Incredible India Monthly Contest of July#2: Skills or Degree!
One of the most popular debates of today is whether it's skills or a degree that matter more. There are those people who think that acquiring a university degree is the key to success and then there are those who think that practical skills are more important. I think skills are more important because they are important in being able to solve problems in the real world, to earn a living and to respond to societal changes. While a degree can be useful in demonstrating that a person has taken formal education, skills are the things used in everyday life to ensure success. That's why I think skills are more important in life.
There are numerous ways in which people can make money through skills. Anybody who masters a skill and knows how to fix phones, make graphics, write computer code, make cakes, sew clothes, farm, or run a business can earn a living without going to college. Many people nowadays are working online, mostly with the skills of content writing, digital marketing, video editing, web designing, etc. They provide services to clients across different countries and establish successful careers. There have been many people I've encountered who began with a very basic skill and have gone on to become successful business owners. That is proof that with hands-on knowledge, there are numerous opportunities available for anyone willing to learn and work hard.
Another reason I think that skills are more important is that it gives people confidence. If someone has something they can do, they will know that it is something useful that they can help others with and can use to solve problems. It instills trust in people, which makes them more self-reliant. Someone that is skilled with electricity or carpentry, for instance, will always have a job to do as people will always need to hire them. A capable software developer can write programs that can help with all the many problems of millions of people. Skills give people a feeling of being useful and they are able to create something on their own.
I pick skills as the most significant one, but I also get what the advantages of degrees are. A degree offers formal education and training on key theories and concepts. It promotes discipline, critical thinking, and research skills. In certain careers like medicine, law, engineering, pharmacy and teaching, a degree is required because these careers require the proper training and the specialized knowledge required to practice. Individuals working in these occupations would not be able to do their job safely and effectively without formal training.
Earning a degree also adds to a person's credibility. Many companies prefer to hire graduates since they think that they have been well schooled and trained. Earning a degree also can help you receive promotions, better pay and leadership opportunities in many companies. In certain countries, to even apply for government employment or for a professional career, a person must have a university degree. So, degrees are still very important in today's society.
Both skills and degrees influence our lifestyle in different ways. A degree can provide job security, career development and professional stature. It provides people with structured careers and future job prospects in various sectors. Skills, however, promote creativity, flexibility and independence. If an individual has valuable skills, he or she can be an entrepreneur, freelancer, consultant or can be a business owner. They can often provide employment opportunities for others as well as themselves. This helps the economy to grow and lessen unemployment.
With the rapid pace of the changing world, it has become more crucial than ever to acquire new skills. Technological advancements are swift and traditional roles are being automated and replaced by AI. Consequently, lifelong learning is a necessity for people. Even people who already have a university degree need to keep their skills up to date on a regular basis to be employable. This just shows that learning continues after school. Lifelong learning is essential for success in life and in work.
I also think that skills enable people to be self-reliant. When a person is jobless, a practical skill can be another avenue to earning a living while they look for a new job. For instance, a person with graphic design expertise is able to do jobs online as a freelance. Someone who can bake can open a small bakery on his own. If one has skills in photography, he can earn from covering events or selling the photos. These practical skills ensure security as they offer opportunities even in tough times.
Skills also foster the spirit of innovation and creativity. Individuals that gain practical skills are prone to discovering new solutions to day-to-day issues. Without a skill, a lot of successful businesses would never have come into existence, because someone would have created a better product or service. Through the application of knowledge, entrepreneurs are contributing to making lives better for people, and to the creation of wealth for themselves and others. I think one of the best things about acquiring useful skills is that they are skills.I think that one of the best things about acquiring a useful skill is that it is a skill.
I don't believe, however, that formal education should be totally neglected. I think that's way to do it is to have both education and skills, and I think they should be together. Someone who has a degree and is very practical is at an advantage over a person who has just a degree or just is practical. Education gives knowledge, skills give the ability to use that knowledge to gain something. They work as a team to make people more productive, competitive and successful.
So, I think skills are more important as they can be used in the real world; degrees are also important but I think less so. Skills open doors, boost self-confidence, gain independence and enable people to adjust to society. They enable the individual to gain a livelihood, to find solutions to problems, and to continue to develop throughout their life. While degrees are important and can offer a host of job opportunities, skills are what make a difference in people's everyday lives. So, if I had to pick one, I would pick skills because they give people a value that will last their lifetime and enable them to survive, thrive and be a positive force in society throughout their life.
I invite @sduttaskitchen, @meraindia and @piya3 @sampabiswas to drop a very constructive comments on this post and also to participate in this contest.
You participated in the contest very well, but unfortunately the contest has already ended. Thank you for your effort and enthusiasm. We hope to see you participate in future contests as well. Best of luck!