Introduction: The Changing World of Work
When I meet university students, one of the most common questions I hear is:
“Sir, I have a degree—why is it still so hard to get a good job?”
For decades, the formula was simple:
- Get into a university.
- Graduate with a degree.
- Land an entry-level job.
- Build expertise through promotions.
But today, that ladder is missing a few rungs.
Research from Harvard economists covering 62 million workers shows that firms adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) are hiring 22% fewer junior employees. The steepest hiring drops are in wholesale, retail, and the very white-collar roles that graduates once relied on.
This isn’t just “no demand for average people.”
It’s no entry for average credentials.
As a coach, I tell my students:
“The future doesn’t ask where you studied—it asks what you can do.”
Why Degrees Are Losing Their Value
1. Credentials as Signals Are Breaking Down
Degrees used to be powerful signals. Employers didn’t know your skills, so they trusted your university’s name.
But now companies can test you directly—through projects, portfolios, and proof-of-work. The proxy has lost its power.
2. AI Boosts Productivity, But Not Judgment
AI is a powerful assistant. A junior analyst can use AI to build financial models in minutes. But here’s the real test:
- Can they recognise when the numbers don’t reflect reality?
- Can they connect insights across industries?
- Can they detect shifts in the environment?
These are judgment calls—skills AI cannot replace.
“Tools can make you faster, but only wisdom makes you right.”
3. The Mid-Tier Squeeze
- Elite universities still open doors thanks to brand and alumni networks.
- Bottom-tier colleges survive by serving local needs.
- Tier 2 and Tier 3 schools, however, are squeezed the hardest. They produced the majority of white-collar workers, but their degrees no longer guarantee entry-level jobs.
And for the 26-year-old carrying student debt, this is not a theory—it’s a crisis.
What This Means for Graduates and Postgraduates
When I run workshops with students, I often ask:
“If degrees are losing value, what do you have that makes you stand out?”
Most look at me with hesitation. And that’s okay. Because the answer isn’t in the past—it’s in what you start building today.
Here are the steps every graduate and postgraduate can take right now:
Step 1: Build a Strong Portfolio
Your degree may get you noticed, but your portfolio gets you hired.
- For coders: publish on GitHub.
- For designers: showcase on Behance.
- For writers: post on Medium or LinkedIn.
- For analysts: share dashboards, case studies, or research.
I tell my mentees:
“A project in your portfolio speaks louder than a line on your CV.”
Step 2: Learn AI—but Add Your Own Judgment
Yes, you should learn AI tools. But don’t stop there. Employers are looking for the human layer—critical thinking, problem-solving, and judgment.
Ask yourself:
- Can I spot when AI is wrong?
- Can I explain complex ideas simply?
- Can I frame the right problem before solving it?
Step 3: Seek Audition-Style Opportunities
The hiring game is shifting. Instead of degrees, companies want proof-of-work in action.
- Freelancing projects, part-time consulting, internships—they’re the new auditions.
- Even if it’s small, each project adds credibility.
I once coached a student who struggled to land interviews. We built a portfolio of small freelance projects. Within six months, he had three offers—not because of his degree, but because of his demonstrated work.
Step 4: Commit to Continuous Learning
The world no longer rewards “one-time learners.”
- Take micro-certifications (Google, AWS, Microsoft).
- Learn industry-specific tools in your field.
- Invest in soft skills: leadership, adaptability, communication.
Remember:
“Your degree is your foundation. Your lifelong learning is the building you live in.”
Step 5: Build Networks, Not Just Resumes
When I interact with hiring managers, I hear this again and again:
“We trust recommendations more than CVs.”
That’s why networks matter.
- Join communities, professional groups, and alumni networks.
- Find mentors who can guide you.
- Attend events, webinars, hackathons.
Opportunities often come through people, not job boards.
Alternate Career Opportunities in the AI Era
Not everyone needs to join a big corporate. In fact, many students I coach find greater success in alternative paths.
1. Freelance & Gig Economy
Skill-first platforms like Upwork and Fiverr reward competence, not degrees.
2. Entrepreneurship & Startups
AI has lowered the cost of starting a business. Students can launch services, apps, or consultancies with minimal capital.
3. Creator Economy
Blogging, YouTube, and online teaching can turn knowledge into income. I know students who earn more from teaching coding on YouTube than from a corporate salary.
4. Domain + Tech Hybrids
- Finance graduates with AI skills → fintech analysts.
- Law graduates with AI skills → legaltech innovators.
- Doctors with data skills → healthtech leaders.
5. Social Impact Roles
NGOs, governments, and international bodies increasingly seek data-driven talent for public good.
How the Education System Must Transform
As someone who often collaborates with universities, I see the gap clearly: we are preparing students for jobs that no longer exist.
Here’s how education must evolve:
- From Marks to Portfolios – Every graduate should leave with proof-of-work, not just transcripts.
- From Final-Year Projects to Industry Projects – Universities must partner with companies for real challenges.
- From Memorisation to Critical Thinking – Teach students how to question, test, and synthesise.
- From Fixed Curriculum to Modular Learning – Let students mix AI with finance, design with psychology, law with technology.
- From Local Degrees to Global Credentials – Integrate certifications from global platforms into the university experience.
“Education must prepare students for the future they will face, not the past we are nostalgic about.”
The New Career Path
The old path looked like this:
Degree → Junior Role → Steady Promotion
The new path looks like this:
Portfolio → Paid Audition → Accelerated Growth
This is not theory—it’s already happening in AI-driven companies.
Conclusion: Building Your Own Proof of Work
To every student and young professional reading this, here’s my message:
- Don’t wait for your degree to “unlock” a career.
- Start building your proof-of-work now.
- Use AI wisely, but bring your judgment to the table.
- Stay curious, keep learning, and expand your network.
The credential collapse is real. But it is not the end of opportunity. In fact, it’s the start of a new era—where your skills, your creativity, and your resilience matter more than ever.
“The world doesn’t need more degrees. It needs more doers, thinkers, and leaders. Be one of them.”
If you wanna share your experiences, you can find me online in all your favorite places LinkedIn and Facebook. Shoot me a DM, a tweet, a comment, or whatever works best for you. I’ll be the one trying to figure out how to read books and get better at playing ping pong at the same time.
Thoughts To Inspire 