The Paper or the Proof?

Made by me

The name’s van btw

For the longest time, the method was very simple. Go to school, graduate, get a diploma, and get a good job, whatever that is. Especially in the Philippines, where a diploma literally means a chance of getting a better life. Parents use their life savings on this, I kid you not. They invest so much in sending their children to expensive schools and colleges, just for their kid to work a 9-5 job. Don’t get me wrong, getting a diploma is a real achievement, and it still opens a lot of doors. But nowadays, that method doesn’t feel as reliable as it used to.

As the time passes, employers are gradually starting to care less about where you studied and more about what you can actually bring to the table. A few of the biggest tech firms, like Apple, have already dropped a college degree as a requirement for certain roles. I’ve seen several freelancers here who are earning good money online doing graphic design, clipping, video editing, dropshipping, and programming, and none of their clients have ever once asked for a diploma. Nobody hires a video editor because of their GPA. Instead they’ve asked for a portfolio, and sometimes they don’t even ask for one. Mind you, some of these people  are the same age as me, people who are making $20,000 a month with just a laptop and a dream. Meanwhile, many recent grads are having trouble finding work because their degree didn’t teach them the practical skills that employers are looking for.

So why should we care? Why even go to college if it doesn’t guarantee success? Well… Because a great amount of students spend years and thousands of dollars chasing a piece of paper. They were told at a young age that that piece of paper will guarantee their success. When in reality, it doesn’t, matter fact it’s frustrating and expensive. It also matters for people who are not well off and aren’t able to get the chance to get into college. Because if skills are more important than a silly ol’paper, then someone who’s a big dreamer, who puts in the work, learned on their own still has a real shot of being successful in life. That’s a pretty big deal in my country where not everyone can afford tuition if you ask me.

So here’s my take: sure, a diploma is great, but your success isn’t dependent on your diploma. It’s mostly up to you. Two students can go to the same university, get the same degree, and land in completely different places, and it’s what they did in their free time that likely set the two of them apart. Did they keep learning after the exams were over? Were they passionate about learning on their own? Did they take on any projects, internships, or side hustle jobs that taught them how the real world works?. Just goes to show that a diploma isn’t everything.

Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned didn’t come from a lecture in class. But from free online courses, earned certificates here and there in my own spare time, got hands-on experience through an internship, and started to make money through youtube clipping. Sure, it won’t show up on a diploma, but it has taught me just as much my classes have, if not more actually.

If I could do one thing differently, It would probably be the way schools approach this. Instead of treating grades as the most valuable thing like a finish line, schools should encourage students to actually do real things besides academics. Like, projects, portfolios, networking with organizations and companies. Oh, and by the way, students shouldn’t be waiting for the school to hand it to them like a silver spoon, They should also take initiative.

In a nutshell, yes, a diploma may open doors for you, but it’s you who has to walk through it, so keep on walking. The paper just tells you have finished school. But the skills you attain on the other hand prove you’re ready for what comes after.

Van’s comment: oh the irony of writing this so I look good for college admissions

Vanechka Krzystof