This is a question that most youths in Kenya and all over the world are asking themselves. Many young professionals consider a degree as an essential stepping stone to success.
In Kenyan households, the norm has been to finish high school, go to college get a degree then get a job. After which, this job then provides financial stability among other things which people consider to be successful. However, this dynamic is increasingly shifting. This due to an increase in the number of many people with college degree yet are unemployed.
The question of the necessity of a degree is further enhanced by issues such as:
Of the thousands of young Kenyans who graduate from institutions of higher learning every year, many end up in fields that are far detached from what they studied in school.
This is because of endless job search combined with difficult economic situations. Eventually it leads people to put their degrees aside and venture into activities that will generate them income. If you are lucky to get a job you don’t get to be picky but stick with it for financial freedom.
They go from being engineers to online content creators, political scientists to farmers, accountants to street selling vendors or hawkers among many other things.
There is also the issue with social media and all the opportunities it has provided. Social media only requires an internet network connection and a phone or a laptop. People earn by creating content online without really needing a university degree.
So social media has created an issue with people looking for fame. Since the more famous you are the higher the chance of your content being consumed. Hence improving your chances of earning.
With this issue in mind, it has therefore become quite beneficial especially in Kenya where many celebs are easily getting jobs in several fields. For instance in the media industry, and thereby locking out the people who have actually qualified for these positions.
Another issue…
Acquiring higher education which is often costly. With the majority of Kenyans being in the middle and lower classes, acquiring this education tends to be a struggle.
They then opt for other ways such as acquiring loans from institutions such Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). After getting the degree then they end up falling into the debt burden with interest which keeps on accumulating. This due to the youths being unable to get well-paying job to cater for the loans. Education then becomes a burden to most people.
Below is the list of some of the different careers that need a degree and those that don’t
Careers That Require A Degree:
- Medicine
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Nursing
- Teaching
- Law
- Software Developers
- Human Resource Managers
- Mental Health Counselors
- Financial Manager
Careers That Don’t Require A Degree
These are careers you can do with some training in the field. They also make good side hustles. If you would like to read on other side hustles just click here.
- Web Developers And Digital Designers
- Blogging And Vlogging(Content Creation)
- Sales And Marketing
- Flight Attendance
- Makeup Artists And Hair Stylist
- Firefighter And Prevention Workers
- Plumber
- Electrician
However, even with this knowledge, it is very clear that we do not necessarily need a degree, it is an important element when you have it. Having a college degree is proving to be quite beneficial in terms of increased income and a boost to the resume.
The benefits of having a degree include the following:
1. Developing new skills
Tertiary education provides the soft skills and the relevant skills required so as to better prepare students when they enter the workforce.
These skills include communication skills, public speaking skills, team working critical thinking among many skills. Of course these skills will vary depending on career courses one decides to specialize in.
Having a degree is a key differentiator when youths are looking for jobs from those who don’t have. A certificate gives the employers assurance that the youth or the candidate has the knowledge as well as the experience especially for practical units about the roles they are about to acquire.
Having a degree is also a demonstration of person, discipline, persistence, and ability for that industry. These are key attributes of what employees are constantly looking for while hiring youths
2. Networking Opportunities
In a person’s journey to acquiring a degree, key factors come into play that is one is able to interact with other colleagues in school, during internship or volunteering, job fairs, career development days, and even with the professors.
In today’s job market building and maintaining a professional network is critical to one’s own success. Therefore, having these interactions or contacts helps in molding one’s future.
For graduands who plan to start a business after achieving their degree, your starting point with customers, vendors, and partners always come from people you met and interacted with in the acquisition of that degree.
3. Increased Earning Potential
For most youths in Kenya and around the world the driving force for acquiring a college degree is the ability to earn more money so as to become independent.
Workers with a certificate or diploma earn on average 17% more than their peers who only reached the high school level. Employees who earned a Bachelor’s Degree earn 24% more than those who only managed to attain a certificate or diploma.
According to Salary Explorer, Professionals who attained a Master’s are awarded salaries that are 29% more than those with a Bachelor’s Degree. Finally, Ph.D. holders earn 23% more than Master’s Degree holders on average while doing the same job.
4. Increase Marketability and Job Security
Having a bachelor’s degree will keep you in demand as the need for skilled, college-educated workers continues to rise. With the increase in development and fast growing economies such as Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) require a college degree.
Gaining college papers also gives one a competitive advantage in the job market compared to one without a degree. In most jobs in Kenya, educated staff is so important that they will even pay for employees’ tuition to enhance in his/her area of specialization.
This is how valuable college papers can be. It is seen as an investment that will bring substantial rewards, not only to the employee but to the company as well. With this then someone is guaranteed job security.
With this information, it is clear that one can succeed with or without a college degree. So ensure you follow us on social media, to receive opportunities and updates on business and career regardless of whether you have a degree or not.
