Degrees or Hustle: What Truly Counts Today?

After reading the topic for this prompt, what came directly to my mind is that “school na scam,” as they popularly do say it here in my country, Nigeria, but while I was growing up, we usually sang a popular song back then in primary school during assembly time, “Education is the key...” which I will say is true, but it does not work for everyone.

Back then, I was told that if I refused to pay attention to my education and face it squarely to have a degree, life would be very tough and filled with challenges. And to be sincere, maybe because we were young and naive back then, a lot of us honestly believed it. After all, when I did some research, I discovered that finishing school in those days, when you finished school, there was always a job waiting, even if it was civil service work.

However, as time goes on, things begin to change, and if we look at our time now, especially this year, things are different. I have a close friend who graduated with first class, and till now, she does not have a stable job, moving from one place to another with her CV, and the last time I checked, she is now into all these WhatsApp clothes vendors, meanwhile those who are skillful with the way they sew clothes, bake, know about catering, and are skillful in tech are doing much better. I know how much my tailor usually charges me anytime I want to sew. And sometimes, this frequently makes me have deep thoughts about those long years spent in sweat and money spent just to have a degree if it's still worth it.

Like some people frequently say, school is a scam, but no, that saying is even far from the truth because, personally, when I look at it, going to school is worth it, and having a degree still has so much value attached to it, but that is not the only way. Having a sound education makes our minds so sharp; it makes us know the act of discipline, and sometimes, we get the unexpected linkup and connection that we might not see from anywhere. Just last week I found myself designing a building plan and making use of what I was taught in school with so much confidence in my mind. Though we might have the knowledge of these things, if you and I look at it and are truthful to ourselves, school is not enough anymore.

And personally, what I would like to say is that our educational system needs to do more than they are already doing in a way that, just as we are doing practicals in our various higher institutions, the theory aspect also should not be left out so that those who are yet to graduate can be prepared for the real world that they are yet to experience, and I will say that the real education that will prepare people for the real Nigerian economy is where the way we survive is also dependent on how creative we are, our self-reliance, and hand skills that we can do aside from classroom works.

Just come to think of it this way: a situation where our higher institutions combine both academic works with entrepreneurship, ways to solve real life problems plus tech training and. I think that is going to attach more importance and value to the degree certificates we have which will make it more powerful.

So, my answer to the Hive Learners prompt if having a degree is still worth it? I will say yes, having a degree in my name is worth it because it has become part of my journey in life and not my whole map. To me, having a degree can open some certain doors, but in the Nigeria that you and I are living in today, well, I will just say that the skills that we have, how persistent we have become and the level of our mindset is what is keeping a lot of us inside and going forward.

Thank you for reading.

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