In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the question of whether traditional degrees are sufficient to achieve success in business has become an increasingly debated topic. While formal education certainly provides a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, the reality is that business success often depends on a combination of factors that go beyond academic qualifications. Is education essential to our survival? Without education, knowledge, or none of these, we cannot survive or build our lives? The answers to these questions may vary from person to person. This is because people have different opinions. However, I believe that education is a powerful tool that a person has. Even if a person does not receive a school-level education, it is essential to have at least some social knowledge. No matter how much education we receive, we ultimately have to interact with society. Thus, the strength and basic qualifications needed to survive in society and succeed in life are acquired by obtaining a solid education.
University is often considered the gateway to a successful career. It not only provides students with a higher education, but also provides a solid foundation for the future. Earning a degree from a reputable institution allows individuals to gain basic academic understanding and technical skills relevant to their field. (Kaur, 2024) In addition to academic achievement, pursuing a degree encourages personal growth and development. Students gain valuable life skills such as time management, communication, and teamwork – qualities that are transferable to various aspects of professional and personal life. The structured learning environment encourages self-discipline and a commitment to continuous improvement, shaping individuals into well-rounded professionals who are able to adapt to a variety of challenges. Earning a degree can contribute to long-term career stability and financial security. Higher education levels are associated with lower unemployment rates, higher earning potential, and greater job satisfaction in their careers. Degrees provide a foundation for ongoing professional development and the ability to adapt to evolving job market demands, thereby increasing professional resilience.
Education is an essential tool for success in the society we live in, but what is education? Does it mean going to school or an institution? In a way, yes. People have been led to believe that not having a higher education is a disadvantage and that one cannot reach their true potential. Indeed, some fields, such as medicine and engineering, require a very high level of education. Similarly, other fields require a certain level of education within a certain range. However, the society we live in believes that obtaining a formal degree is the only real key to success. Technically speaking, we should use both if possible. That is, a formal education with experience and communication with people.
Is a degree enough for a career?
A common question people ask themselves when deciding whether or not to pursue a college degree is, “Can I be successful without a college degree?” Earning a degree takes a lot of time, effort, money, and dedication. It gives you skills and knowledge that you can hopefully use to land your dream job. But is it enough?
Mandy Watson, managing director of recruitment consultants Ambitions Personnel, spoke about whether a degree is enough to land a top job.
“Graduates can’t rely on their degree alone to land a position,” she explained. “This is especially true if the subject matter of the degree is not relevant to the job at hand. After all, there are some things that can’t be taught to you, they only come with day-to-day work experience.”
While work experience is incredibly important, having a degree can sometimes give your application an edge over other candidates. It can often be the deciding factor between two equally attractive candidates. “Certainly, if two applicants were on equal footing in terms of experience, a degree would definitely give an advantage in most hiring situations.”
Many of us feel pressured to earn a degree in order to have a respectable career and a successful income. In school, we are taught the basics of what is expected of us when we enter the workforce. But there is still uncertainty about whether or not our degree is enough to guarantee a successful career. There are many paths to success, but one of the surest ways to do it is to go to college and earn a degree. While this may be true in some cases, there are many talented professionals who have succeeded in their careers without degrees.
Stories of other successful business owners who didn’t earn their college degrees, such as Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, may give you the impression that a degree is not necessary for success. However, these experiences are not a rule that applies to everyone, so it’s worth considering carefully how to best set yourself up for your own career goals and a solid career (Chloe Lane, 2022).
Even if a candidate doesn’t have experience, a degree is a sign that a person has the ability to learn at a certain level, meet deadlines, make long-term commitments, and perform well under pressure. However, the key to success in one’s career is finding what they want and working hard for it. It’s important to remember that not everyone follows the same path in their career, and not every job requires a degree.
And besides experience, a degree is another key reason why a passion for the profession is needed to continue on a long journey of success. If someone can show that they are persistent, that they have worked on their skills, and that they have a desire to succeed early on, they will definitely stand out from the rest in a competitive job market. (RmLeigh, 2023) Whether a degree aligns with your career trajectory depends on several factors. Here are some highlights of the benefits and career impacts of a degree.
Increasing necessity of bachelor’s degrees: The evolving job market now frequently requires a bachelor’s degree for many positions.
Widespread job opportunities: Holding a bachelor’s degree opens up a broader array of job opportunities not accessible to those without one.
Preparation for specialized careers: Certain fields, particularly in technology, health, and education, often require the specific skills and knowledge a bachelor’s degree provides.
