Prince Harry, famously known for his less-than-stellar academic performance at Eton College, where he earned a D in A-level Geography and a B in Art, has embarked on a new venture that is bound to raise eyebrows.
Instead of pursuing a traditional university education, Harry chose to attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He has often claimed that he has no regrets about his educational journey, yet his latest career move might prompt further scrutiny of his qualifications. In a decision that many find both baffling and amusing, Harry has assumed the role of Chief Impact Officer at BetterUp, a Silicon Valley-based mental health firm.
Since his appointment in March 2021, reportedly with a salary exceeding one million dollars, he has been an advocate for preventative mental fitness. Now, the company is expanding into new territory by launching an online academic institution known as BetterUp University. This initiative aims to offer degrees in life coaching through its newly patented programs. According to the application, BetterUp University will provide online educational forums in life coaching, professional coaching, personal development coaching, and career development coaching.
Harry's involvement in this project naturally raises questions, particularly given his own academic background. The idea that someone who struggled academically is now overseeing a life coaching university is, at the very least, ironic. After all, it’s not every day you encounter someone who barely passed A-levels now trying to educate others about life success. The irony doesn't end there; despite his high-profile role at BetterUp, Harry has faced criticism for not participating in one of their free online live streams at a San Francisco summit earlier this year. Instead, he was seen attending an exclusive event titled "Beyond Burnout: Transforming C-Level Stress into Strength," where tickets reportedly cost $1,200. This begs the question: is Harry's approach to addressing burnout more about spending lavishly on high-priced events than engaging with the free resources his company offers?
The idea of BetterUp University’s curriculum is almost comical. What could the majors include? Perhaps courses like "Advanced Grifting," "Word Salad 101," or even "Gold Digging and Gaslighting." And let’s not forget "How to Be the Biggest Narcissistic Hypocrite and Perpetual Victimhood." If only there were a course on how to flunk out of Eton and get a teacher fired for good measure. For those curious about the practicality of such a degree, there’s a catch—California doesn't require life coaches to have certification to practice. Essentially, BetterUp University might just be another overpriced program designed to capitalize on people's desperation.
The existence of this university could very well be a classic example of the sunk cost fallacy, where students invest time and money into a program only to find themselves trapped in jobs with poor pay or stuck in a cycle of endless recertification and additional seminars. This venture reeks of a money grab, and BetterUp's reputation isn't helping matters. Reports on platforms like Glassdoor reveal staff dissatisfaction, painting a picture of a company that might not be the best place to stake your future. With Harry’s involvement, the entire setup seems like a perfect storm of questionable judgment and opportunism.
So, who would look to Prince Harry for life coaching advice? Probably those desperate for direction, despite Harry's less-than-inspirational track record. If his life and career choices are anything to go by, prospective students might want to think twice before enrolling. After all, it’s difficult to take advice from someone better known for royal blunders and a privileged lifestyle than for any significant academic or professional achievements.
