Experience versus Tertiary Education

by Bushteens

As the job requirements get tougher, do you dive right into an entry-level job, or invest in a college degree? By and large, this decision is driven by one’s economic situation.

The College Degree:
There was a time when matric (high school diploma) was enough to get a job that involved basic tasks. Many large companies did, and still do operate their own internal training. These development programmes are for high school graduates. As a result many young people enjoy long successful careers usually working for their respective companies for their entire careers.

Recent changes in the global market have stopped such traditions, and very few people only work for one or two companies throughout their careers. Most people enter the a job market will change their career paths at least seven times before they retire. With workers jumping ship more frequently, few companies can afford to invest more heavily in employee development. More employers rely on job seekers to develop skills prior to their joining the company. As a result the demand for workers with a college degree has sky rocketed in the past few decades.

Getting the Career Training You need:
When you pursue specific career opportunities the requirements for entry level positions are more complex. There are two year diploma programmes which provide job seekers with critical skills in areas like nursing , technology or business. Many jobs requires interaction with customers and clients, thereby a Bachelor’s degree is often a necessity. These provide broad cultural knowledge that enables employees to relate to clients and colleagues.

Work Experience:
A full time job can prepare you for the real-world challenges. Not everyone can afford to invest in a full time degree programme at a tertiary institution. Remember: not having a degree is not necessarily a restriction on the careers open to you, the exception being disciplines like medicine and law. Many professionals start their careers in retail sales, customer services or other positions that offer on-the-job training. Although college degrees build critical skills. Few colleges and universities can prepare students for the real-world challenges. Despite the pressure for good grades and to complete assignments on time, few colleges offer the experience to match the demands of a regular full-tine job.

Many successful entrepreneurs and business leaders have achieved success with little more than a high school diploma.