Graduate When Ready

College degrees should become conditional exit points rather than fixed‑date ceremonies: institutions would certify students the moment they demonstrate workplace readiness by measurable skills or initial employment, supported by continuous employer engagement and networked curricular design. That model replaces credit‑count clocks with competency and connection gates (e.g., employer‑verified portfolios, apprenticeships, or start‑up traction). — If adopted, it would reshape credential value, reduce the diploma ritual’s signaling power, and force universities to compete on placement networks and demonstrated capabilities rather than credit accumulation.