For many years, getting a university degree was viewed as the best way to success.Leaners
worked hard believing that a degree led to a certained employment and a secure future.
However, the modern employment market is changing, raising an important inquiry: Do
degrees matter more than skills today?
A degree remains worthwhile. It provides specialized understanding, discipline, and
qualifications required in careers such as medicine, law, engineering, and teaching. Many
employers still use academic certifications when hiring candidates. For some professions,
a degree is non-negotiable.
However, skills are becoming increasingly essential. Employers are no longer looking only
at certificates; they want people who can solve problems, communicate effectively, use
technology, and adapt quickly. A graduate with practical skills in coding, graphic design,
digital marketing, data analysis, or communication may have an advantage over someone
with strong academic papers but limited practical capability.
In Kenya’s competitive employment market, unemployment among graduates has
highlighted this reality. Many young people are turning to digital freelancing,
entrepreneurship, and digital careers where practical skills often matter more than official
qualifications.
This does not mean degrees are worthless. Instead, students should comprehend that a
degree alone may not be enough. The strongest position comes from merging academic
education with marketable skills. A chemistry student, for example, can strengthen their
future opportunities by learning research software, laboratory techniques, data analysis, or
communication skills alongside their education.
The argument should not be “degree versus skills.” Rather, the real inquiry is how learn ers
can stabilize both to remain competitive in a changing world. In today’s world, success
increasingly belongs to those who possess knowledge and the capability to employ it.
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