There is an ongoing battle between experience vs degree. Both are essential, but which is crucial?
According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, occupations that typically require a bachelor’s degree are expected to have 3.3 million openings each year.
However, a Harvard Business School study found that 37% of employers rank experience as the most important qualification in a candidate, not their education.
Does this mean a university degree is no longer necessary and that high school graduates should go straight to work?
The answer is more complex than that.
Gaining experience rather than pursuing a college degree allows you to begin working immediately. Source: AFP
Benefits of gaining experience
Deric Yee, a finance graduate from Lancaster University, pivoted his career and took up coding, even starting his own boot camp to train others in gaining coding experience.
“Focus on building tangible skills and solving real-world problems. Your portfolio will speak louder than any degree,” he says.
His opinion is extremely valid, and nowadays, more common than you may think.
While choosing to gain work experience instead of getting a degree is not common, it has become increasingly valuable.
The percentage of jobs requiring a college degree dropped from 51% in 2017 to 44% in 2021, according to the Burning Glass Institute.
This shows a shift in the mindset of employers, such as Apple, Tesla and IBM, who are now more interested in the skills and abilities gained from experiences rather than formal education.
On top of that, going to university can be expensive, and many take loans to help cover the cost. The time taken to pay off their debts may not outweigh the earning potential of a degree.
On the other hand, by replacing university with internships, travel and volunteering, you stand to gain experience and skills to apply to many different jobs and industries.
Life experiences can help you develop effective communication skills, problem-solving know-how, adaptability, and critical thinking abilities as well — all of which are highly sought-after by today’s employers.
An employee who can contribute from day one and requires little training is more in demand than someone who can perform complex coding but cannot work in a team.
Earning a degree often provides you with background information on an industry and helps you develop essential technical skills. Source: AFP
Benefits of earning a degree
On the other hand, earning a degree before gaining work experience has its perks.
With a degree in hand, you will likely earn more than non-graduates. Research has found that bachelor’s degree holders earn 84 per cent more than those with just high school diplomas. On average, college graduates will make over US$1.2 million more over their lifetime.
If you’re enrolled in a top university, you’ll likely have a higher chance of getting your dream job. Companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, Deloitte, and IBM have hired over 10,000 graduates from the top 100 universities in the world.
Statistics from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics show that in 2020, people with a bachelor’s degree earned around US$1,248 per week, while those with just a high school diploma made about US$746 per week.
While a degree doesn’t guarantee you a job, it makes it easier to find one. According to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, by 2031, it is projected that over 72 per cent of jobs in the US will require candidates to have a college degree.
In 2020, the national unemployment rate for those with bachelor’s degrees was just 2%, compared to 3.8% for those with only a high school diploma.
Employers are also always on the lookout for candidates with specialised knowledge and skills. With a degree, you will be able to focus on one specific field and become an expert in your area.
Going to university will also give you the opportunity to explore other subjects, network with peers and experts, and learn about different industries. This might help you find a passion you didn’t know about.
Do employers prefer experience or a degree?
In the ongoing debate on whether employers prefer those with experience or a degree, it really comes down to the type of job and the industry you’re aiming to work in.
Let’s start with industries where experience matters more than education.
For example, if you are interested in the IT field, having hands-on experience with coding languages and actual software development can take you further than a degree.
In areas such as plumbing or electrical work, it’s all about what you can do with your hands. Employers in these fields often value on-the-job experience more than formal education.
But then there are industries where education holds more weight for career advancement.
For example, professions like architecture, engineering, law or medicine — in these fields, having a formal degree and thousands of hours of training are pretty much non-negotiable must-haves before you can even think about starting your career.
However, even in these industries, having some sort of practical experience, like internships or co-op placements, can still be really valuable.
Whether you choose to focus on getting a degree or gaining hands-on experience depends on the industry you’re interested in and the specific job you want to pursue.
If you enjoyed watching “911” then consider training to be a firefighter. Source: AFP
In conclusion?
If you asked us what our take is, we’d say that there is no definitive answer as to which is better, and that a little bit of both will go a long way.
Both education and experience are beneficial and can be advantageous. Both hold value in the job market, and the ideal candidate has a combination of the two.
In many cases, a combination of both experience and a degree is the best. This allows you to leverage the strengths of each.
For example, someone with a degree but limited practical experience may seek internships or entry-level positions to gain hands-on skills, while an experienced professional without a degree may consider pursuing further education to expand their career options.
Earning a bachelor’s degree can be more expensive. Source: AFP
Experience vs degree: 7 must-know facts for every high schooler
Choosing the right path can be difficult when it comes down to experience vs degree.
There are a number of factors to consider to ensure you make the right decision for your future, such as:
Career goals and industry requirements
Determine the career path you want to take and research the requirements.
Some professions prioritise experience over degrees, while others demand academic qualifications.
For example, technical fields like engineering often require a degree, while creative industries like graphic design often ask for a portfolio and practical skills.
Cost and time
Consider the financial implications and time commitment of each option.
Pursuing a degree involves paying tuition fees for several years of study, and even a bachelor’s degree can be costly.
This means a four-year degree could cost approximately US$104,108 in total, and this does not take into account the cost of living for international students.
Meanwhile, gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions can offer income without the burden of student loans, and in return, provide a stable paycheck.
Market demand
Research the job market trends in the field you are interested in. Some industries, like technology or digital marketing, require practical experience more than academic credentials.
Some countries with rapidly ageing populations would look for skilled professionals in fields like healthcare, medicine, senior care, and so on.
Compare the employment rates and salary ranges for degree holders and experienced professionals before deciding which field you’d like to specialise in.
Networking opportunities
Both a degree and professional experience will give you networking opportunities, which are crucial to building any professional career.
Sonali Prakashbabu, a hospitality graduate, says, “Networking is as important as your exams. Network with everyone — even the fruit vendor down the road, because everyone is going to teach you something, and that’s the most valuable thing.”
University programmes often offer internships, industry events and alumni networks that can connect you with potential employers. Similarly, working in your field will allow you to build relationships with colleagues, mentors and industry leaders.
These will pave the way to earn academic recommendations from professors prove your knowledge of a subject, while professional recommendations from previous employers can validate your practical skills.
Learning style
Think about your learning style and career preferences.
Some people do well in structured academic environments, while others excel in hands-on, real-world settings.
Identify which path aligns best with your style and goals.
Some industries prefer candidates with experience, while other industries require candidates to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Source: AFP
Career growth
Consider career advancement and professional development when choosing between experience vs degree.
While a degree may open doors to higher-level positions and roles, practical experience can lead to promotions, leadership opportunities and entrepreneurial ventures.
Future outlook
While this may not have been a consideration twenty years ago, students now are admitting that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is affecting their post-high school plans, and most are weighing their chances against which careers are “safe” and which are not.
“Employers in the future will be more likely to choose robots that work full time, don’t take lunch breaks, are almost always right, and don’t need to be paid, over humans who need to be paid, require breaks, complain, and sometimes make errors in their work,” says Audrey, a student from New York.
Creative fields like writing and designing have taken a hit, with many corporations choosing to use tools like ChatGPT to replace human labour. As such, many are looking into fields where they know they cannot be replaced — at least, not in the near future.
Disclaimer: This article was last updated on May 15, 2025.
