A Conversation with Best-Selling Author Jeffrey Selingo
For a recent episode of the Path Found podcast, Monica sat down with Jeffrey Selingo, New York Times bestselling author and one of the most respected voices in higher education journalism. For a young podcast, this conversation was both a milestone and a thrill! Jeffrey’s thoughtful, generous approach to the conversation made it even more meaningful.
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Path Found is the podcast for anyone who’s ever asked, “What now?”
This show explores the real, messy, and inspiring journeys people take to find fulfilling work—and themselves. From pivots and side hustles to mentorship and major career changes, Path Found reveals what college never taught and counselors never said.
What if the idea of a “dream school” is shaping college decisions in all the wrong ways?
In this episode of Path Found, I sit down with New York Times' bestselling author and journalist Jeffrey Selingo to unpack how students and families navigate one of the most consequential and misunderstood decisions of their lives. Drawing from his books There Is Life After College, Who Gets In and Why, and Dream School, Jeffrey explains why we put too much pressure on picking majors early, how prestige and rankings distort choice, and why most careers are built through skills, adaptability, and relationships rather than linear paths.
We talk about the changing early‑career job market, the impact of AI, the importance of mentorship and belonging, and why many less‑selective institutions may actually prepare students better for the real world. This conversation is essential listening for students, parents, educators, and anyone questioning whether the traditional college narrative still serves today’s generation.
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Drawing from his books There Is Life After College, Who Gets In and Why, and Dream School, Jeffrey unpacks how students and families navigate one of the most consequential—and misunderstood—decisions of their lives. He explains why we place too much pressure on choosing majors too early, how rankings and prestige can distort good decision-making, and why most successful careers are built through skills, adaptability, and relationships rather than straight, linear paths.
“You have four years, more or less, to make the most of this experience in college…It’s about really engaging in the campus experience, not only in the classroom.”
The conversation also explores the realities of today’s early-career job market, the growing influence of AI, and the critical role mentorship and belonging play in long-term success. Jeffrey challenges the assumption that more selective always means better, offering a compelling case for why many less-selective institutions may actually do a stronger job preparing students for life after graduation.
This episode is essential listening for students, parents, educators, and anyone questioning whether the traditional college narrative still serves today’s generation—or whether it’s time to rethink what “success” really looks like.
Real stories of pivots, side quests, and scenic routes that inspire new possibilities. New episodes drop every Thursday.
