What do you think is the explanation when there is a difference between academic achievement and professional achievement?

[jennifer_bloom]

We used to have a family friend who graduated from the top school in China which rejects 5000x times more applicants than Harvard, and after he came to Canada he made minimum wage at most of his jobs or chose self employment where he also made less than middle class people. Two main reasons for this was that he could not speak English that well and did not have a lot of Canadian friends who could help him find jobs. In his 70s, he passed away from health problems which were in part due to an unhealthy way of living.

I know other guys who graduated from the same school that also struggled hard to earn money, one guy had decayed teeth which made me think he did not have health insurance or money for dental care. He chose to start his own business but underestimated how difficult running a business is in Canada, and it short changed him on his plan to acquire riches. 4 years after Covid set in, he and his family decided to retire their business, as it was too exhausting to maintain for somebody at their advanced age.

My female friend from school had a brother who was always bad at school but he managed a car sales lot and made big money managing the business, despite being poor in school many years before. This was partially luck cause when the old car lot owners wanted their lot back and stopped renting the business to him, he went over to another location where he went 3 months without a single sale due to bad location and limited lot reputation.

[Vevv123]

It strongly depends on the degree! Some careers don’t pay much, while others have limited job opportunities. Another thing to consider is that, as you mentioned, your uncle got his degree in China. If he were to use it in Canada, there might be additional certifications needed to meet local standards. However, it might still be a bit difficult to compete with other candidates who have degrees from Canadian institutions or who possess relevant local experience. Additionally, there’s the challenge of language barriers and the access to connections.

Your other example might be a good representation of the first point I mentioned. I don’t want to be negative, but degrees in fields such as fine arts, humanities, or certain social sciences can be particularly challenging in terms of job prospects and earning potential.

[AI Opinion]

The discrepancy between academic and professional achievement can stem from several factors. Adaptability is crucial; excellent students might face challenges when transitioning to new environments. Language barriers, cultural differences, and lack of local networks can hinder success even for top graduates. On the contrary, those who may not excel academically might possess strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, or business acumen, which are highly valued in the job market. Additionally, resilience and the ability to seize opportunities often outweigh academic success in determining professional achievement. Each individual's journey and circumstances greatly influence their career outcomes.