"A Woman With A Law Degree Sells Leather Skirts At A Shopping Mall"

Only a tiny fraction of graduates in Belarus work in their field of study.

In June, our country holds centralized entrance exams for admission to universities. But many high school graduates and their parents have doubts about the value of higher education in Belarus.

“No university in Belarus guarantees a high salary or a good job, except perhaps medical schools and, previously, BSUIR,” writes a user with the nickname kats_oh. “I don’t devalue higher education in the slightest, and I don’t think people shouldn’t get it— it’s certainly necessary—both for general knowledge and, especially, for boys so they don’t get drafted into the army—but in reality, it makes practically no difference which university you attend.”

Many users agreed with the post’s author. The website Charter97.org features some comments:
— Only a tiny percentage end up working in their field. I don’t know if any companies ask for degrees from a specific university. Prospective students and parents who want to attend a specific university and major in a specific field—why do you want to go there? To work in a specific place later? Or are there other reasons?
— I believe that higher education should be a privilege; not everyone needs it. Sometimes you end up with a girl with a law degree selling leather skirts in a shopping mall. What’s the point of that kind of education? I don’t want to offend anyone, but lately I’ve become convinced that higher education isn’t a ticket to a bright future.

— Most universities in Belarus are a waste of time. The world is evolving very quickly; completely different professions have been needed for a long time now, yet the curriculum at our universities hasn’t changed in decades. Then you have to go work somewhere—who knows where. Medical University students are basically in some kind of prison. It’s no wonder the government is now putting up roadblocks for those who want to study abroad.
— Many universities, especially those outside the capital and non-medical ones, are just shambles. The quality of teaching is below average; you can slack off and still get a degree without any trouble—the main thing is to show up at the university every now and then to keep up the appearance of studying. They’ll always give you a 4 on exams, even if you have to take them a second time. Getting in is easy, too.

— I’m all for higher education. But I believe that in Belarus, by and large, it doesn’t matter which university you attend; the main thing is to have some kind of degree. Because, as you correctly noted, higher education is required in practically all professions.
— In my case (foreign languages), only one person in the entire group works in their field; the situation is the same in other groups, and across all faculties.

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