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Academic vs Experience

By  Chew Cai Yi - February 28,2023

 

KAJANG: In the ongoing discussion between real-world experience and academic learning, there is the eternal question: which has more impact? It's a dilemma that many of us encounter regularly throughout our careers.

 

Your capacity to pursue higher education merely showcases your academic proficiency, but it doesn't guarantee competence or immediate real-world success. Conversely, through work experience, employers can accurately assess your abilities and swiftly integrate you into the role. However, the absence of a university degree may impede future career advancement opportunities. According to studies on employment opportunities examined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there is a common theme that people with higher levels of education tend to have higher incomes and lower unemployment rates.


Knowledge trumps experience.


"When you do this course at university, you will learn about the industry, and that this knowledge will help you to establish yourself in the industry more quickly. It would be tough to struggle in this industry based on experience alone." Said by land surveyor, Chew Koon Chuan.


Chew Koon Chuan has worked as a land surveyor for almost 40 years, claiming that he started studying the profession through hands-on experience as soon as he graduated from high school and continued his schooling after a few years in the field. He believes that education is always the most important thing.


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According to Chew Koon Chuan, without knowledge, a person must rely solely on experience, which can be more difficult.

 

He adds that large organizations like IJM give more importance to the qualifications of their employees. For example, the company pays him a higher salary after he earns a Master's in business.


Experience wins bosses' favor.

 

Julie, currently working as a quantity surveyor for a construction company, says that she didn't enter the industry right after she graduated, but started her own business almost 10 years ago.

 

 “As long as we can do that job then the boss is good to keep hiring you, the boss likes nothing better than to have someone who can help him do that thing well.” Said by quantity surveyor, Julie.

 

When she decided to go back to the construction industry, she realized that no company would hire her despite her diploma. That’s why she feels that experience will be more important than a diploma!


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Julie says, "If you've got a great degree but you don't have the experience and you don't know how to do anything, the bosses won't want you."

 

 “Although bosses will prefer to hire experienced people, they will hire you at a lower salary, but if you have a diploma and experience then you can ask for a higher starting salary.” Said by quantity surveyor, Julie.


Experience is the best teacher.


Elovis, who has been studying Chinese medicine in China for five years and is currently in her internship, is of the opinion that experience is more important than qualifications in this profession.

 

  “Every day, I receive different patients, and the nature and illness of each patient are different, whereas the illnesses in the textbooks are only one type of illness.” Said by Elovis.

 

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Elovis says, "patients don't get sick according to textbooks."

 

When asked if a PhD would be more competitive than a master's degree, she said that in fact, the patients in the clinic are all on commission, so there is not much difference in salary.


You can make money without a diploma.


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Yip Cheng Yun says, “Today, e-commerce is accessible to everyone, whether you're a homemaker or a student. Just grab your smartphone."

 

Yip Cheng Yun, a Marketing student at APU, is currently selling beaded bracelets on Lazada and Shopee. She firmly believes that experience outweighs degrees. In this age of technology, starting a business doesn't require a substantial amount of money or a diploma. Moreover, you can easily access online resources to learn valuable e-commerce tips.

 

Media industry values hands-on experience more.

 

Debbie is currently studying for a Bachelor in Broadcasting at UTAR. She believes that experience is more important than education in the broadcasting industry because the only way to truly understand it is to explore and study it yourself.


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Debbie emphasizes that " In the classroom, you only scratch the surface, but hands-on experience lets you dive deeper and gain a better understanding."

 

Debbie also mentioned that she is currently working on short video editing and emphasized the importance of this experience. She believes that experience is especially needed in industries that require a hands-on and creative approach because she feels that while teachers impart valuable knowledge in the classroom, that knowledge is limited, and gaining practical skills through hands-on editing is essential for growth in this field

 

Balance is essential.


Both qualifications and experience are invaluable, and it's crucial to strike a balance between the two. In interviews, all participants concurred on their significance. Debbie emphasized that qualifications, particularly for recent graduates, can significantly enhance one's prospects, potentially resulting in higher salaries.

 

According to Lukas Tuma's post on LinkedIn, a business and employment-oriented social media platform, it's crucial for job seekers to continuously update their skill sets, actively pursue internships or part-time opportunities, and commit to lifelong learning. Engaging in internships, volunteering, or freelance projects can effectively bridge the experience gap, enabling individuals to attain practical experience while pursuing their educational objectives.

 

 

 

 
 
 

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