By Eden Koech
A four-year degree once opened doors to job opportunities . Now it barely gets you through the front gate or even a call back .This is because the job market has drastically changed and employers have changed with it .These days the person who can solve a problem , build something or create results gets hired regardless of whether they hold a university degree .In a world that’s driven by speed , innovation and flexibility , it’s your skillset that matter most .
Why Degrees Aren’t Enough Anymore
General education from university may look good on paper , but it no longer dazzles employers the way it used to .They want proof of skills that are measurable, not lecture notes .
Employers are realizing that just having a degree does not mean one can do the job . Many graduates lack practical ,job-specific skills especially in a fast-paced and ever changing field like technology. Some applicants come with years of theory–based knowledge with little or no hands-on experience and need to be trained from scratch which leads to a long hiring process and is more costly for the company .This leads hiring managers to move away from looking at transcripts and instead test through tasks. For example , in marketing one can be asked to draft an ad . They can have real world scenarios where a candidate is asked to handle an actual task or solve a problem they would likely face on the job rather than just answering traditional interview questions .Hence even with a clear and comprehensive five-year career plan one needs the right skills since companies want people who can adapt quickly ,learn fast and deliver results . By the time a four-year course is done , the industry tools or platforms might already be outdated .
In 2025 companies are moving more into skill based hiring meaning that the playing field is slowly being leveled in a very saturated job market . However, to stand out even more there are
different strategies one can explore like skill stacking or mastering in one high income skill . Indeed describes skill stacking as the concept where individuals make themselves more valuable by gaining a wide range of skills instead of pursuing a single skill or talent. One can strive to pursue complementary skills that may support each other and create a unique new set of skills. Doing this offers a realistic path to success and provides more opportunities in various fields.
Why is this effective?
It increases one’s value as an employee, driving them to higher earning potential , encourages entrepreneurship and allows one to pivot in their career path .
Learning high income skills means investing time and effort to master a practical ability that employers, clients, or the market are willing to pay well for . These skills usually involve solving problems, creating value, or improving results . These skills are in demand and can be learned independently (self-taught ). The benefits are career flexibility since such skills let you work as a freelancer,job security due to its demand and instead of studying for years,some can be learned in a few months ,especially with consistent practice and mentorship.With freelancing one can build a full-time income from a skill .
Due to the fact that digital access has increased one can work from anywhere or for anyone.Most global platforms like Upwork ask for your portfolios, past projects ,your reviews and your reliability to get the job done .This leads to companies hiring across borders .They are not fixated on traditional requirements as long as you can deliver quality work one is qualified for hire.A solid portfolio of a skill, a laptop, and wifi allow people to create work opportunities for themselves .
Even better , short online courses on different skills are offered online either free or charged at a very affordable price if one needs certification at the end of it . Short courses can be completed in a matter of weeks or months depending on what one wants to study . They focus only on the essential,job ready skills .There is no filler content, just what one requires to start working. Moreover the courses come with certification that are recognized . With platforms like Coursera,Udemy and edX one can access online learning and receive world class education.
Especially since it’s within these platformsthat universities such as Stanford, Yale and Havard which are known for their academic excellence offer courses for free or for a small fee and one can be certified enhancing their chances of being picked if they put themselves out in the job market .
In a world where employment rules are being rewritten , the winners will be those that break through the plateaus . Plateaus of limited opportunities .Plateaus of waiting years to be hired.
The job market is competitive ,yes but not impossible .Those willing to learn, relearn and unlearn will always be ahead .The opportunity is already online ,flexible and accessible .Degrees still matter, but in today’s world it’s the doers not just the scholars ,who get hired .
The future of work belongs to those who learn faster, adapt quicker and aren’t afraid to prove themselves. If you can show it you can sell it .