Education v. Experience: the Age-Old Dispute

In a fast-paced world of ever-changing standards, one argument remains: is education more valuable than experience in the workplace?

I'm halfway through my post-graduate social media marketing certificate and seeing the debate arise again. As students enter the workforce, they’re often discouraged by job postings requiring 3-5 years of experience. While those looking to change careers tend to feel as though they need to return to the classroom to be relevant.

Nothing has changed; even today, across most industries, the conundrum of education v. experience still plays a significant role in the job market for employees and employers alike.

Education is the Gold Standard

Formal education can provide an understanding of theories and concepts essential to specific careers. Academic learning is essential to understanding and being capable in the fields of law, medicine, or engineering. While critical thinking and research skills can develop through trial-by-fire on-the-job training, they are the foundation of higher learning and are needed for some specific roles.

Higher-Learning Skills:

• Foundational Knowledge - Theory Understanding

• Credentials and Recognized Qualifications

• Critical Thinking and Research Skills

• Time-Management
  

Some types of careers require structured learning paths to achieve the skills and comprehension needed to perform the job, and degrees and certifications are standards by which employers know applicants are eligible clinically to perform the role.

But some things are just not taught in school.

Experience is the Best Teacher

Defined as a practical contact with or observation of facts or events, experience is hands-on learning. On-the-job experience can prove to employers one’s ability to adapt and navigate. And through this, intuition is the most important skill development that comes from learning through experience. Knowing when and where to apply learned skills comes from doing, not observing.

Some may say they’ve been there and done that, but they didn’t buy they didn’t buy the tee shirt. Formal education is not needed in every profession. In some fields, including IT and software development, integrated learning comes from doing and not being in the classroom.

Experience-Earned Skills:

• Communication and Negotiation

• Problem-Solving

• Interpersonal-Understandings

• Adaptability

Real-world situations lead to a better understanding of classroom lectures, whatever the situation. The real lesson is taking what’s read about in a book and applying it practically. Requiring adjustment and interpretation, the application of tangible scenarios, backed by concrete knowledge are the best teachers.

Hard and Soft Skills

Bridging the gap between theory and reality comes only through real-life experience. And post-secondary school, at any age, offers just that. Most, if not all, programs of every discipline offer case studies or hands-on practice to achieve a better understanding of textbook knowledge. Applying theory to a real-world setting helps gain valuable industry understanding.

Truly beneficial is the amalgamation of both. As an adult student, having returned to the classroom after 20 years of real-life experience and my passion to seek new challenges inspired by a growth mindset, I’m ready for what’s next. Leveraging both for career advancement is key to understanding the importance of education and experience, not one more valuable than the other.

Finding opportunities to volunteer or openings for field-related internships is the best way for students to prepare for the real world. Using knowledge gained in the classroom to better understand practical applications is the best stepping-stone to a successful career in a field.

Education and experience, partnered and applied, will build a foundation of success. Apply what’s been taught and adjust your understanding of the situation based on experience; Connect lessons from school to situations in life and vice-versa, and you’ll be unstoppable.