Jim Guinn, II’s Post

I’ve always argued that meritocracy is one of the biggest lies perpetuated by many Western systems. I first encountered this in college, where I began to doubt my own brilliance because I struggled with low grades in my core engineering courses. I felt academically inferior to my white classmates, who all seemed to excel. Later, I discovered the real reason: they had access to resources I didn’t—past semesters graded and corrected exams, textbook editions with all the answers and work, and professors who were too lazy to update exams or homework questions. My classmates weren’t inherently smarter. Many of them didn’t fully understand the material; they simply had an unfair advantage. Once I joined their study groups and gained access to the same resources, my grades did a complete turnaround—and I even outperformed many of them. That was the moment I realized meritocracy was a lie. And that’s just in academia. I haven’t even touched on the lack of merit in the business world—or my experiences navigating the legal system. #AMERICA #DEI #merit

The growing skepticism toward Ivy League degrees reflects a troubling shift in priorities within our elite institutions. Once the gold standard of education, these universities are increasingly seen as more concerned with ideological conformity than fostering critical thinking or preparing students for real-world challenges. Recent examples show federal judges, business leaders, and even alumni questioning the value of these degrees due to grade inflation, diminished free speech, and misplaced focus on divisive campus politics. It’s a disservice to students who trust these institutions with their futures, only to find their credentials scrutinized for all the wrong reasons. This isn’t just about prestige—it’s about accountability. By catering to anti-American elements and prioritizing appeasement of foreign and divisive agendas, some university administrations risk eroding the long-term value of their students’ hard-earned degrees. It’s time for these institutions to refocus on what truly matters: cultivating the critical thinking, innovation, and integrity that have defined American education as a global benchmark. Let’s hope they course-correct before more students bear the brunt of their missteps.

Is an Ivy League education worth the investment in today’s world? In a recent article by Callum Borchers for The Wall Street Journal, the debate over Ivy League value is brought sharply into focus. For years, Ivy League degrees promised not just competitive salaries but also a lifetime of influential connections and respect. Yet with costs exceeding $200K, many are now questioning whether the prestige and opportunities justify the debt—and whether this exclusive path still aligns with today’s career landscape. With companies increasingly focused on skills and experience over pedigree, how does an Ivy League education stack up against other pathways? And for those of us from non-Ivy backgrounds, it prompts reflection: How has your own education shaped your career, and how does it compare to peers with Ivy credentials? At its core, this debate raises bigger questions about access and mobility. Do Ivy League institutions offer essential pathways to success, or do they reinforce long-standing social divides? Where do you stand? Read the full article on The Wall Street Journal to explore this evolving conversation: https://lnkd.in/gVunSrM3

"The Principle is competing against yourself. Its about self-Improvement, about being better than you were the day before". ~ Steve Young~ Happy to share this new venture in my life. The university of Chicago definitely has high expectations on its students. However, I am not afraid to take this big challenge because I know it will give me the best rewards. #businesswomen #latinas #mujeresexitosas #financialstrategy #universityofchicago #financialhelp #shamrocktradingcorp #rtsfinancial #truckingcompanies #chicagohispanicbusiness #illinoishispanicchamberofcommerce

Spending the day interviewing fascinating, thoughtful and bright candidates for IÉSEG School of Management’s Bachelor in International Busines. Let me tell you, the 'kids' are more than alright. I genuinely think those complaining about this generation are not spending enough time with actual young people. #education #businessschool #genz #business #generationz #bschools #ieseginsights

Check out this article in which Brenden and another Cal Poly graduate discuss their experience at their CFA Research Institute competition and how it helped propel them into a great start to their careers. https://lnkd.in/gYSH-JSA

Have you read this report from the NCSL Task Force on Higher Education? It presents a bold strategy to make college degrees more valuable and accessible. The report outlines actionable steps to tackle affordability, boost completion rates, and reduce unrepayable student debt. This is a crucial step towards ensuring every student can achieve their educational and career goals. Some great recommendations are included, and I hope they succeed in transforming higher education for the better. At WittKieffer, we're doing our part to recruit and support the impactful leaders who will advance these goals! #HigherEdLeadership #SkillsForTheFuture #WittKieffer

4 weeks out from the finish line at Liberty University! 🎓 As I approach the final stretch of my B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Business and Pre-Law, I’m definitely feeling the senior "itis." But more importantly, I’m learning that resilience is key to pushing through. This journey has been about much more than just earning a degree—it's been a lesson in determination, focus, and personal growth. These final weeks are a reminder that perseverance pays off, and I can’t wait to apply these lessons in the next chapter of my career. What helped you finish strong? #AlmostThere #LibertyUniversity #BusinessAndLaw #Resilience #GrowthMindset #BAJourney #Perseverance

What society expects: Finish your degree by your mid 20’s and start working.  What I’m doing: Pursuing a degree at the age of 40 while running 3 businesses. Most of us bind ourselves to societal expectations and unrealistic goals like “hitting $10M in revenue by the age of 25” or something similar. I never did this to myself. I always focused on exploring opportunities, and that’s why I’m pursuing the OPM program in Harvard Business School in my 40’s. Here’s how I silence the thoughts of “what people will think”: Step 1: Identify the "people" you fear judgment from. Give them names and faces. Realizing they are specific individuals, not an abstract, faceless crowd, will help you defuse the distorted fear. Step 2: For each person, ask yourself: "What's the worst that could realistically happen if I went against their expectations?" Weigh the potential consequences against living authentically. Step 3: Carefully evaluate whose opinions truly matter. Some people will always criticize you regardless. For those who don't genuinely support your well-being, silence their sway over your decisions. Live by your own convictions, not endlessly seeking approval from those who don't have your best interests at heart. The key is moving from an amorphous fear of "what people think" to realistically assessing whose opinions are valid and developing the courage to be true to yourself despite potential naysayers. The most liberating way to live is by your own values and judgments. Also, don’t set unrealistic benchmarks. Nothing’s worse than you not understanding your own dreams. If you stopped fearing people’s judgement what would you do? #societalexpectations