dEGREE OR SKILL
In today’s fast-changing world, the debate between the value of a degree versus the importance of skill has become more relevant than ever. Having personally pursued an MBA in Business Analytics, I can speak from experience when I say: skill outweighs a degree in most real-world scenarios. A degree might give you a title, but it’s your skills that define your success.
The Harsh Truth: A Degree Alone Isn’t Enough
Growing up, we were all told that getting a degree is the only way to succeed in life. Our parents and teachers repeated this advice like a mantra: “Study hard, get into a good college, and land a good job.” I followed that path, completed my MBA in Business Analytics, and waited for opportunities to come rolling in.
But the truth hit hard and fast.
Despite earning a master’s degree, I quickly realized that the job market didn’t just care about my academic qualifications. Employers were more interested in what I could do rather than what I had studied. Without practical experience and hands-on skills, the degree felt like a piece of paper that cost a lot of money and time but didn’t open many doors by itself.
Skills Are the Real Currency
What truly matters in any field—whether business, tech, art, or even sales—is skill. Skill means you can get the job done. Skill means you have the ability to solve real problems, handle real clients, and produce real results.
I’ve seen countless examples of people earning more than degree-holders without any formal education. Freelancers, digital marketers, coders, content creators, traders, and even self-taught analysts are making lakhs per month. Why? Because they bring value through skill, not just academic certificates.
In my own industry, there are people who haven’t done MBAs but are experts in Excel, Power BI, Python, data visualization, and business strategy. They’ve built their careers and businesses through practice, projects, and real-world exposure—things that no textbook can truly teach.
Degrees Teach Discipline, Not Practicality
hat said, I’m not here to completely dismiss the value of education. I believe studies have their own place in shaping who we are.
A degree might not give you immediate job-ready skills, but it teaches you discipline, structure, punctuality, and how to behave in public. College life gives you deadlines to meet, presentations to prepare, and teamwork experience. It creates a routine and helps develop interpersonal skills.
So yes, education contributes to personal development and social behavior. It teaches you how to speak, how to interact in groups, and how to present yourself professionally. These are not “hard skills,” but they are definitely valuable “soft skills.”
However, the problem begins when we start thinking that just because someone has a degree, they’re ready for the professional world. That’s a myth. Without practical exposure, internship experience, project-based learning, or some hands-on skills, a degree is not enough.
Real-Life Is the Best Teacher
Let’s take a moment to look at how things have changed in the last decade.
Earlier, companies used to hire based on degrees. Now they hire based on portfolios, GitHub accounts, demo projects, and skill assessments. The focus has shifted. Even big tech companies like Google, Apple, and Tesla have said they no longer require a college degree to hire candidates. They care more about what you can do than what you studied.
If you’re a digital marketer who knows how to drive sales, or a coder who can build a working app, or a designer who understands UI/UX—your work speaks louder than your resume.
What About Startups and Entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurs and business owners care even less about degrees. Why? Because they live in the world of results. If someone can build a brand, handle operations, run ad campaigns, or close sales, they are valuable.
Even many successful startup founders themselves don’t have fancy degrees. They learned by doing. They failed, they adapted, and they succeeded. Skill, persistence, and experience shaped them more than any syllabus could.
Should You Avoid Degrees Altogether?
I’m not saying you should skip college entirely. It depends on your goals.
If you want to be a doctor, engineer, or lawyer—yes, you need formal education. These are licensed professions. But if your dream lies in business, digital work, content creation, marketing, software development, or any field where you can showcase your talent online, then building practical skills should be your first priority.
Use your college years wisely. Don’t just study to pass exams—learn things that are useful in real life. Do internships. Work on side projects. Learn software tools. Build a portfolio. Attend workshops. Learn from YouTube, online courses, and mentors. The internet is full of free knowledge. Don’t waste it.
My Advice to the Young Generation
If you’re still studying or about to start your career, here’s my honest advice:
Don’t blindly chase degrees. Ask yourself: “What problem can I solve with this education?”
Start gaining experience early. Intern, volunteer, freelance, or even work for free if needed.
Focus on communication, punctuality, and professionalism. These are learned through education but must be practiced daily.
Stay updated with industry trends. Degrees get outdated. Skills evolve.
Keep learning. Even after you finish college, never stop upgrading yourself.
