Employers are looking for experience over college degree

In today’s job market, having a college degree is no longer enough to guarantee a successful career. With the rise of technology and the changing nature of work, employers are now placing more value on hands-on experience than a traditional four-year college education.

The future is not about your college degree, it is all about skills. In the tech industry, the signs are already visible and companies like Apple are not even looking for a 4-year college degree. This is because the degree is not advanced and does not teach the market trend and technologies. Those who are self-taught or get on-job training are excelling in their responsive fields. As a freelancer too, the best way to make good money is to learn new skills and advance your career online.

The shift in employers’ preference for experience over a college degree

One of the main reasons for this shift is that employers want to see that potential hires have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the job they’re applying for. College degrees can provide a broad foundation of knowledge, but they may not always be relevant to a specific industry or job. On the other hand, real-world experience demonstrates that a candidate has the practical skills needed to succeed in the workplace.

Another factor is the rise of remote work and the gig economy. With many companies offering flexible work arrangements, it’s become easier for workers to gain experience in different industries and positions. This has led to a more diverse and competitive job market, where employers are more likely to prioritize skills and experience over a traditional college degree.

A survey conducted by Stack Overflow has a shocking revelation of the preferences in the IT industry. It is estimated that about 75% of tech workers are self-taught. 39% of tech workers develop new skills with on-job training and only 43% of tech workers have degrees.