Is the degree a delusion in the AI era?
(and I don’t say this un-necessarily negatively) - for the follwoing reasons:
- The traditional degree is no longer the golden ticket it once was. In fact, it was never a golden ticket. Outcomes were never equal.
- I’ve seen it myself. Students investing five precious years in high education, only to falter at the most basic hurdle - interview preparation - and end up not employed in their field.
- Raw adaptable skills in a lot of arena’s will crush academic credentials and the employers are telling us this. They’re looking for people who can build, create, and execute work - not necessarily those who merely studied.
- This isn’t to declare degrees worthless. For certain professions - medicine, law, engineering - they remain an essential foundation. But what about all the generalist degrees like business or arts or humanities. Hmm… not so sure on those.
- Paradoxically, AI may make degree programs MORE rigorous and demanding, as they attempt to fend off the power of AI. This will make degree programs even risker for those included in them. And if you do learn AI, how do you feel about it being banned or severely limited in the way you approach work? It could seem silly in time.
The question isn’t whether you get a degree.
The question is, will a degree best prepare you for the world you’re going into?
It’s a lead indicator.
You should look a profession and make the judgement. If I do this degree, will I end up better off in the long run?
In some cases the answer will be yes. In others it’ll be no.
Things to think through as you assess the value of a degree:
To what extent will AI impact the value of a degree
- If a degree takes 3-5 years to complete and AI is doubling its capacity every 6 months - what do you think it’s value will be in 5-10 years or longer?
- How broad and generally useful are the skills you’d learn doing that degree? If the occupation you want to work in was completely replaced would it still be useful to study it?
The relative costs of getting the education vs not getting the education
- University degrees are expensive.
- Is the investment of time, and the compounded financial impact of the debt worth it over the term of your life?
- Think about the time commitment. Are you satisfied that 3-5 years taken to study a degree is worthy when compared to other options?
- Will getting the degree improve your chances of getting meaningful employment and how does that compare to other approaches?
- Is there another pathway available to you to also get what you want - or find something even better? You should have this in the back of your mind.
Understanding the relative merits of learning theory over acting
- Degrees are predominantly structured around knowledge and it’s application in tests and assignments.
- Employers won’t necessarily employ you just because you’re book smart. They’ll want a broad range of socialised skills, in individuals that can build, fix, sell and execute.
- Skills are what you do, not what you’ve memorised.
- Will a degree - against all other options - maximise your skill stack?
Conclusion
The decision to pursue a degree in the AI era must be strategic, not automatic.
Here's what you can do right now:
- Conduct a cost benefit analysis specific to what you do: Research employment rates, salaries, and career progression for graduates versus self-taught professionals.
- Identify your learning style: If you thrive in structured environments with guided learning, a degree may still be valuable. If you learn best through practice and real world application, consider alternatives.
- Build a skills portfolio regardless of your path: Document projects, create a digital presence, and demonstrate your abilities through tangible work.
- Develop an AI literacy plan: Regardless of your field, understand how to leverage AI tools as accelerators rather than threats.
- Connect with professionals in your target field: Ask them directly about the value of degrees versus skills in their hiring decisions.
- Consider hybrid approaches: Many institutions now offer micro-credentials, certificates, or specialised programs that take less time than traditional degrees; and
- Finally: Ask yourself the question if that course - or profession - or path is even going to be relevant in the medium to long term. Be honest with yourself, and is there a path you could forge yourself (?) - and is that something worth exploring?
The future will not necessarily belog to the most credentialed in an AI world. It may simply be those that are the most adaptable. Your education (at a minimum) should be an investment in adaptability, not just a checkbox on a resume.
AI is not necessary going to care about the status of your degree.