mahokame13]

This was beautifully put. I was told by a bunch of high earning college graduates (my family) "college isn't for everyone." When I had to drop out originally due to mental health issues. Now I know after all the jobs I've had and by barely scrapping by on minimum wage that this is not the path I want for my future. The college system needs to be restructured so its accessible to everyone because right now college is the best way to earn more, especially with growing automation. I wish instead of being told "college isn't for everyone" I was told "college is an investment and you should really take your time and think about what you want to do with your life, because this is a big decision." I want a better life for myself and for my children. I know I won't be the next Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg so the best move forward at the moment that I see is college.

[@onewildandcrazyguy9213]

I know some very very successful hairdressers an welders who make very good livings and are very happy and they don't have a college degree

[@ambermj3037]

Congrats. That’s exactly what it is and that’s what I learned after bullshitting a college scholarship for two years. At least I got the first two accomplished. I adapted to the workforce and then remembered why I was in school, it’s the option to do better and earn more for the work you’re doing. It’s the opportunity to do better simply by investing a little bit of time that would pass anyways.

[@leahmadalyn]

I can relate to this. I am back in school because the pay was not PAYING!

[@pizzatime9196]

Why doesn't this have more views? Im literally experiencing an amalgamation of horrible emotions as a college student and it would be so amazingly great if more attention were brought to this.

[@nateg247]

Powerful message. It is often difficult to articulate this specific topic and the undertones that exist within. Thank you Alex.

[@vincentmangal6169]

Lady, your heart is in the right place but we all know college is established as a BUSINESS not a place for learning. Your right but thats what it is.

[@veetee4826]

Since when did I say that I wanted to work for an employer?? NEVER. Thinking of dropping out.. it's not worth going thru anxiety and break downs when I could just be living my life doing whatever I please! Nuf said.

[@TheSkilloMan]

How’s this going?

[@DethInHFIL]

Ironically, I have to do a college assignment about this video

[@EnchantedCC]

Same right now

[@empresstanee4544]

@@EnchantedCC same

[@andrewwilkins6553]

I was upset about a lot of things in my college because I had such high hopes and I thought that I was going to have the best time and now because of the pandemic it has made me worried because I have lost a semester. Maybe I didn’t use my time well enough and I didn’t realize the value of time. Another thing is for some reason I wonder why are so many people mean in college? Never have understood why

[@leahmadalyn]

I enjoyed this Ted talk so much. A supportive family is KEY. Some of us have to do it all on our own with little or no support. I want to become a critical thinker and a better writer and I hope I can obtain a college degree. This talk was motivating.

[@Skullfire56]

Success doesn’t need a degree that’s the truth, but I feel that everyone can have the ability to get through college and accomplish their goals with a degree. Will it be easy OF COURSE FUCKIN NOT but with the right mindset, mental state, powerful work ethic, and good time management anyone can get through college not with ease but with pride and strength.

[@ibrokemyownheart4953]

College is a waste of time though

[@RyanNamTV]

im good fam

[@onewildandcrazyguy9213]

You know not everybody is the same some people just don't want to go to college the idea just isn't appealing.that's hard to understand for some people when you like something is hard to understand why other people won't like it

[@isaaczz7818]

I do agree. But here in the Philippines, having one is a must. If u dont have a degree, fortune will not be on your side.

[@veetee4826]

i don't see why i should continue if i feel like i can live a fulfilling life doing smth else.

[@tyroneg.3819]

There is a setup in College for you to fail, you either cave into or you don't.

[@gmailacct9496]

Very true , so many things set up to weed people out

[@jus3278]

Pretty much

[@johnshafer7214]

I graduated from college and it's been a nightmare. I never could get a job out of college 21 years ago when I graduated with a decent gpa. To me it was an overated, worthless, and useless piece of paper. I saw no benefit of having a college degree.

[@mosesjackson_tz]

I agree with you.

[@jackyparker2804]

Did u find a job? Since 10 months ago?

