Prince Harry, who left Eton College with less-than-stellar grades in geography and art, is embarking on a new academic venture that is sure to raise eyebrows. Instead of pursuing a traditional university education, he joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Harry has claimed to have no regrets about his educational journey, but his latest move might make us question his qualifications even more.
In a development that's both baffling and amusing, Harry has taken on the role of Chief Impact Officer at BetterUp, a Silicon Valley-based mental health firm. Since his appointment in March 2021, which reportedly comes with a salary exceeding a million dollars, Harry has been a strong advocate for preventive mental fitness. However, the company is now venturing into new territory with the launch of BetterUp University. This online academic institution will offer degrees in life coaching through its newly patented platform. The university aims to provide education in life coaching, professional coaching, personal development coaching, and career development coaching.
Harry's involvement in this project raises some questions given his own academic track record. It's somewhat ironic that the person overseeing a life coaching university struggled academically himself. After all, it's not every day that someone with barely passing A-levels is now trying to teach others about life success.
The irony doesn't stop there. Despite his high-profile role at BetterUp, Harry has faced criticism for missing one of their free online live streams at a San Francisco Summit earlier this year. Instead, he was seen at an expensive event called Beyond Burnout, which focused on transforming stress into strength and had tickets priced at $1,200. It raises the question: does Harry's approach to addressing burnout involve spending lavishly on pricey events rather than engaging with the free resources his company offers?
It's almost comical to speculate about the upcoming BetterUp University's curriculum. What might the majors include? Perhaps Advanced Grifting, Word Salad 101, or even Gold Digging and Gaslighting. And let's not forget a course on being the biggest narcissistic hypocrite and perpetually playing the victim. If only they had a course on flunking out of Eton and getting a teacher fired for good measure.
For those curious about the practicalities of such a degree, there’s a catch: California does not require life coaches to have certification to practice. This means BetterUp University might just be another overpriced program designed to capitalize on people's desperation. The university's existence could very well be a classic example of the sunk cost fallacy, where students invest time and money only to find themselves stuck in poorly paying jobs or trapped in a cycle of over-certification and additional seminars.
This venture appears to be a money grab, and BetterUp's reputation isn’t helping. Reports on Glassdoor and similar platforms reveal staff dissatisfaction, painting a picture of a company that may not be the best place to invest your future. With Harry's involvement, the setup seems like a perfect storm of questionable judgment and opportunism.
So, who will look to Prince Harry for life coaching advice? Probably those desperate for direction despite his own less-than-inspirational track record. If his life and career choices are any indication, prospective students might want to think twice before signing up. After all, it's hard to take advice from someone better known for royal blunders and a privileged lifestyle than for any significant academic or professional achievements.
