Education and Learning

There seems to be a great deal of discrepancy as to how employers view education and learning with much more value given to the former. Job postings will always have education requirements but rarely will mention anything about ongoing learning. It seems like they are only interested in what you did and who you were at age 22. It feels like these requirements were put in place in the 70s, 80s, and 90s when self guided learning wasn’t readily available and has gone unchecked and unchallenged as to whether it is still a relevant measure for a great employee.

Admittedly, I am probably more sensitive to this than most as I didn’t go to college right out of school and even when I did go it was for a two year technical degree. I feel very fortunate for how those events played out as I wasn’t a good student in high school and a four year college would have been an incredible waste of time and money. In my mid twenties though I seemed to get hit with a thirst for learning. There are an abundance of tools at our disposal that are either free or very inexpensive and that allow us to learn. If there is some topic or piece of knowledge I need to learn to do my job, I could probably learn it in a week.

Now could I go back to get my Bachelor’s Degree now? Sure – but aside from getting a piece of paper that shows my accreditation, I don’t see how it is 50 times more valuable than what I can learn online. On the flip side, there seems to be a significant amount of people who’ve done all they need to do. They got their degree. They’re good. They can print out proof that they’re qualified to be a good employee. However, being good at school does not necessarily mean you will be good in the workplace

I understand the rules of the game and I accept them. I know that I won’t be considered for many opportunities and that my resume will be thrown aside. It is my hope for businesses’ sake, that they start emphasizing learning much more than education as I believe the ones who are interested in continual learning are the ones who will lead and make an impact in such a fast changing world.

Education

the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university.

Learning

the acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or by being taught.