University degree guarantees nothing, forum users say

A university degree does not guarantee professional success, according to forum participants

Amid rising job insecurity and overqualification, the question of whether a university degree ensures an autonomous and successful future continues to spark intense debate. The reality, as several forum participants agree, is that no degree guarantees anything on its own. Factors such as the chosen major, specialization, practical experience, and above all, personal connections, emerge as key determinants for labor market entry, according to these testimonials. The discussion, which has lasted for an indefinite time in a forum, reveals a gap between expectations generated by higher education and the real demands of the job market, according to those involved.

Employability varies drastically depending on the major

The type of studies makes a huge difference, according to participants. STEM majors (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), along with Medicine and other health sciences, show much higher employability rates, according to several forum users. A participant with a background in chemical engineering reports that everyone who graduated with grades above 'notable' was already employed, although mostly outside Spain or for foreign companies. In contrast, degrees such as journalism, psychology, or teaching are derogatorily labeled by some as "paint and tonalidad" careers, associated with higher unemployment and underemployment, according to these comments.

However, even within disciplines with better prospects, competition is fierce, according to one participant. A computer engineer with a decade of experience notes that he prefers hiring a vocational training graduate with three years of work experience over a recent graduate, because practical knowledge makes the difference, according to his testimony. The oversupply of university graduates has devalued the diploma's worth in many sectors, according to several contributors.

The role of connections and practical experience

Beyond the degree, personal connections prove to be the true career accelerator, according to some participants. One phrase sums up this idea: degrees guarantee nothing, connections do. Practical experience and adaptability weigh more than formal education in most selection processes, according to these forum users. An interviewer with years of experience in human resources highlights that first impressions and communication skills are often more decisive than academic records, in their opinion.

Vocational Training (FP) emerges as a solid alternative and, at times, more profitable, according to several contributors. Many note that an experienced FP graduate can outperform a mediocre university graduate in salary and employability. The key lies in specialization and real market demand, not in holding a generic degree, according to these comments.

The myth of entrepreneurship and autonomy

The idea that a university degree fosters an entrepreneurial spirit and ensures an autonomous future is questioned by some participants. The university, it is argued, is more oriented towards training employees than business creators. Furthermore, bureaucracy and the lack of tax incentives in Spain discourage self-employment, according to one contributor. A participant with studies in Business Administration and Law acknowledges they were useful for acquiring knowledge, but says that if his goal had been to prepare for civil service exams or work for others, he would have chosen different training.

The debate also addresses gaps in CVs. While some recruiters penalize them, others argue they should not be an obstacle, as they may stem from personal projects or simply taking a break. The rigidity of Spanish selection processes, often based on prejudices, is criticized by several contributors.

Overqualification and labor market mismatch

Spain suffers from a structural problem of overqualification, according to some participants. More people with higher education occupy positions that do not require degrees, generating frustration and precariousness, according to these comments. A participant with over 30 years of experience abroad notes that real language proficiency, demonstrable through action, is worth more than an official certificate. Continuous learning and professional reskilling are essential in a changing market, in his opinion.

The university is perceived in many cases as a mere mechanism to mask youth unemployment figures, according to one contributor. The proliferation of master's degrees and lower academic standards have contributed to further devaluing the degree, according to some. As one contributor summarizes: university helps remove unemployed people from the statistics.

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In short, a university degree is not a guarantee of success, but just another tool, according to the debate participants. Its value depends on context, major, specialization, and above all, adaptability and networking, according to these testimonials. The recipe for professional success seems to lie in combining practical training, interpersonal skills, and a healthy dose of realism about what the market actually demands, according to the forum users.