I remember back in secondary school, one of our teachers used to always say, “Read hard and get a degree. Don’t stop at secondary school, because in the future, some people will be doctors and lawyers, while others will end up selling pepper by the roadside. Those who sell pepper are the dullards who refused to go to school.” At that time, we all believed that without a degree, life would be hard.
But looking at what is happening today, I cannot completely agree with what that teacher said. The truth is that some people who are selling pepper or farming pepper are doing far better than some degree holders. Times have changed. Many of them have modernized the way they sell pepper, and some even take online orders and deliver to customers. Their income is stable, and they are not waiting endlessly for white-collar jobs that are difficult to find.
On the other hand, we see many graduates with degrees struggling. Some end up as bike riders, cab drivers, or doing jobs that do not require their certificates. In fact, I am one of those who finished my degree and still had to go and learn a skill. I studied Business Administration, but today it is the baking skill I learned that is putting money in my pocket, not the certificate itself. That is the reality many of us face in 2025.
However, does that mean degrees are useless? No, I don’t think so. Degrees are still worth it, but not on their own. A degree can still open doors for some people. In many organizations, it is what is used to promote workers to higher levels. Some people have moved from junior staff to managers and even CEOs because they had a degree. And even now, many people who don’t yet have one are still going back to school because they want that promotion. For others, a degree might create future opportunities they cannot see right now.
For me, I won’t say it is a waste. I studied Business Administration, and what I learned is helping me in running my baking business. I may not be using my certificate to apply for jobs now, but the knowledge I got from school is guiding me in how I plan, manage, and grow my work. Just last week, I applied something I learned in school when I did my costing for my business. That discipline came directly from my studies. So even if my certificate is not the one feeding me now, my education is still useful.
But I believe there is more that the school system can do. One major change should be adding skill training directly into the school curriculum. From secondary school, students should learn a trade or craft alongside their regular courses. That way, by the time they graduate, they are not just holding a certificate but also holding a skill that can give them money while waiting for job opportunities. If our schools can combine degrees with practical skill development, graduates will not struggle as much as they do now.
So, is getting a degree still worth the effort in 2025? Yes, it is. But it should not be the only thing we rely on. In today’s world, degrees and skills must go hand in hand. A degree gives respect, promotion, and knowledge, while a skill gives survival, daily income, and independence. When both are combined, then the effort is truly worth it.