Twenty-one-year-old Eyal Bloom had almost zero business experience and only a high-school diploma. Nothing on her résumé said she could lead a remote project team with members in the United States, India, and Africa. But by applying what she learned leading a small unit when in the military, Eyal has done just that in her role at San Francisco-based startup Praxie.com.
How Important Is a College Degree Compared to Experience?
Is getting a college degree outdated?
February 03, 2023
HBR Staff; DBenitostock/Getty Images
Summary.
The converging trends of a competitive labor market, ballooning university tuitions, new online learning alternatives, and fast-changing job roles has created a tipping point in the perceived value of college degrees. The percentage of jobs requiring a college degree fell from 51% in 2017 to 44% percent in 2021. And according to Gallup, the percentage of U.S. adults ages 18 to 29 who view college education as “very important” dropped from 74% to 41% in just six years. What does this mean for you?
- In today’s fast-changing world, a university degree isn’t the only road to success. In fact, data shows that only 25% of college graduates would choose to pursue the same educational path if they could do it again.
- On top of that, 41% say they would instead get a certificate that would instantly qualify them for an in-demand job.
- Whether you’re considering college, about to graduate, or already have your degree, many more options exist for finding success than ever before.
- Just be sure to give yourself practical experiences. That’s the key to continuous learning, and which can open the door to your next opportunity.