Introduction

Your subjective belief that you are better than 90% of those with degrees in your field is not enough to bypass formal education. The primary reason for obtaining a degree is to prove to experts that you possess the comprehensive knowledge required to excel in your profession. Simply believing in your abilities is rarely sufficient when it comes to securing a job or advancing your career.

The Fallacy of Self-Evaluation

Petty reasons you still need a degree include:

Employers often don't have full knowledge of your qualifications and abilities. Self-evaluation of your knowledge and skills is rarely valid. Without formal education, you may not have the extensive knowledge base your peers possess.

Example: Would you entrust your health to a self-taught surgeon, choose an airplane designed by someone who lacks formal engineering education, or rely on a bridge designed by someone who claims to be as knowledgeable as an engineer without the relevant experience?

Undervaluing Personal Experience

While experience can certainly be a valuable asset, it is not always enough to bypass the need for a degree. In many fields, especially those in the public sector, individuals with extensive experience may still be overlooked for roles that require a degree. For instance, a highly experienced software developer might still face challenges in advancing their career without a formal degree in the field.

Longer Answer:

Details such as a college degree function as a proxy for assessing a job candidate's knowledge and self-discipline. A degree guarantees a candidate has the necessary capacity to perform well in a role, and this has a much higher success rate than relying on self-assessment alone.

Understanding Cognitive Biases

One of the main reasons why self-assessment can be misleading is the phenomenon known as the Dunning-Kruger effect. This cognitive bias occurs when individuals with limited skills or knowledge within a specific domain overestimate their abilities due to a lack of awareness of that domain's full complexity. This can lead to an inflated view of one's own capabilities.

Cleaning it Up:

Take the example of studying for the Virginia bar exam. The task of incorporating a city is something even experienced lawyers may not fully grasp, much less an individual who has only read two or three legal self-help books. This highlights how much more knowledge is required in a field than what is accessible through self-study or common experience.

Employer Considerations and Legal Compliance

Employers prioritize efficiency in hiring, which means they often rely on degrees as a quick and effective way to gauge a candidate's overall qualifications. A degree provides a standardized benchmark against which candidates can be evaluated. Without it, employers risk hiring unqualified individuals, which can be costly in terms of time and resources.

Regarding Licensing Requirements: Depending on the field, certain professional licenses may mandate the possession of a specific degree. For example, in medicine, engineering, or law, a degree is often a prerequisite for licensure, ensuring that professionals are well-prepared and meet certain standards before practicing.

Conclusion: Ultimately, while individual talent and experience are valuable, a degree remains a crucial part of professional advancement in many fields. It acts as a validation of your knowledge and skills, and it can protect you from legal challenges related to discrimination. In many instances, the degree is not just a luxury, but a necessity in today's competitive job market.