Episode: 759

Episode Title: To Skill or School?

College isn’t always needed, but it still may be important in helping inexperienced young people to build in-demand skills. More on this, next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 759 show:

Welcome to The Perna Syndicate. I am Mark Perna, and I am happy to have you! Though the fast-growing practice of skills-first hiring may seem to knock college out of the picture, it really doesn’t. Skills are the deciding factor, and those can still be acquired at a traditional university.

The shift is this: college no longer reigns supreme as the single litmus test to find the right person for the role. Traditional education and hiring systems worked for a long time, but now there’s a massive opportunity to grow when we tweak our mindset. 

For those currently figuring out their career direction, I’d recommend looking at LinkedIn’s recent list of in-demand abilities, including soft skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving, as well as hard skills like digital marketing and financial analysis. 

Try to create a list of positions you’d like to apply for and assess the skills needed for those roles. Then, make a plan to learn. This is where many people jump into college to build their skills, but it’s no longer the only way. In addition to the college option, consider taking online courses or certificate programs, seeking opportunities to learn in your current job, and finding ways to volunteer. 

There are opportunities everywhere to skill up, and they’re not only to be found at school.

Next time: How does skills-based hiring affect you? We’ll see you next time for that conversation on The Perna Syndicate. Until then, take care!