Whilst some industries still require university education for degree holders to access the careers they have studied for, other industries are now more open to a candidate’s skillset. University degrees are by no means the only route that many graduates have taken in accessing their chosen career. Many employers now look at a candidate’s skillset and experience that can be applied to the role over a candidate’s qualifications.
The Changing Role of a University Degree
Employers do still look for graduates to have acquired academic skills, particularly communication skills and how these can be applied. It is also expected that graduates will have gained work experience whilst studying, either through a placement as part of their course or through a part-time job. Many employers also value the transferable skills which university students can gain through their time at university.
Within organisations there has been a shift of focus from recognising an individual’s academic potential to actually being able to do the job for which they have been hired. Many organisations now bring in new employees as graduates on university programmes such as graduate schemes and allow them to learn the ways of the organisation whilst on the programme. However, it is not long until the graduate is expected to become a fully functioning member of the team, and having academic potential is not enough.
They must also be able to apply the knowledge that they have gained during their time at university, and this can be difficult for some individuals. It is not just the application of knowledge that is important; employees must also be able to communicate with colleagues and customers, be flexible to change, solve problems, and work well in teams.
Industries Where Degrees Remain Essential
Although there are a number of industries where getting a university degree is not as essential as others, there are still many professions that require a university degree for safe practice. Many professionals require individuals to have completed an accredited university degree in order to become a qualified member of that profession, for example, doctors, dentists, solicitors, architects, teachers, pharmacists and engineers.
University degrees are still the best route into careers involving scientific research, specialist finance and very in-depth knowledge of a subject or industry. As well as academic studies, universities can also provide a wealth of opportunities for students to make contacts and experience working in industry through a number of routes, such as through placements, careers fairs and employer-based projects set up by a university as part of an employer’s recruitment process.
Where Experience Has Become Equally Valuable
There are many industries where skills-based recruitment is becoming the norm, technology being the most obvious example. Many employers in this field are looking for evidence of technical ability, and formal qualifications are not always necessary. Candidates can prove their ability by pointing to examples of their work in the form of a portfolio, or by having completed formal qualifications as part of a certification course.
Other industries, such as sales, marketing and customer success, place a large emphasis on the candidate’s communication skills, ability to work in a team, leadership skills, organisation, and commercial awareness. Although formal qualifications are often required for entry to these roles, employers place as much value on these skills as they do on the candidate’s academic achievements.
Modern Recruitment Priorities
There are many different ways to prove to an employer that you have the necessary skills to do a job. The skills that you have gained through work or through other experiences are often viewed more favourably than those that you have gained at university. There are also many different skills that can be transferable to different roles and to different industries.
A growing number of organisations have now moved to adopting modern recruitment. Most graduates applying for roles will be asked to complete a number of tasks, known as skills tests, to show the employer that the candidate has the necessary skills for the role they are applying for.
This trend in recruitment within organisations means that graduates with high qualifications will no longer automatically be offered a job. Organisations are now adopting no degree required policies, and jobs are often advertised as 'skills-based' jobs.
Evaluating the Return on Investment
For some regulated professions, higher education is the only route to gain the required qualification to work in the industry. However, there are many industries where a university education is not necessary to gain the skills to get the job you want. There are a growing number of organisations that recognise the value of the different ways in which people can acquire the skills that they need to do their job well.
Many of the apprenticeships and vocational qualifications that are available are designed to be an alternative to a university course and can be completed in a fraction of the time. But the biggest advantage of many of these is that you can earn a wage while you are studying for your qualification.
Looking for Career Advice?
Alchemy Global Talent Solutions is a specialist recruitment company. We work with clients and candidates from many different industries. We can provide candidates with information about the current opportunities available in the jobs market, as well as advice and guidance to assist with your search for a career. Please speak with a member of the Alchemy GTS team for more information on the services we can provide to support your career goals.
