It is unrealistic for students to assume that their college is “positioning” them for the job market. I see this a lot- “I graduated from Dartmouth- why should I have to hustle?”
Students need to position THEMSELVES. Taking the highest rigor they can handle in whatever discipline they are studying/majoring in. Not blowing off a professor’s offer to edit a journal article because it’s more important to plan the frat formal. Not missing deadlines for fellowship applications because the kid was in Cancun on Spring Break and the internet at the hotel died the day of the deadline. Making sure they’ve submitted their resume to career services and edited it based on the suggestions; taking advantage of the practice interviews and practice Zooms. Students need to hear “don’t wear jangly jewelry for a virtual interview- it’s distracting” or “It’s ok to wear grungy socks and sweatpants on a Zoom but your top needs to be professional-looking and you need to comb your hair.”
Etc. There are no downsides to rigor, especially if it means gaining access to academic and intellectual and artistic opportunities that go to the hard-worker/hustlers.
Agree that students who think they’re destined for Wall Street need to pivot and consider a much broader range of employment opportunities. But it won’t be Manhattan’s fault if a kid can’t launch.