[@johnshafer7214]

@@jackyparker2804 I'm doing work I could have done post high school without a degree of any kind. I'm making a little more than minimum wage. Again, the college degree has been a liability, not an asset.

[@jackyparker2804]

@@johnshafer7214 ok thanks, everyone makes it seems that getting a degree makes it easier for u to find a better paying job. I’m starting college soon but idk if I’m gonna like it. Thanks for ur insite

[@antwan1357]

I have a GED and have some college. I feel good that even though I didn't attain a degree I was able to pay for college without a loan. I just live my life this way , and I just keep making money. I sometimes wonder if the lean years during college teach us more so then the classes.

[@kontoru22]

Whats your job now ?

[@antwan1357]

@@kontoru22 MONEY CENTER I basically cash checks for a living

[@Juggboy621]

I’m in college now and it’s like I wanna go to college for music production I don’t wanna do school work and my mom always tryna push school on me like that’s the only way I will have a good futire

[@user-eh4gu3bq8k]

Today was my first day and I already don’t wanna go, I’m doing business mgt because I have no idea what I wanna do, but I’m being forced to go by my parents. I don’t know what to do

[@lauracanino1424]

Smart girl and great speaker! Love from Italy.

[@onewildandcrazyguy9213]

I know some people who graduated from high school I'm sorry college who really wish they had gone to a trade school instead

[@HighLevelPlayer]

This video is so relatable to me. I'm the first-born of Hispanic immigrants and I guess I'm technically a first-generation college student, though one of my grandfathers was an accountant when he still worked and both my parents did attend university for a time, but never finished. Surprisingly, my aunts and uncles are nearly all college graduates; a professor, three accountants, and a pharmacist/professor. Only two of them did not finish their university education. Regardless, I couldn't depend on my parents on advice for how to navigate college or for help with studying. I first started at my local community college in 2015, and I got a 3.75 GPA in my first semester, but I did badly in the second semester and I dropped out. Long story short, went back and I "dropped out" again in 2021. But I found out on this past Saturday (March 18, 2023) as I looked over my transcript that I didn't drop out then, I had actually completed the requirements for my degree and graduated without realizing it with a date of May 2020. I collected my degree today, Monday, right after talking to the counselor that confirmed that I graduated. I'm planning out how I will do better when I transfer so I make sure I finish in two years, at the age of 30. I'm amazed in a bad way that I spent the last 10 years since my high school graduation so wastefully. I want to make sure I do better and am able to provide for myself so my parents won't worry about how I'll live when they're gone and instead look after them when they're retired.

[@brynnelson7129]

15:17-15:26 🙌🏼

[@lilliangraham9850]

what about community college ?

[@kurleykath.]

asking "is college for those students?" is the same as asking "is college for everyone?"

[@mickeyoshea2035]

It appears you've missed the point and the nuance.

[@diohyuga6737]

No she didn't.

[@wifurzenes680]

Longer life expectancy? Lol most college students are sleep deprived so how do they have a longer life expectancy?

[@gregorysalazar8370]

My family never expected me to go to college, but rather wanted me to marry young, get a blue collar job and settle down. We were a blue collar family on the bad side of town, I am Mexican-American. I wanted to go to college, and to see the world before I “settled down” so I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1980, and got to travel a lot, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Panama, Hong Kong, Thailand and Mexico. Ended my Enlistment in 1984. Went to college with a very watered-down version of the GI Bill, and became a Federal Agent, and because I spoke Spanish, secured several assignments overseas, as a Law Enforcement attaché with the State Department. Got married, had kids, kids now in college and I’m comfortably retired in Mexico. Glad I didn’t take the blue collar route, I would have hated it. Good for some people, but it would have been a disaster for me.

[@daylyght3654]

How much do owe? How much investment return from college? How can you claim all your success was due to graduating from college? Will you have been in the same place if you wouldn’t have gone to college? And how can you prove it?

