My theory is that the folks at the tops of those fields, the researchers, the authors, the college professors, all know the number of jobs out there are slim, so they’ve created this elaborate system of internships, entry-level jobs, etc. In archaeology it’s almost seen as a badge of honor that you spend 4-5 years after your BA making $8/hr as a field tech, working two or three jobs and rooming with 3 other people to make rent. Then you either get burned out like I did or you get a Master’s and they have to pay you a bit more.

The other way they have limited access to those top jobs is by raising the bar on educational level. In some fields even a Master’s is starting to seem like not enough.

A very large portion of people in college are attending community colleges, where they’re getting taught primarily the things that they might have learned if they attended a better high school or focused more while at the one they did attend. If we did it right the first time around, it would save a lot of time and money for everyone.