The most common reason why our parents used to tell us to study hard is so that we can go to a good university. By getting into a good university, we improve our chances of finding a good job and help the family become financially secure. But with the growing popularity of remote work, does this remain true?
One of remote work’s main advantages compared to traditional work is it gives everyone an equal playing field. Here, it doesn’t matter whether you graduated from one of the best schools in the country or not. So long as you’ve got the skills your employer needs, you’re hired, at least in theory.
Does this mean you don’t need to come from a prestigious university to succeed in remote work? Let’s find out.
Attending a Good University Still Opens Many Opportunities to You.
A distinct advantage of attending a good university is receiving quality education. Graduates of these universities are more proficient and well-rounded in their chosen field than graduates of other universities or senior high school graduates… in theory. This allows them to produce a more impressive resume when job hunting.
Besides this, local and foreign employers are more likely to notice you if you come from a well-known university. After all, if you graduated from that university, you must be a cut above the rest, right? Having your alma mater’s reputation to back you up is especially useful when you’re just starting your career and don’t have much experience.
You Won’t Learn Everything in College.
That said, having a college degree from a good university isn’t a guarantee of success when job hunting. Today, having the right work skills just won’t cut it anymore. You also need soft skills and street smarts to land a job, something you can’t always learn in college.
Speaking from experience, I had great difficulty finding my first full-time job after graduation, despite graduating from one of the top 4 Philippine universities. Fortunately, many of the skills I learned lent themselves to writing; that’s why I’m a content writer today.
In addition, many companies have begun to reassess their stance regarding hiring employees who don’t have a degree. With the growing popularity of remote work, many tech-related and virtual assistant jobs today don’t require a degree. And the best part? These jobs have significant salary ranges.
There Are Many Ways to Develop Your Skills Without Going to College.
With how easily accessible information is these days, college isn’t the only means for you to gain new skills and hone old ones. There are plenty of sources online that you can avail of, such as online courses, seminars, and e-books. If you want to take further studies, you can take vocational courses.
After finishing an online course, for example, you will receive a certificate signifying that you passed all the requirements. Through these means, you can become proficient in your chosen career even without a degree.
Many Careers Still Require a College Degree.
However, in many jobs, having a degree is still a must if you want to be even considered for an interview. For example, if you’re applying for engineering and accounting jobs, be prepared to get a degree first. After all, you wouldn’t want someone with just basic knowledge of engineering or accounting to help plan your house or manage your finances, right?
In general, employers still favor degree-holders in positions that even those who don’t have a degree can do. So if you want to get an edge on the competition, possessing a degree is still necessary. Especially if you came from a university known to produce quality graduates.
The Future of Higher Education in a Time of Remote Work.
One of the main obstacles for many Filipinos in finding a job is the lack of a college degree. But with the changes brought by the pandemic and remote work, many are now overcoming this hurdle.
Companies have begun to see beyond which school you graduated from to what skills you have and how you can contribute to the company. And thanks to the internet, you can also learn the skills you need for a job.
Does this mean going to college, particularly a good one, is now a waste of time? Not really. Attending a good university still provides you with many, if not all, of the skills you need for your career. Not to mention some jobs still require a college degree for you to be considered.
In short, remote work hasn’t made coming from a good university irrelevant to job hunting. It has simply leveled the playing field for college graduates and non-college graduates.
