Did someone mention – Degree? There was an unending debate regarding the same about some of our politicians before the pandemic put all that noise in the background. Well, we’re not touching that sacrosanct space. We’re here to have a healthy debate. Our newest #DotsFired will pit professional skill sets against getting a professional degree.
Our Thoughts:
The question might seem like a Catch-22 phrase for all HR professionals. Without going through the process of getting a degree, one cannot possess certain skill sets, and vice versa seems debatable. You might find thousands of role models who didn’t go through any conventional process of getting a degree, yet they are great with people, flawless in their work and are always updated with the newest trends in the market. Some of them barely even knew how schools or colleges looked like. But, in the end, it was their skill set that led them towards their goals. You must be wondering how they did it. Here’s a fun fact –
According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE: 2018-19) there are 993 Universities, 39,931 Colleges and 10,725 Stand Alone Institutions with total enrolment in higher education estimated to be 37.4 million.
Since the pandemic first appeared in March 2020, nearly 320 million students in India were directly impacted by school & college closures. The learning and teaching structure, assessment methodologies, took the biggest hits. Closures pushed India towards a modernized, digital style of teaching.
The pandemic significantly stirred up the higher education sector as well, which is a vital element of a country’s economic future. However, the bigger concern for every graduate was the effect of COVID-19 on the employment rate.
Now you know why the century-old tradition of the chalk-talk teaching model is being profoundly driven by technology today. This is where online platforms such as UpGrad and Udemy have come to the limelight.
SKILL SETS vs. DEGREE: Who’s The Ultimate Winner?
The battle between imbibing yourself with the right skill sets, versus getting a degree that can land you in your dream job, is never-ending. Professionally speaking, there is no winner here. It’s a tie.
Let’s take the example of UpGrad and Udemy here. UpGrad is one of India’s largest online education platforms to bridge the gap between employees’ skill sets and industry requirements. Distant learning and placements are their forte. It is affiliated with numerous universities in India and overseas. It’s more like you are getting a degree and job at the same time. At Udemy, the courses are purely focused on improving your skill sets and updating yourself to current market trends. Getting you a job is secondary. Improving or upgrading your skill sets is its primary focus. Though the courses are made available to you for a lifetime once you make a purchase, these courses are a cost-effective way to boost your skill set. Moreover, recruiters do not consider Udemy certifications as a valid accomplishment that can be included in the resumé.
So, if the war between skill sets and degree continues, UpGrad and Udemy would surely end up making the whole world employable (which is a good thing, of course). Good luck shortlisting candidates, dear HR!
At 3 Dots Design, we believe that striking the right balance between having the right skill sets and a valid degree is more than sufficient to survive today’s competitive world. Our entire team possesses skill sets that make us standout from the rest and a degree to us, we feel, is just an obligatory requirement that we need to fulfill.
Source:
https://qrius.com/the-graduates-of-2020-now-what/)
https://www.borgenmagazine.com/covid-19-on-students-in-india/
https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/education/covid-19-pandemicimpact-and-strategies-for-education-sector-in-india/75173099