[donw]

Then we need to build an entirely separate practical education track in the United States, similar to how things work in Germany. We could base it in community colleges to leverage existing mindshare and infrastructure.

I would actually love to see this, but haven't yet thought through in-depth how it would work in the US.

Because right now, nothing like this exists, and until it does, the primary focus of most university students is to indeed "get a job".

[thehardsphere]

You mean like trade school? I'm not familiar with the German system, but the description of "practical education track" sounds a lot like trade school. Of which there are many in the US but are considered undesireable in comparison to college.

[mtaksrud]

This.