Very thought-provoking post, Dr.  Like it a lot. 

University is now thought to be a "job mill."  Barring the "professions" (medical, legal, business mgement), that was not the case in the mid-60s. I knew that then. I needed a good job. Yeah, I was literate, but was also practical enough to seek out the path of least resistance. It didn't lead through the university campus. Today, there are even MORE educational options out there than when I was choosing my educational path.

No excuse today except...the pressure to conform (and do what parents want)--pretty ironic in this age of choice and "be true to yourself", eh?