[vkk8]

Assuming the only purpose of universities is to serve the job market. I'd argue that the primary function of the university system is to transfer the collective human knowledge forward. The fact that some of it is sometimes needed in jobs is a secondary effect.

But you're right that there should be schools that teach the practical programming skills. But it's the the trade schools that should be developed towards this goal, not universities.

[re-thc]

University aim to serve the education market i.e. people that want to learn or assume they can get a job afterwards. They don't serve the employers or those that are looking to hire.

Lots of degrees have no pathway to a job or career.

[reillyse]

There is a huge divide between Europe and the US on this front. Because degrees are so expensive in the US the expectation is that you are going to pay for that with the shiny job you get as a result of the degree.

In Europe where third level is far cheaper, it's more looked upon as continuing education. The way in the US people look at high school. Sure you'd like to get a job after, but it's really just a stepping stone to your career and not a huge financial investment that needs to be repayed.