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Elon Musk expressed his respect for those involved in hands-on professions such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters.
Elon Musk said that college degrees are ‘overrated’.
Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and a prominent American entrepreneur, recently shared his thoughts on what he perceives as the overvaluation of college education. He posted a video on the social media platform X, in which he discusses the relevance of traditional education. This footage was taken at a rally in Philadelphia. During the event, Musk pointed out that many college students end up in long-term debt without gaining the necessary skills for the workforce.
In the rally, Musk expressed his respect for those involved in hands-on professions, such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters, highlighting their importance over subjects like political science. He went on to claim that success doesn’t always require a four-year college degree. “I think we should not have this idea that to be successful you need a four-year college degree. That is simply not true,” he said.
🚨ELON MUSK: “I think the value of a college education is somewhat overweighted. Too many people spend four years, accumulate a ton of debt and often don’t have useful skills that they can apply afterwards. I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we… pic.twitter.com/rGmxj4S3xC
— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) October 20, 2024
While Musk argues that college degrees are overrated, it’s worth noting that he holds two bachelor’s degrees- one in Physics and the other in Economics. He completed his undergraduate studies at Queen’s University and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Although Musk started a PhD programme at Stanford University, he left after just two days to pursue other ventures.
Elon Musk has voiced similar opinions about higher education in the past. In 2020, he stated that attending college is not essential for gaining knowledge, as information is freely accessible. He argued that the main purpose of college is to teach discipline through assignments and to help students develop social skills before entering the workforce. According to Musk, college serves more as a place for enjoyment and a way to prove one’s ability to handle job responsibilities, rather than as a true centre for learning.
Musk is not alone among tech leaders in challenging the traditional value placed on higher education. In an interview with artist Dua Lipa, Apple CEO Tim Cook shared his perspective, stating that a degree is not a requirement for employment at Apple. Cook stressed that the company prioritises skills and experience over formal academic qualifications, reinforcing its commitment to hiring individuals from varied backgrounds. This reflects a growing trend among tech companies to focus more on practical abilities than on conventional educational credentials.
