For years, Kenyan students have been told that a university degree is the key to a successful career. But is a degree alone enough to secure a job in today's competitive labour market?

Multiple arguments on the importance of a degree have been made in recent years, with the middle ground yet to be struck between a generation that only required a college degree to live their dream and one that believes much more can be achieved without one.

The reality, however, may lie somewhere in between. A degree still matters, but having one does not automatically guarantee employment or career success.

Does a University Degree Increase Your Earning Potential in Kenya?

According to a World Bank analysis using data from the Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey (KIHBS) 2015, going to university in Kenya was associated with a 148% increase in wages compared with having no education. The analysis also found a 64% increase in wages for individuals who had reached secondary education compared with those with no education.

These figures show that education continues to have a significant relationship with earning potential.

This might as well prove that despite many successful micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) being run by people without college degrees, there is still hope for the student pursuing higher education.

But in an ever-growing population such as ours, it would be nothing short of a fallacy to claim that jobs are guaranteed upon completion of tertiary education.

A degree can open opportunities, but it cannot guarantee that you will be the person selected when hundreds or even thousands of other qualified graduates are competing for the same position.

Why a Degree Alone Is No Longer Enough

Success delayed is not success denied, but this should never be an excuse to begin the work journey only after graduating.

A good degree is often accompanied by extra skills and experiences that set you apart from the rest. Imagine attending a major interview at a big company or institution only to find out that a thousand more people have applied.

You all read through the requirements and saw that the baseline was having a degree. You attended thinking, “That's enough to get me in.”

But someone else was already busy collecting achievements and building a portfolio way before the interview.

They may have completed internships, worked on personal projects, volunteered for organisations, learned digital skills, taken professional courses or gained experience through freelance work.

When the interview panel starts comparing candidates, that additional experience can become the difference.

The decision made by the panel will often come down to a simple question: Who can demonstrate that they can actually do the job?

This is where many graduates find themselves disadvantaged. They have the academic qualification, but little evidence of what they can do beyond the classroom.

The Skills Kenyan Employers Are Looking For

So yes, the degree will get you to the door, but you will need more than the degree to unlock it.

The Federation of Kenyan Employers' skills survey conducted in 2023 highlighted the importance of skills such as effective communication, critical thinking, teamwork and time management among enterprises. The report shed light on the critical intersection between education and the skills demanded by industry.

This does not mean that academic education has become irrelevant.

Far from it.

A degree can provide analytical ability, theoretical knowledge and a foundation for understanding your chosen profession. In some careers, it is also an essential requirement.

The problem begins when students assume that the qualification itself is the finished product.

It isn't.

Your degree should be part of your professional identity, not the entirety of it.

Why Students Should Build Experience Before Graduation

One of the biggest advantages a student can give themselves is starting early.

School holidays should not only be about waiting for the next semester. They can also be an opportunity to gain experience, experiment with different interests and discover what the job market actually demands.

For a student studying communication, for example, this could mean writing articles, managing social media pages, producing videos, volunteering with an organisation or building a personal portfolio.

For someone studying finance, it could mean gaining practical experience with accounting software, working on financial projects or assisting a small business.

For a technology student, it could mean developing applications, contributing to projects or building a portfolio that demonstrates their technical ability.

The same principle applies across different professions.

You do not necessarily have to wait for someone to give you your first opportunity.

Sometimes, you have to create the evidence that shows why someone should give you one.

Build Your Professional Identity Before Graduation

Building a portfolio while still in school gives you higher ground and more traction when you eventually enter the job market.

Someday, that portfolio will serve as evidence of your work outside the study environment.

Instead of telling a potential employer that you are hardworking, creative, analytical or good at communication, you can show them.

And showing is often more powerful than telling.

Your portfolio does not have to be impressive from day one. It simply needs to demonstrate growth.

Start with small projects. Take internships when possible. Volunteer. Learn new skills. Attend professional events. Network with people in your industry. Take relevant short courses. Work on personal projects and document what you accomplish.

Every experience adds another layer to your professional identity.

So, Is a Degree Still Worth It?

Yes.

But a degree should no longer be viewed as a guaranteed ticket to employment.

The modern graduate needs a combination of education, practical skills, experience, adaptability and evidence of what they can do.

There are successful entrepreneurs who never went to university, just as there are highly successful professionals whose careers were built on strong academic foundations.

The lesson is not that students should abandon university.

The lesson is that education should be accompanied by action.

Graduation should not be the moment you begin building your professional identity. It should be the moment you showcase what you have already built.

The degree can get you to the door.

Your skills, experience and ability to demonstrate your value may be what ultimately gets you through it.