Workers in contemporary American society are expected to pursue a general education through high school. They should then choose a major and enter the workforce based on merit alone, without consideration of attributes like race, gender, or family background. While this system aims to provide equal opportunity, it can leave some people behind if they do not succeed, labeling them as "losers." Overall the system tries to give everyone a fair chance at career success through education, merit-based hiring, and advancement, but it may not create a perfect utopia.