Expecting success against all odds

There is an early indication of a trend toward jobs returning to the US. There are many pros and cons of this possible trend, if indeed it is one. But a significant drawback, and one unlikely to be debated, is how mentally and emotionally unprepared the US workforce might be for these types of employment "opportunities". As examples illustrate, this lack of preparedness begins in high school. US high school students often predict they will turn in great performances in international mathematics competitions. Instead, they finish very much lower than their competitors, with scores that are average at best and often even below average.