Underestimated university alternatives

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University, the final boss of education, but is it? Is education over once one has achieved a university diploma and does everyone have to play the same education game. Unfortunately, the university still has a hard grip over our society, our opinions and over the employment market. Many students in Luxembourg are being told that University is the way to go to get a decent job and a respectable life, not getting the chance to consider other possibilities, even when there are much more than one might think.

Society’s view on these possible alternatives to university is reflected in Luxembourg's job market, especially in the Luxembourgish state. They seem to have trouble recognising professional traineeship (BTS and "formation professionnelle" (vocational training)) as a legitimate alternative to university, not accepting the "brevet de technicien supérieur" (BTS) as its own career and only granting a small bonus if BTS graduates work for the state. "It’s so close to a bachelor and yet you get only paid like you just finished secondary school with a little bonus, even though you have more know-how", Mary (name changed by the editor), a former BTS Media Writing student, tells Lëtzebuerger Journal. She is currently trying to get a bachelor’s degree to get a job at the state, "I can’t really apply because my application won’t be looked at, even if my profile matches with what they demand." According to her, it is much easier to get a job in the private sector where you can also find more diverse job opportunities.