📌 Here’s what you’ll learn in today’s issue:

• Why college is no longer the guaranteed path to success—and what’s replacing it
  

• Which degrees still matter (and which ones don’t) in an AI-powered job market
  

• A simple action plan to help your child choose the smartest next step after high school
  

• How a six-figure software engineer lost his job to AI—and ended up living in a trailer

🧠 The Big Idea: Is College Still Worth It In the Age of AI?

College has been the gateway to a good-paying job and a secure future for decades.

But in the era of AI, that's no longer a given.

Today, many of the lower-level jobs that previously propelled young adults into the workforce—customer service, data analysis, and straightforward copywriting—are being automated. 

And this is making parents and students confront a sobering question:

Is college still worth the time, money, and effort?

AI Is Revolutionizing the Value of a Degree

Artificial intelligence is changing the employment landscape—and fast.

A report from investment bank Jefferies says AI is having the greatest effect on entry-level white-collar jobs. 

Professions that were once "stepping stones" for entering a career are disappearing, or being done by chatbots and programs instead of humans.

And students are listening. According to a recent ResumeBuilder survey, 42% of Gen Z college graduates think their degrees are worth less because of AI.

Meanwhile, more and more companies are quietly eliminating their degree requirements. Major employers like Google, IBM, and Delta Airlines now hire based on “skills, not diplomas.”

Harvard Business Review research found that "degree inflation" is reversing—employers care less about where someone went to school than if they can get the job done.

College Still Matters—But Only for Some Paths

In short, college is not going away. In fact, it's still vital to most professions.

If your child wishes to grow up to be a doctor, nurse, teacher, engineer, or lawyer, there is no getting around it: they need a degree, and often a higher one. 

These types of professions involve licensure and specialized knowledge that only college can provide.

But for others like marketing, tech, design, and even some business careers, the situation varies. 

Managers in these industries are more open to accepting applicants who have completed brief, specialized training—especially if they have created a real-world portfolio of projects.

More and more tech CEOs agree. CEO of Google DeepMind, Demis Hassabis, recently implored young adults to study "complementary to AI"—most notably STEM subjects, human-centered design, and ethics.

The Cost vs. ROI Issue

Obviously, one of the biggest issues with college today is the price tag.

The average price of a 4-year degree in the United States, based on EducationData.org, is $104,108 for public schools and $223,360 for private institutions. 

And that doesn’t even include interest on student loans, which may go on for decades.

But a Strada Education study found that only 1 out of every 3 college grads feels their degree was worth the cost.

Why? 

Some say they weren't given hands-on training. Others entered low-paying or low-opportunity jobs.

The return on attending college is now more dependent on what your child majors in—and how fast the labor market is changing in relation to it.

What This Means for Parents

College is no longer the default path it once was.

Yes, it still is for many careers. 

But it's no longer the only—or even optimal—way to prepare oneself for the future.

In fact, some of the most future-proof skills your child can learn right now are being learned outside of the classroom—through online tutorials, apprenticeships, and AI software.

The world your child will be living in is changing. The key is to allow them to see all their options—and make smart choices.

Oh, and we haven’t even covered the possibility of learning a trade, but we will in future issues.

Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about them.

💬 Future Proof Parent ACTION Plan

Let's be clear right off the bat:

We're not saying "Don't go to college."

College can still be an incredible path—especially for careers that require intense, technical expertise.

But we are saying something just as important:

It's no longer the only option.

In the AI era, the path to success is quite different from even a mere five years ago. And as parents, the one thing we can do is investigate all the avenues open to us—so our children aren't entering the future blind.

This isn't about fear.

It's about freedom.

That being written, here's how Future Proof Parents are navigating their kids through this new world:

✅ 1. Shift the Conversation

Ask your child WHY they want to go to college. Is it for a job? Socialization? Because they're supposed to? The plan is to help them make an informed, intentional choice—not just tradition.

✅ 2. Compare ROI

Use tools like College Scorecard to examine real data on graduation, debt, and employment rates. Then weigh it against the price of alternatives like coding bootcamps, apprenticeships, or Google Career Certificates.

✅ 3. Put Skill-Building First

Whatever they pursue, make sure your child is building real-world skills—AI literacy, communication, project management, and creativity are more important than ever.

✅ 4. Normalize "Non-Linear" Paths

The future won’t follow just one path. Help your child see that changing directions, earning multiple credentials, or blending different types of education isn’t strange—it’s smart.

Because in the era of AI, it's not about playing the old playbook.

It's about writing their own.

🐝 What’s Buzzing for Mom & Dad Today

Big shifts are happening fast: from AI stepping into the co-parenting role to real concerns about how it's shaping our kids' creativity. Here’s what Future Proof Parents are digging into right now:

🚪Laid Off by AI—and Now Living in an RV

A former six-figure software engineer was replaced by AI and now delivers DoorDash while living in a trailer. After sending out 800+ job applications, he's still struggling to get rehired.
It’s a cautionary tale—and a chance to talk with your teen about building skills that AI can’t replace.
👉 Read now

🎬 Ummm, We’re Going to Need Guardrails for AI-Generated Video

A viral thread is urging creators to apply the same content warnings to AI video that we use for manipulated images—like deep fakes.
This opens up a great conversation about media literacy: Can your child tell the difference between what’s real and what’s AI? Can YOU?
👉 Read now

🦘An Emotional Support… Kangaroo?

Speaking of AI generated videos…one of the most recently shared AI videos features a surprisingly touching scene between a kangaroo and a child. Totally fake. Totally viral.
As AI-generated content goes mainstream, moments like this show how easy it is to feel something real—even when it’s not.
👉 Watch the clip

Working together to future-proof the next generation!

AIVA (Artificial Intelligence. Very Aware.)
Your friendly guide to the AI era