Do You Really Need a Degree Anymore? Hot Take: I Don’t Think So

For decades, the formula for success seemed simple: go to university, get a degree, and land a good job. But in today’s world, it’s not so black and white. Employers and clients are less impressed by credentials and more focused on skills, initiative, and results.

We all know people with impressive degrees who can’t land a job in their field — or who are underpaid and overworked, unable to live the life they envisioned. So, it’s worth asking: is a degree still necessary? Unless you plan to practice law, work in medicine, or enter another profession where accreditation is mandatory, do you really need it? Or is it time to rethink what “education” actually means?

Alternative Education is Everywhere

Diplomas, certificates, and online training programs have changed the game. They provide focused, practical skills without the massive time and financial investment of a four-year degree. If you want to learn digital marketing, coding, or design, where will you get the most relevant training? Often, it’s through an online course, bootcamp, or certificate program designed around what today’s industry actually needs. These options don’t just teach theory — they give you tools you can use immediately to create real results.

Work Experience > Classrooms

Here’s the truth: work experience replaces formal education. Point blank.

Entering the workforce earlier forces you to adapt, solve problems, and build relationships in real time. That hands-on experience puts you miles ahead of peers who are still sitting in lecture halls, learning about case studies instead of living them.

For me, it wasn’t degrees or accreditations that shaped my career. It was internships. Late nights juggling multiple jobs. Saying “yes” to opportunities I wasn’t 100% ready for. Putting myself in uncomfortable situations that forced me to grow. Reaching out to industry professionals who intimidated me — and learning from every single conversation.

Those experiences taught me far more than any classroom ever could.

And don’t get me wrong — I believe formal education has its place. My brother is a chemical engineer turned lawyer. My sister is a nurse with multiple degrees. But I’m living proof that if the classroom isn’t your thing, you still have options. If you’re passionate and willing to work, you’ll be just fine. And yes, I wish my high school guidance counsellors had been more progressive in sharing these options with me.

Credentials Don’t Equal Competence

Here’s what most people won’t say out loud: if you’re willing to work, credentials don’t matter. Clients don’t hire me because of where I studied — they hire me because I deliver results. Employers don’t care about your diploma if you can walk in, solve problems, and bring fresh ideas to the table. What I lacked in formal “education,” I made up for in perseverance. I worked harder, pushed myself further, and refused to let the absence of a degree define me.

Redefining Education

The problem isn’t that degrees exist — it’s that society still treats them as the only acceptable definition of education. That mindset penalizes young people who take a different path, even when that path sets them up for success. Education should be measured by more than credit hours. It’s the skills you’ve mastered, the relationships you’ve built, the risks you’ve taken, and the persistence you’ve shown when things got hard. By that definition, many “unqualified” people are actually some of the most educated in the room. I’ll always show up to cheer for my friends at graduation — but I’ll just as loudly celebrate the bestie who launched a business, landed their first client, or hit an exciting milestone.

The Real Question

So, do you really need a degree anymore?

For certain professions — medicine, law, engineering — yes, credentials are essential. But for most careers, the answer is no. What matters is proof of your abilities, evidence of your work ethic, and the courage to keep showing up when it’s uncomfortable.

The world doesn’t need more credentials. It needs more doers.

And here’s the thing: in the digital era, the world is literally at your fingertips. You have instant access to information, training, and communities on virtually any subject. You can learn, practice, and create — all from your laptop or phone. You can ideate, launch projects, and connect with the right people in seconds.

The tools to “educate” yourself and build a business are already out there. The only question is whether you’re willing to put in the work. I get DMs all the time asking how I found clients or started my business, and the truth is — it’s not complicated. It takes work, yes. But when you put it in, the payoff is tenfold.

Perseverance and Consistency Really Do Pay Off

I’ve now been running my business full-time for three years. Each year has brought steady growth, and today I’m on track to cross into the multi–six-figure range. I’ve built a strong roster of clients and agency partners, many of whom I’ve developed lasting relationships with. And the best part? I love what I do. If I can do it, so can you. No gatekeeping here — just proof that perseverance and consistency really do pay off. It’s time to stop equating degrees with intelligence and start recognizing perseverance, adaptability, and real-world learning as the education that truly counts.

👉 Do you think degrees are still necessary, or is experience the real teacher?