A degree might get you an interview. Your skills will get you the job—and help you keep it
By MAHNOOR JAMSHAID
For decades in Pakistan, the path to success was thought to be straightforward: get a degree, land a job, and build a life. Parents invested heavily in their children’s education, often believing that a bachelor’s or master’s degree guaranteed stability and status. But today, the job market tells a different story—one where degrees are no longer enough, and skills have taken center stage.
The Degree Dilemma
Each year, thousands of fresh graduates in Pakistan step into the workforce with high hopes—and equally high frustration. Despite holding formal qualifications, many find themselves jobless or stuck in roles that have little to do with their field of study.
Why? Because having a degree doesn’t always mean you’re job-ready. Employers increasingly say they struggle to find candidates who can actually do the work, even if they have the paperwork to prove they’ve studied it.
For instance, a computer science graduate might know how to define algorithms in theory but struggle to solve real coding problems. An MBA holder might understand business models but have no experience in digital marketing tools or client communication.
Skill is the New Currency
In the digital age, practical, hands-on skills are valued more than ever. Whether it’s graphic design, coding, video editing, data analysis, SEO, or communication—these are the skills that allow people to contribute meaningfully from day one.
Look around at the most successful young professionals in Pakistan today. Many of them are freelancers, entrepreneurs, or digital creators who’ve learned through YouTube tutorials, online courses, internships, and self-practice—not just classrooms.
Companies hire based on portfolios, communication skills, and technical assessments rather than just what’s printed on a degree.
The Freelance and Startup Boom
According to the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Pakistan ranks among the top 5 countries for freelance work. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork are full of Pakistani professionals earning in dollars—many of whom have no formal degree in their field.
This shift signals something powerful: skills not only matter more than degrees—they create independence. You can learn UI/UX design online today and start earning tomorrow. No four-year degree required.
Degrees Still Matter—But Not Alone
This doesn’t mean degrees are useless. In fields like medicine, law, engineering, or academia, formal education is necessary. Degrees give structure, discipline, and foundational knowledge. But outside of that, it’s the skillset that determines who gets hired, promoted, or even noticed.
The real magic happens when the two go hand in hand—when a graduate uses their education as a base and actively builds skills on top of it.
What Needs to Change
- Universities Must Evolve: Academic institutions should integrate practical skills, internships, and project-based learning into their curriculums.
- Students Must Take Initiative: Learn beyond your syllabus. Use platforms like Coursera, YouTube, and LinkedIn Learning.
- Employers Must Look Beyond Degrees: Hire for talent, train for fit.
Conclusion
In today’s fast-moving, tech-driven world, the job market no longer asks, “What degree do you have?” It asks, “What can you do?”
So if you’re a student or job seeker in Pakistan wondering what really matters—the answer is clear: a degree opens the door, but your skills will walk you through it.
“Your skills are your voice in a crowded market. Make sure they’re saying something worth listening to.”
Read: WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR A PROFESSIONAL, SKILL OR DEGREE?
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Mahnoor Jamshaid is a second year student at the department of Mass Communication, University of Karachi