Economic stability: With a lower unemployment rate among bachelor’s degree holders compared to non-degree holders, the degree offers more economic stability.
Higher job satisfaction: Degree holders generally report higher job satisfaction and view their jobs as careers rather than just means to earn a paycheck.
Positive return on investment: Despite the costs associated with earning a degree, the majority of graduates view their education as a good investment.
The benefits of a college education
As mentioned above, the number of people with a bachelor’s degree or higher has increased significantly, making a degree a necessity rather than an option. Because of this, for many, earning a college degree is essential to their success in today’s job market. You should consider the benefits of earning a degree along with your personal educational goals and lifestyle choices when making this major decision.
- Increased access to job opportunities
Having a degree opens up lucrative opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible. For example, college graduates see 57% more job opportunities than non-graduates. A degree enables you to qualify for these additional opportunities and gives you more flexibility in where you choose to work. - Preparation for a specific career
As the world changes, the job market changes with it. Technology, education, and healthcare are three of the fastest-growing fields for good reason; they are constantly evolving and only the most talented people can do the job. Not all degrees provide a direct path to a specific job, and many are designed with a specific career path in mind. Earning a degree will help you learn the specific skills and habits needed to make a living in these fields. - Increased Marketability
On your way to earning a degree, you will gain skills that will give you a competitive advantage in the job market. Today’s employers are most interested in applicants with exceptional communication, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. In college, you will have access to rigorous coursework and experiential learning opportunities that will equip you with these skills to make you more attractive to employers. - Increased Earning Potential
Studies have shown that college graduates can expect their starting salaries to increase over time, giving them hope for their future earnings. The higher your level of education, the higher your salary can be expected to be. People with a bachelor’s degree have higher earning potential compared to those with a high school diploma and associate’s degree. - Personal Growth and Improved Self-Esteem
However, there’s more to it than just the paper; many students find the experience deeply and personally rewarding. In addition to gaining skills like effective communication, time management, and collaboration, there are opportunities to hone presentation skills and interact with professors and students who become part of your valuable professional network.
College graduates are also more likely to be involved in their communities. Compared to those without degrees, they are more likely to vote, volunteer, donate to charities, join community organizations, and participate in educational activities with their children.
Compared to the past, the number of graduates has increased rapidly today. Every year, a large number of graduates are produced and released into the job market through public and private universities and recognized higher education institutions in the public and private sectors across the country. However, it is questionable whether every graduate who enters the society from them has the ability to get a job. In the face of the current economic instability in the country, many institutions are not willing to give a chance to new employees because they are unable to recruit new employees and provide them with the relevant monthly salaries and allowances. They also see recruiting and training a new employee as an additional cost to the institution. So, in the face of such circumstances, the number of unemployed graduates in the country is increasing, which has created competition in the job market. However, it is a matter of regret that having a degree alone is not enough to get a job.
So, in order to get a job after completing school education and start a successful career, a professional level course, diploma or degree related to the job, as well as at least one, two or more years of professional experience, are essential qualifications. Unfortunately, most institutions give priority to work experience rather than educational qualifications, so most graduates have their dream of employment blurred. No matter how much higher education they have, people with lower educational qualifications than them, and sometimes who have not even completed school education properly, are engaged in high-level jobs because they have more professional experience than graduates.
There are many examples in society of famous people who do not have diplomas or degrees, but who use their will or their abilities to make fun of activities and small businesses that they do for fun and eventually develop into large-scale businesses with their own hard work and dedication. Some people, without any educational qualifications, get jobs in organizations as cleaners or office assistants and achieve professional competence in that particular job. Depending on the job experience and reliability gained by serving in organizations for a long time, they are sometimes able to get promoted to a fairly high-level position. This is not a common thing in every organization, but such job promotion opportunities can be seen in small businesses and organizations.
The issue of whether having a degree is essential for success can be analysed in various ways, and different people have different opinions on it. Since employment is also a fundamental factor in achieving success, having a degree for it is a strong foundation for it, and work experience is also an essential factor in achieving one’s professional competence and stabilizing one’s existence in the job market.
Reference
Chloe Lane. (2022). Is Having a Degree Enough to Land You a Top Job? Topuniversities.
RmLeigh. (2023). Is a degree necessary for success? Medium.
Shayna Joubert. (2020, January 9). 10 Benefits of Having a College Degree. NEU.
Tanroop Kaur. (2024). ARE DEGREES ENOUGH FOR SUCCESSFUL CAREER ? Truelancer.
