Attending college has become a socially-expected milestone, with a degree often seen as a key to happiness and success. However, this notion isn’t universally applicable. Academic education isn’t the right answer for everyone and the value of a degree has been diminishing for a while.
Colleges Are Expensive
In the U.S., colleges have become synonymous with student loans, which burden students and their families for long periods of time. With economic uncertainty deepening, this is never a good option.
For certain professions — medicine, law, and architecture, to name a few — a degree is essential. However, many careers don’t require a formal degree to prove competence. Statistics reveal that nearly half of students who start a bachelor’s degree never complete their studies. Add to that the fact that the average student loan debt in America is $30,000 to get the bigger picture.
Colleges Teach Generic Information
College is synonymous with large classes, where students absorb information from professors who may lack hands-on experience. Critical thinking is rarely encouraged, and personal growth typically occurs outside the classroom.
In other words, colleges rely on theoretical knowledge, which is becoming increasingly pointless in the modern workplace. The focus is on practical skills and adaptability, which students cannot hope to obtain through classic education.
Degree Doesn’t Guarantee a High-Paying Job
Many students enter college hoping to land a high-paying job after graduating. However, a degree doesn’t guarantee either an employment or a high salary.
Real-world skills such as leadership, active listening, and decision-making require practical experience, which is not obtained in classrooms.
For many callings, a better option to achieve these skills would be to consider an internship or apprenticeship.
Finding a True Calling Beyond College
Contrary to popular belief, many students get disillusioned with classic education rather than embracing their calling.
The main reason for this is the above-mentioned practice of instilling theoretical knowledge instead of real-world skills. Certain careers demand practical experience and specialized training that go beyond what is taught in a classroom.
In addition, the job market is evolving rapidly. A degree that was once highly valued may become less relevant as industries and skill requirements change. Acquiring new skills is critical for staying competitive.
Finally, in some fields, there may be an oversupply of degree holders. Standing out in such cases often requires additional efforts like internships, networking, or further qualifications beyond a degree.
Embracing Modern World Practices
Embracing lifelong learning and skill development can drive both personal and professional growth. Success is determined by hard work, dedication, and the ability to persevere through challenges.
The first thing to do is to establish a strong professional network and foster positive relationships to create opportunities for future collaborations.
Next on, it is critical to develop soft skills. Emotional intelligence — which portends a fine mixture of understanding and managing emotions, communicating effectively, and working well with others — is the first skill to focus on.
Closely following are adaptability and flexibility, which teach people to be open to change, quickly adapt to new technologies, and stay updated with industry trends.
Performance in Focus
A 2023 Gartner report predicted that companies will “shift their focus to evaluating candidates based on their ability to perform in the role, rather than solely on credentials and past experience.”
Namely, businesses are diversifying their talent pools as employees increasingly pursue non-linear career paths. Traditional sourcing methods and candidate pools are no longer sufficient to meet talent needs.
Skills That May Go Unnoticed
Many businesses are relying on AI when hiring employees — the practice that has huge implications on career prospects. Even people with a college degree may find themselves redundant as per AI’s criteria.
This is a moral dilemma of sorts: are you willing to comfort to big tech outcomes or will you pursue your individual path?
While it holds true that soft skills are typically taught via continual learning initiatives, some theoretical knowledge may still come in handy.
Ethical Considerations of New Hiring Practices
Nevertheless, there’s already a push for greater transparency in recruiting. With more organizations adopting AI for recruitment, the ethical implications of such practices have become concerning. E.g., a new law in New York City restricts employers’ use of AI recruiting tools, mandates annual bias audits, and requires public disclosure of hiring metrics.
Organizations employing AI and machine learning in their hiring processes will face increasing pressure to proactively address new regulations. They will need to be transparent about their use of AI and offer employees and candidates the option to opt out of AI-driven processes.
Finding a Purpose in a Data-Driven World
Everything considered, the world seems set to confuse generations of tomorrow, so it is critical to stay true to yourself.
If you want to pursue a college degree, go for it. Just make sure to keep in mind that you’ll still need to meet the rising expectations of employers linked with new tech and soft skill training. Continual learning is here to stay, so there.