[@nubainnoob8419]

Exactly what I was wondering. Her stats say nothing about quality of life. Most leave college with mountains of debt. What about those stats. She completely ignored these considerations.

[@andreaweber8059]

Of course mostly people who do have a college degree would ask her "is College for everyone?". Those who do not have such a degree cannot very well ask her that question, it could look like sour grapes.

[@reedbrooks3887]

Things have changed. There has been a population growth 100,000 since 1980 in America and the academic strides the East has made are ludicrous. This paired with the new rediculousness of pricing there is no room for me in college. Therefore I must go beyond college and work smarter as validation and recognition are valuable, but they are not worth $100,000, hundreds of hours of time preparing an application and the simple pain that my worth in society is completely based on my economic value. It is no longer worth it, that is why people who went to college don't advocate it anymore.

[@cailinkeyrock8641]

I'm a huge overthinker about her points which she does make great point what are her three main points in her video?

[@ChixelROBLOX]

KEY TAKEAWAYS: (yw) 01:37 💰 College graduates earn significantly more than those with only a high school diploma, with estimates of over a million dollars in lifetime earnings for four-year degree holders. 02:03 🎓 College graduates tend to experience better health, increased life expectancy, lower unemployment rates, and improved personal and professional mobility. 04:02 🌍 The question of whether college is for everyone is often raised concerning students from under-resourced communities, highlighting the need for tailored support. 09:11 💲 Rising college costs, low graduation rates, and a disconnect between college preparation and workforce skills underscore the challenges in higher education. 12:57 🤝 Rather than excluding some students from college, the focus should be on fixing the broken education system, aligning curricula, enhancing student support, addressing costs, and embracing new education models.

[@onewildandcrazyguy9213]

would I say colleges in for everybody I'm talking about middle-class and upper-middle-class kids as well it's kind of pointless to say it to rich kids but there's plenty of middle-class and upper-middle-class gives from successful families I probably shouldnt go to college

[@mickeyoshea2035]

@12:55 Or we could decide: that no one needs to 'earn a "living"', that all work is worth being paid enough to do a little more than barely survive, and that those who are disabled or aging also deserve a 'living'. We could decide that consuming cheap products en mass is creating a disposable culture where people are disposable, and choose a different way of life. We could decide to stop glorifying being rich as if it's not just a socially acceptable version of hoarding at the expense of human lives and the entire environment / planet. The system ain't broken... it's fixed.

[@isaaczz7818]

Here in the Philippines, a third world country, we necessitate, after Highschool, going to College. Our economy, livelyhood, and EDUCATION in my opinion IS a flop. My parents looks grampy and old not in line with their age. People here worked hard to earn but economy is bulls**t. People here deifies "college degree" that if u have one your life will change, butterflies, and unicorns, etc. How one can determine to have a grandeur life ahead? Economy is wack, livelihood is wack, so does education, and everything. Now I'm a first year college BS Psychology student, I don't know if I am still learning. Pressured in the same way not to put my parents' efforts, energy, professionalism, and money completely go to waste. I'm not happy because of the conventional style of learning SYSTEM. My motivation and sanity is shaking 😖😢 Ps.: I dont have death wish to any universities and colleges here in the Philippines, as well to all professors. Just want to vent out 'cause I'm sad 😓 Pps: I appreciate my professor's effort to continue our classes in the virtual world. Thank so much to all teachers ❤

[@user-zj9kw9lh1i]

At the end of the day it's your life and your the one living it .

[@lvt3507]

Hiii HUHU I am a Filipina and I agree that economy is wack and BS. Nakaka demotivate mag aral sa totoo lang. Ang unfair.

[@chiongkarl9915]

Same par i want to give up college na 2nd year engineering student na ako

[@birdn4t0r7]

so many people in the comments missing the point, mentioning student debt. that's one of the barriers.

[@ishimwecrescent2770]

preach

[@ashleyching5786]

Higher education should be accessible, affordable, & relevant

[@StewieGriffin]

People that go to college for a better job should not go to college.

