Is Education Overrated?

Recently I had the opportunity to interview with five or six different companies. It was a great experience for me. I was able to sit down, and discuss the functionalities of their businesses, and learn more about the direction they wanted to go with future goals. As I spoke with these individuals, the main thing they wanted to know from me, was what I could do for them? What were my skills, where did my specialty lye, and how would this benefit their company?

These were very important questions for these people, because they needed someone who could perform certain tasks in order to meet needs of their company. My interpretation of these questions went beyond the actual questions; what I understood was deeper than what could I do. They wanted to know my education, experience, and I believe a taste of my confidence level with my skills all at once. Without education these questions might have been scary; however being prepared before hand solves the problem.

Education doesn’t just mean going to school. Please do not misunderstand this statement, because school teaches confidence. College is a time where students learn to study, analyze, solve problems, gain specialized skill sets, and increase people skills; it is one of the best things an individual can do to improve their career path. However; it is not the only place an education can be earned. The work place is one of the best places to gain real world education. There you will see actual problems faced in a company, and you will need to know how to respond to those problems. Through this type of hands on experience you will receive valuable training which will give you the upper-hand over competition for future employment.

Specialized training such as technical IT certifications is also an invaluable form of education. Through this type of training, individuals are able hone in on niche areas of industries which promote high salaries. This type of education can be gained in many different ways such as boot camps, distance learning programs, and study at home programs, or in other words, computer based training programs. The purpose of certifications is to provide training for technical problems companies face, and how to solve those issues with proficiency.

So is education overrated? I don’t think so. Being able to answer difficult questions which employers might have for you is never a bad thing when you are looking for employment. The right education can help you in those types of situations. Education will provide you with the ability to respond with confidence, letting those individuals know that your skills are exactly what they need. Once you know your skills are in demand, you simply have to make the right decision on which path will lead to your future success.