Why I Wrote a Book Titled Dump Your Degree

Since releasing my book, I have had time to reflect on the experience. Did I do the right thing as an educator, advising students and graduates to "dump your degree"? After all, one of the most frequent questions I received was: How can you, someone with a PhD, tell people not to get one?

That question elicited a few thoughts, one of which was: shouldn’t the person who has gone through the experience of whatever advice they are giving be the best person to give it? Would that advice be better received by others had I not had a degree at all? I imagine people might then think I was a bitter college dropout or someone who didn’t have the ability to pursue higher education in the first place.

My second reflection was on how the title of the book seemed to overshadow the subtitle, which provides an overall description of what the book is about: helping others repurpose their education, control their career, and gain financial freedom. While I can’t be too surprised by this overshadowing—humans have evolved to base judgments off of perceptions—it still felt as if some readers were missing the point. The book’s purpose is to guide individuals with degrees that feel unaligned with their goals in leveraging their educational skills to forge new, meaningful career paths.

Admittedly, the title was purposefully chosen to grab attention. I learned in a book marketing course that a title must capture interest, while the subtitle seals the deal.

So, after two years and reflection on how things have gone, do I regret the title or the information presented in the book? Short answer: no. I sincerely believe, now more than ever, that students and parents must be fully aware of the risks that come with higher education. Yes, there are several benefits, but not all degrees are valued the same.

A college degree alone doesn’t guarantee a successful career, and with student loan debt and oversaturated markets, one must consider the return on investment of the degree they are pursuing. Additionally, in the event they want to change careers, they need to know the options available with the level of education they’ve already acquired.

When you’re a teenager, you often have lofty aspirations in a particular career field. But in reality, most people don’t know what they want at that age. That is the time for exploration, not the time to have it all figured out. Spending thousands of dollars and getting into debt to explore is not the best way to start life for most people. However, with the skills you acquire—whether in college or through other means—along with building a network of people to help you grow and being responsible with your time and money, you can set a solid foundation for your future. That is the core message of Dump Your Degree.

I hope that students and recent graduates realize that their life and career journeys will take many twists and turns, and that along the way, they will have to adjust and build the resilience to shape their paths. Whether the way ahead involves treading a path that doesn’t require a degree, becoming entrepreneurs or creatives, or pursuing higher education to the fullest extent, you are never stuck. Mindset is key, and everything you need can be acquired.

To purchase Dump Your Degree click here.