We witness a parallel reality of individuals who, without formal qualifications or permissions, have learned new skills and become wealthy. Whether it’s programming or maritime welding, it still feels challenging for us to reconcile the idea of a person achieving economic success without a degree.

The Rising Value of Future Skills

Today, there is much talk about “future skills”—those in high demand that bring significant rewards. Many people consider learning these skills to supplement their income or simply for personal growth, but finding the time to learn and master something new can be challenging, especially if one isn’t particularly passionate about the subject.

It has long been proven that having passion for a subject makes a significant difference. If we take two individuals, one with passion and one without, and teach them to “break rocks,” after 10,000 hours, one will be a mason and the other a sculptor (with no disrespect to masons).

A “skill” is a talent applied in a specific domain. For example, if someone has a talent for communication, they could consider careers as a priest, politician, lawyer, or TV anchor. Although talent is the foundation, each of these careers requires different skills. The priest preaches, the politician advocates, the lawyer represents, and the TV anchor presents (or represents). I mention this because most people I encounter don’t differentiate between talent and skill, using the terms interchangeably. It’s important to note that while skills can generate income, talent has inherent value. When we learn skills that align with our talents, we truly make a difference.

The Need for Identity in Work

Returning to the topic of skills, it’s true that certain skills are currently in short supply, but it’s difficult to believe that talent itself is scarce (because everyone has talent). In this era where we all want to personalize our roles and companies want to differentiate their approaches, it’s necessary to accept that the lack of skills isn’t solely due to market inefficiency; it’s also because our work must be identity-driven. People still want their work and the way they do it to be distinctive and recognizable, conferring a sense of status.

Balancing Education and Skills

From my perspective, it’s not a matter of choosing one or the other. We need a college degree to build study habits, and we must also find alternative ways to learn and socialize, exploring the recombinations that will make us increasingly unique. The future of work isn’t just about possessing skills; it’s about integrating those skills with our passions and talents to carve out a unique identity in our professional lives.

As we move forward, the narrative must shift from the traditional emphasis on degrees to a broader understanding of skills and their application. This shift will enable individuals to thrive in an ever-changing job market, where the ability to learn and adapt is as crucial as any formal qualification. Embracing this dual approach—valuing both education and skills—will be key to navigating the complexities of the future workplace.

By embracing a combination of traditional education and the pursuit of new skills, individuals can better position themselves for success in a rapidly evolving job market. The focus should be on continual learning and adapting, ensuring that our skills and talents are aligned with our career aspirations. In doing so, we can not only meet the demands of today’s economy but also anticipate and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.