Because the Universities have an interest in the whole process. My kids got a University education, but overall it isn't worth it. Neither of them use their degree. Not saying don't go to college, but you really need to think it out. A Bachelors in Lesbian/Gay Studies, or any useless degree like this for example, doesn't have many career opportunities after graduation. Young folks leave school with so much student loan debt that something is going to have to give.

I started college, but quit. I've been lucky/smart in my career. I started out in the Army and moved to Federal LEO that didn't require a degree. During the 90's I took a buyout and shifted into IT.(Still don't have a degree) Went back into the Army in 2007 and left in 2009, broken. (BTW I have Post 9/11 GI Bill, and still don't go.) Was tired of IT and ironically thought I would drive a truck. As the NYT article stated, what a thankless job. People treat you as second class citizens and the pay was horrible. Back to IT where I make a very good living and live in a suburb working in that suburb. 20 minute commute most days. Yes housing is expensive, but I have a rural property that is my refuge. Yes if I lived there, I would be hard pressed to find work. The only grocery store is a Piggly Wiggly that can't be more than 10k square feet. There farthest parking space is as close as the disabled ones at WalMart, so you need to be content with limited restaurants and stores and you pretty much have to have a car. I see people walking here and there, but that isn't something many can do.

As side note, my rural county has only two permit requirements. Electrical and Septic. I can build a house out of Popsicle sticks and no one would say boo about it.

Some observations on human nature, based on first hand experience. This is anecdotal evidence, but I have family members, friends and neighbors that have worked in factories. During conversations with them about changes taking place in their workplaces I hear about how they don't like them. Most of these changes are technological in nature. Most, not all, of these folks are too lazy to learn a new machine or process. All they want to do is come home and watch TV and many cases drink and do it all over again the next day. Go to work run a machine and make quota, go home.

These folks are smart enough to learn, but just don't want to. My Grandpa was like this. He was content to go work and straighten drills all day, go home read the paper, watch the news and go to bed. He wasn't a drinker.

I would ask him if he got bored straightening drills all day and he would just shrug. I couldn't get my mind around doing something that boring all all day. This was the 1970's BTW.

Just my 2 cents.