Why Skills Matter More Than Higher Educational Credentials

Author Michael Schrage, in his guest blog post in the Harvard Business Review, argues that the huge gap between higher educational credentials and actual competence make many college graduates highly unemployable. Schrage says that higher education leading to better jobs and higher employment is a myth and simply getting A’s in exams does not really translate into acquiring good skills. In fact, networking with friends and alumni may be more valuable than going through with the curriculum.

The curricular formalities of higher education — as opposed to its informal networks of friends and connections — may be less valuable now than they were a decade ago. In other words, alumni networks may be more economically valuable than whatever one studied in class. In “Econ 101″ terms for job-hunters: time spent cultivating your Facebook/Linked-In network(s) may be a better investment than taking that Finance elective.

All this has resulted in employers doing due-diligence in selecting the right candidates for jobs. Rather than focusing on educational accomplishment of a prospect, they are now looking for demonstrable skills that will help them in real life scenarios. Schrage believes showing off your professional skills increasingly matter more now.

Firms have both the luxury and necessity to find the best possible candidates for open positions. Yes, they’re looking for appropriate levels of educational accomplishment but, really, what they most want are people who have the skills they need. More importantly, they want to actually see those skills — be they written, computed, designed and/or presented.

Michael Schrage

Harvard Business Review: “Higher Education Is Overrated; Skills Aren’t”

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