Why Degrees are a waste of Time and Money (Here's what to do instead)

We live in an information-driven world today.

But it hasn't always been this way. The world has changed more in the last two decades than it ever did before that. A lot of this transformation is the result of constant access to information at our fingertips, thanks to the internet.

Groundbreaking technological innovations have reshaped industries, businesses, and everyday life. Take Apple, for example. The company revolutionized computing with its MacBooks and changed personal technology forever with the launch of the iPhone. The smartphone in your pocket today is exponentially more powerful than the computers NASA used in 1969 for the legendary moon landing. Talk about portability!

Because of these technological advancements, job roles and career paths have evolved significantly in the 21st century. Traditional education, once seen as the golden ticket to success, is rapidly losing its relevance. The truth is, most good companies no longer care about your degree or where you graduated from. What truly matters is whether you can get the job done.

Degrees Were for the Industrial Age—This Is the Digital Age

Degrees used to matter when we were in the Industrial Age—when the economy depended on large-scale manufacturing and rigid corporate structures. Back then, employers needed standardized workers who could follow instructions and perform repetitive tasks. A degree was a way to prove you had the basic knowledge and discipline to function in such an environment.

But we are no longer in that world. This is the Digital Age—where everything is done online, where opportunities are limitless, and where knowledge is available to anyone willing to seek it out. The real winners today are those who know how to master the digital landscape, stay ahead of trends, and learn things that others don’t know. If you can leverage technology, understand digital marketing, coding, automation, AI, or any other high-demand skill, you will always have an edge.

Employers Want Skills, Not Degrees

Companies today are looking for real results, not just a piece of paper that says you attended a university. They want to see your past experience, the tangible impact you’ve made, and the value you can bring to their organization.

Degrees used to serve as a filter to separate job candidates, but in today’s fast-paced digital economy, that filter is breaking down. Some of the best-paid professionals never stepped foot in a traditional college classroom—or if they did, they dropped out to build something extraordinary. Think Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and many more.

Of course, there are exceptions. If you want to become a doctor, an engineer, or a lawyer, you’ll still need formal education. After all, no one wants a self-taught heart surgeon! But outside of these highly specialized fields, degrees are becoming obsolete.

Companies That Require Unrelated Degrees Must Be Called Out

It’s absurd that in 2025, some companies still require a random college degree for basic job roles that have nothing to do with what was taught in school. If a company demands a degree for a position that clearly doesn’t require one, that’s a red flag. These outdated hiring practices must be called out and cancelled. Such companies are stuck in the past and should not be taken seriously by any ambitious professional. If they cannot recognize talent beyond a diploma, they are not worth your time—so don’t even bother applying.

The New Path to Success: Skills, Grit, and Execution

In this new world, the winners aren’t the ones with the fanciest diplomas—they’re the ones with the most valuable skills. Employers value:

• Technical skills – Whether it's coding, digital marketing, design, sales, or copywriting, companies prioritize expertise over educational background.
• Problem-solving ability – Can you take on a challenge and come up with effective solutions?
• Execution power – Ideas are cheap. What sets people apart is their ability to take action and deliver results.
• Grit and discipline – The ability to show up consistently, work hard, and push through obstacles is more valuable than any degree.
• Adaptability and lifelong learning – The pace of change is rapid. Those who continuously learn and evolve will always stay ahead.

A Unique Skillset Is More Valuable Than a Degree

What truly sets professionals apart in today’s digital economy is not a single skill but a unique combination of multiple skills. The ability to integrate knowledge from different fields creates an overarching skillset that surpasses what any degree can offer.

I believe that careers should be non-linear—humans are multivariate, and we should explore different paths that excite us. Over the years, I’ve learned and implemented multiple skills like Digital Designing, Full-Stack Digital Marketing, Employer Branding, Design Recruiting, and much more. I even built an E-Commerce Startup that I later sold.

To be truly unique, you don’t need just one unique skill. But when multiple skills interact, they create something much greater—a dynamic expertise that is invaluable in today's digital world.

This is the mindset that employers value far more than a traditional degree.

What Should You Do Instead of Pursuing a Degree?

If you’re at a crossroads, wondering whether a traditional degree is worth it, consider these alternatives:

1. Learn online – Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and YouTube offer courses that are often more practical and up-to-date than university curriculums.
2. Build real-world experience – Internships, freelance work, personal projects, and side hustles teach you more than any textbook.
3. Network and find mentors – Surround yourself with people who are already successful in your field. Learn from them, ask questions, and seek guidance.
4. Develop a portfolio – Whether you’re a designer, developer, writer, or marketer, a strong portfolio will open more doors than a degree ever could.
5. Stay consistent – Overnight success is a myth. The key to mastery is consistency and relentless practice.

The Bottom Line

Degrees are becoming outdated in many fields. What matters now is your ability to solve problems, produce results, and adapt to a rapidly changing world. If you focus on mastering your craft, developing resilience, and taking action, you’ll never need a degree to prove your worth.

Be so good they can’t ignore you.