What matters more skills or degrees?
It is a very big debate: which matters more, degree or skill? Both have pros and cons. Let’s have a complete detailed analysis of degrees and skills.
From childhood, everybody tells you to get good marks so you can earn a degree, and then you might be able to get a good job, right? That’s the common belief. But when you grow older, you realize that many people with degrees are jobless. A new word people emphasize is the importance of skill. They claim that skills matter the most, while a degree is just a piece of paper.
Now this confuses you—should you concentrate on getting a degree or building a skill? Here I will explain the advantages and disadvantages of both, as well as a guide to secure your future.
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of Degree in an Organization
The first impression of your CV is your degree. Many organizations demand highly qualified people and agree to pay them more because they believe in the knowledge and skills that come with the degree.
Moreover, when a company issues a hiring notice, they clearly mention a specific degree. This makes it easier for both the employee and organization to interact, as both will get what they expect.
The more valuable your degree, the more valuable and high-paying job you can get. Without a degree, you might only get a low-paying job or no job at all. But remember: a degree is not a guarantee of a job. There is a lot of competition.
Think of your own class—how many students are there? Now consider your country—millions of students are studying for the same degree you are. Will you be able to secure a job out of all of them? Companies usually select those with the highest marks and experience. If you get a job with lower marks, that might be luck.
Also, organizations don’t only expect a paper degree. In their view, a degree represents knowledge and capability. If you cannot perform properly, do you think they will keep you just because of your degree? No, they won’t. They will fire or demote you.
That is why first you must learn the work—what we call skill. A degree will get you an entry, but to go far, you need skill.
Impact of Skill in an Organization
Skill is something that is shown at the time of work. It is often hidden and not visible on paper. Most organizations only see the “front view” through CVs and job applications. How can they identify that you are skilled? Usually, they just look at qualifications, and sometimes experience.
That is why organizations invite people with the best CVs and then choose from them. But once you are in, your skill is what strengthens your position. Skilled people often get more chances for promotions and growth.
If you are lucky and an organization discovers your talent, they will value you. There will be fewer chances of being fired because you are useful. If you fulfill their expectations, you may even receive higher salaries.
But remember, jobs don’t come to your door—you have to go after them. Without the first impression (degree/qualification), it is very hard to even enter the competition. You cannot jump to the second step (skills) without completing the first step (degree). This is the relation between degree and skill.
Impact of Degree on Business
Is a degree enough to make you capable of running your own business? The answer is no. Most of what you learn during your qualification is theoretical, not practical. There is a big difference between understanding something and actually doing it.
A degree might satisfy your customers because they see you as an educated person. But will you be able to give them the service they expect?
For example, let’s say you are a doctor with a PhD qualification. Outside your clinic, there is a big board with your degree written on it. Obviously, customers will be attracted. But if you are not skillful, you won’t satisfy them. As a result, they won’t come back. Remember, one annoyed customer can damage your reputation among many others.
So, if you want to run your own business, you must be skillful.
Impact of Skill on Business
Skills play a major role in running a business. Skillful people are highly successful in expanding their businesses. You don’t necessarily need a qualification to start a business. If you are talented and can fulfill customer expectations, you can succeed.
However, not having a qualification can affect you in some fields like medicine or engineering. For clarity, let’s return to the doctor example. Imagine you are skilled but not qualified, and you open a clinic. People may not trust you, and they might even consider you a fake doctor.
Remember, for 80% of customers, the first impression is the last impression. If someone comes to you once and is satisfied, then you have a chance to grow.
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Degree vs Skill – Comparison Table
| Degree | Skill |
|---|---|
| Helps to get a job in organizations | Difficult to get a job in organizations |
| Lack of job security if no skills | If you get a job, less chance of being fired due to skill importance |
| More chances of growth depending on performance and company policies | Growth opportunities highly depend on the boss recognizing your skills |
| Degree is useless if there is a lack of jobs | Skills are very useful in times of unemployment |
| Degree alone can’t help to run your own business | Skills can be highly beneficial for running your own business |
| Increases authority and trust due to certification | Lacks authority and trust without formal proof or certificates |
| Limited success depending on the organization | No limit for success if you use your skills in the right way |
How to Keep a Balance Between Degree and Skill
Method 1: Complete your qualification, and during your course, do a part-time job or side hustle relevant to your degree. This way, you not only earn your degree but also master practical skills.
Method 2: If you don’t want to complete a full qualification because it takes years, then become highly skilled in a specific field. Work on projects to prove your ability. For example, even without a computer engineering degree, if you successfully build software, companies may hire you for projects.
Method 3: If you already have skills but no degree, and you don’t want to spend years getting one, then do short courses from well-known institutes. These centers provide certificates that are valuable and can be completed within 6 months.
Which is more important skill or degree?
Both are important for success in life. They are interconnected, and both are in demand depending on the company or career path.
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A degree has advantages in getting into organizations or jobs.
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Skills have advantages in running your own business.
Final Answer:
Skills overlap degrees in both conditions. In the end, skills matter more than degrees.
Tell me about your opinion in the comments.
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