Smart graduates from elite universities are making choices that might be holding them back. Renowned historian and author Rutger Bregman has raised eyebrows with his bold assertion that many graduates are squandering their potential by pursuing careers in consulting and finance. In doing so, they often take jobs that he describes as “socially useless.”
The Misallocation of Talent
Bregman asserts, “It’s an extraordinary waste of talent.” He questions why top-tier institutions, which consistently recruit the best minds, don’t showcase booths focused on pressing global issues such as combating pandemics, eradicating malaria, or obliterating extreme poverty during career fairs. Instead, they highlight industry giants like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey.
“What the hell is going on here?” he exclaimed in an interview with Business Insider. This sentiment resonates with graduates who feel their roles lack substance and impact.
An Unfulfilling Path
Bregman’s latest book, “Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference,” argues that a significant number of young professionals enter careers that don’t align with their values. While many of these graduates genuinely want to contribute positively to society, they often find themselves in fields that do not fulfill this desire.
“Many even realize this before making their decision but don’t know what else to do,” he notes. The irony is, despite their good intentions, many get trapped in what Bregman describes as a “Bermuda Triangle of talent.”
Spiritual Disconnection
Throughout Bregman’s career, he has effectively highlighted how some of the highest-paying jobs are often the most damaging to society. While he concedes that not all consultants and bankers fit this mold, he emphasizes the opportunity cost of having a surplus of talent in these sectors. “It’s not all totally destructive,” he explains, “but compared to what these people could accomplish, the opportunity costs are massive.”
He reflects on a troubling truth: “Many of these kids are spiritually a little bit lost.” They seek validation in prestigious roles offered by companies like McKinsey, believing it will provide them with direction and purpose.
Pinning Down the Causes
Bregman argues that these career choices often stem from an educational trajectory that has conditioned these graduates to continually seek external validation rather than intrinsic satisfaction. “It’s a way of postponing the real decisions,” he describes. The allure of graduate programs and prestigious firms simply prolongs the inevitable—ultimately leading to dissatisfaction.
The Need for a New Framework
If the current landscape feels merely transactional, Bregman argues for a revolution in how we perceive work and ambition. “Many of these kids just want to play in the Champions League,” he states, stressing that we need similar, high-level opportunities for those who aspire to make a difference.
He suggests a pathway that prioritizes moral ambition—an invitation to tackle pressing global challenges like climate change and renouncing poverty. “It’s not about following your passion, but figuring out where your impact can be greatest.”
The Role of Community in Moral Ambition
Bregman co-founded the School for Moral Ambition aimed at propelling individuals into impactful careers. “We want to help as many people as possible devote their lives to the pressing issues we face,” he explains. In doing so, he draws a poignant analogy to literature: “When studying the moral pioneers of the past, they often became good people because they responded to challenges, not vice versa.”
Using an imaginative reference from “The Lord of the Rings,” he says, “Frodo wasn’t initially passionate about embarking on a perilous journey—it was Gandalf’s call to adventure that transformed him.” This narrative emphasizes the need for guidance and mentorship in navigating a chaotic world.
Conclusion: Cultivating Ambition with Purpose
For those feeling stagnant in their careers, Bregman playfully suggests starting their own “cult” of ambitious idealists. Surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals can generate the energy necessary to tackle life’s challenges. After all, “Ambition is merely energy; what matters is how it’s harnessed.”
In a world fraught with cynicism, Bregman’s message urges graduates to seek out their own “Gandalf”—a mentor who can provide direction and inspire them to pivot toward a path that truly reflects their values and ambitions.
