Would You Rather Go Into Debt Going to University With No Guarantee of a Job, or Would You Rather Get Relevant Real-World Experience for Free?

In the past, attending university was seen as the only way to secure a good job and a successful career.

However, in recent years, we have seen a shift in the way people view education. It’s reached a point where it’s safe to say… traditional ways of learning are losing relevance.

Would you rather go into debt going to university with no guarantee of a job, or would you rather get relevant real-world experience for free?

It all comes down to one simple question, would you rather go into debt going to university with no guarantee of a job, or would you rather get relevant real-world experience for free?

tl;dr

• University used to be the only way to have a successful career, however, traditional ways of learning are losing relevance.
• Today, the job market is now more competitive. 61% of all full-time “entry-level” jobs now require 3+ years of experience.
• Recruiters think too much focus on book learning is the cause. They say practical, creative skills are the way of the future.
• Use online learning and talent network platforms like Experlio to get real-world practical experience for free.

Real-World Experience Vs University Experience

Let’s back up. Before we can unpack the question, we should explore this idea of real-world experience versus university experience.

As the job market becomes more competitive, employers are now looking for candidates with practical skills that can be applied to the job from day one. Don’t believe us?

• 61% of all full-time “entry-level” jobs now require 3+ years of experience.
• Half of all recruiters we talked to said they thought too much focus on book learning was the cause.

If that’s not enough evidence employers are looking for practical skills, I don’t know what is. Truth is, university students spend years learning outdated and irrelevant theoretical concepts that may not be directly applicable to their chosen careers.

The Shift Toward Real-World Experience

So if employers are increasingly valuing candidates with real-world experience and practical, creative skills what does this mean? Is there any alternative to these increasingly irrelevant university degrees?

Yes! Luckily, online learning and talent network platforms offer an alternative way for people to learn the practical, creative skills that will help land them their first job. Let’s explore why that is.

Online talent network platforms give employees the ability to learn in the same way they will use their skills in the real-world.

As we explored earlier, employers are now looking for candidates who can hit the ground running and contribute to the company’s success from the outset. Online talent network platforms give employees the ability to learn in the same way they will use their skills in the real-world.

Think of it this way. Who would you rather hire… someone who has practiced making a different social media post for a different company every day for a month, or someone who has studied the theory of making social media posts for different companies for a month?

Easy! You’d take the person who’s been practicing making social media posts. Because they’re the ones who can immediately bring value to your business.

Who would you rather hire… someone who has practiced making a different social media post for a different company every day for a month, or someone who has studied the theory of making social media posts for different companies for a month?

The more real-world experience and practical skills an entry-level candidate has, the more valuable they are to employers.

Using Online Talent Network Platforms to Get Practical, Creative Skills

If practical, creative skills are the way of the future, then how do you go about getting them?

Simple, just head to Experlio! Experlio is a free online talent network where you can grow your skills by working on real-world projects, like this one from Peaches and Cream Bakery.

Instead of waiting to grow your skills once you’ve got a job you can start straight away, get hired sooner, and have the career you want faster!

You’ll be able to practice your skills by creating things like social media posts, logo designs, and marketing strategies for businesses just like you would in the workforce. Instead of waiting to grow your skills once you’ve got a job you can start straight away, get hired sooner, and have the career you want faster!

Not only that, online talent networks like Experlio also offer you the opportunity to get feedback on your work from a community of amazing creatives and world-class mentors.

That means you can grow your skills cheaper, faster, and more effectively than you would be able to at a traditional university.

To Summarise

In conclusion, traditional ways of learning are becoming less relevant in today’s job market.

Employers are now looking for candidates with practical skills and real-world experience that can be immediately applied to the job. Online learning and talent network platforms, such as Experlio, offer an alternative way for individuals to gain these skills.

By working on real-world projects and receiving feedback from a community of creatives and mentors, individuals can develop their skills faster and more effectively than through traditional university education.

In short, practical, creative skills are the key to landing the job of your dreams and having a successful career sooner!