Are Practical Skills More Important Than A University Degree?

There are many examples that prove that prxactical experience is better than theoretical knowledge. For example, it is impossible to teach driving or swimming theoretically without practical training. There is no doubt that you should read the instruction book, but the fact that practical application outweighs the information presented in books cannot be denied.

According to a study conducted by the British company specialized in research and statistics (YouGov), 8% of British people between the ages of 18 and 24 do not know how to use a washing machine, 69% do not know how to change the cooling system fluid, and 54% of them do not know how to replace a circuit switch. Ignorance is not grace, and young people need practical knowledge to help them in their lives, both personally and professionally.

Why are practical skills so important for college students?

Let's take a quick look at some of the ways in which practical skills are more important than a college degree.

These five things will help you decide what is more important in the new economy: a degree or a practical skill.

1. Knowledge applications

The information books offer is undoubtedly important, as mentioned previously, because it provides great awareness of new materials, topics, and ideas shared by successful people. Regardless, the development of practical skills is more important than the information presented in books, as it provides the opportunity for a person to apply what they have learned in real life.

That's why the recipe lying on the kitchen table and the actual ability to cook a meal are so different, and the student excited about studying nursing and the one who can actually apply medical support to save someone's life are so different.

2. Building confidence

What distinguishes practical skills is that you can use them whenever necessary, and this allows the person to build their confidence. It becomes less dependent on the help of others, so when they face a challenge,they can rely on themselves to face the hardships.

For example, one person wishes to go on an adventure through the Amazon jungle, and they have read all the books that have been published to date about the harsh conditions inside the jungle. On the other hand, we have a person who has been working as a tour guide for many years.

Without further discussion, when we talk about survival, the tour guide's acquired skills and knowledge will guarantee that both will, if necessary, make it to safety.

3. Practical experience compliments theoretical knowledge

Some theories and hypotheses are presented in curricula to test students, followed by real information gathered from actual work. While books and resources can broaden students' perceptions, they do not make them competent unless they apply the knowledge in practice.

Most workplaces these days are looking for inspiring young people who, regardless of their educational qualifications, must have real projects or results to prove themselves. Someone who has the knowledge to finish a set of tasks has better chances than an excellent student with little work experience.

4. Experiential Education

In recent years, parents have increasingly requested that schools pay more attention to and focus on practical skills when teaching their children, and experiential learning is one of the approaches. Students and teachers can collaborate to create a supportive environment that promotes the teaching and application of ideas and concepts in practice.

Manual assignments are given to students so they can interact with the materials around them and produce realistic results. Although mistakes can happen to students, they are important for the learning process. As a result, they can learn from their mistakes and perform better on subsequent tasks.

Nowadays, most students use the service of having theory assignments written so they can devote their time to more significant projects.

5. Personal development

Through experiential learning, students are able to learn from their past mistakes, which helps them avoid repeating them. The same principles apply to the application of practical skills.

If a mistake is made, it will be made in the form of helpful feedback that is received right away and motivates the offender to look for alternative solutions or a fresh approach to the issue at hand. The subject turns into a never-ending learning process, and the more you apply your knowledge in practical situations, the more successful you will be in every endeavor.

In conclusion

Practical skills not only represent outcomes and requirements but also help students interact with others more effectively by fostering their social skills. Practical application helps students become more familiar with real-world situations, while books and curricula can occasionally isolate students from the outside world. They can learn the information for themselves and see it put to use.