[@hachi7100]

What???

[@jaiden97]

@@hachi7100 he right you do the same stuff over and over like high school you don't learn how to do your career in college it is waste of time

[@hachi7100]

I'm in college and do stuff different for high school? You think people could just go to high school and become doctors, engineers, teachers, journalists, lawyers, therapists etc@@jaiden97

[@thanavls1088]

@@hachi7100 College only show you a small portion of the real job

[@hachi7100]

@@thanavls1088 It literally prepares you to have the job like the knowledge you need to even do it and most majors you have to do internship of some kind.

[@gailslyfe3910]

It’s the older generation

[@shelbyk2193]

I'm only going to college to make a lot of money. That's ìt. College is a drag for me. I'm miserable, depressed, and hardly have no motivation.

[@JAyala-se4st]

Doesn’t it depend on the type of degree?

[@nathanhulstrand6113]

Because I got a degree, and feel I got no benefit from it. That’s why we ask “is college for everyone?”

[@ekonic9189]

this just sounds like generational trauma

[@wkyondra41]

what was the three main points in this video? What is the source saying? What are the most important points?

[@yaitzamarmedina4759]

need this now

[@nonadaze]

asking 18 year olds to bankrupt themselves for an education is reckless. some people the gamble will pay off with high paying jobs for the rest we will be saddled with crippling debt. framing college as the only way is a disservice.

[@DankoStojanovic]

So the talk has 2 points: 1. you should go to college to get out of poverty 2. current college system sucks. Until you fix #2, #1 is pointless. If you want poor students in even more debt and to rub in what their rich counterparts have and they never will, just send them to college.

[@GloriaRodriguez-cy2ux]

hài nhãm

[@guidofeliz8384]

An NYU professor got fired because 82 out of 300 students complained to the chair of his department that the teacher is too strict and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY too hard. Really? Wow! Organic Chemistry is a required course for all student doctors. It needs to be difficult material. I don't want you giving me medical advice if you graduated from medical school because of lower standard requirements. I majored in Mathematics. Yes, I have a B.A. in Mathematics from Lehman College (CUNY). To earn a math degree, the math department at Lehman College is very strict with its courses and exams. The department has to be strict! After two weeks in abstract algebra, I thought my mind was going to blow up but it didn't. I made it through. By the way, abstract algebra is a course only for math majors. It is not the regular algebra you took in high school. Students today expect colleges across the board to give them a passing grade just for showing up. It doesn't work that way! We have to earn anything of value that we want or need to achieve. I don't agree that NYU should have fired the professor. There's no need for the extreme. As a professor, I would do the same. No free tickets to a college degree in my class. Understand? I will give you the grade you deserve based on exams, class participation, etc. I am not a professor but this is what I would do or simply change my career.

[@jus3278]

College is for everyone and I hate when people say that it isn't. Even if you pursue careers in the trades, there are long term social and economic benefits that you can obtain by coupling that with college experience

[@pandphilip9452]

Yes, a lot of loan debt.

[@Sebas-zd1cs]

@@pandphilip9452 for real

[@elgrigorio1]

Well, some fail out of college for whatever reason and some cannot afford college plus trade, nobody can take on so much debt. If you're going for a trade, which is totally different, then you don't need a degree from it.

[@trayballtv3844]

What if you don’t need it to succeed, in that case what’s the point

[@Mai-sx3yf]

College is not for everyone and that sort of thinking is why so many kids drop put. You can't force someone to want to go. Also I've been doing fine without college.

[@myman50grand]

"College isn't for me." I don't believe that. Everything is possible. Also- it's possible if you try. Most I hear didn't have a good time in school, so they were 'done' even before finishing. If they graduated at all. Many others claim $. There are many methods to help with that. One even told me nobody should ever have to go into debt for education, and that we need to push apprenticeships, rather than paid schooling. If done right, with the right guidance and discipline, higher education is for us all. Heck, try nearly any job without needing to continue learning..something. J/s