Laureen joined journalism after pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance. Having completed school, she searched for jobs in her area of study but in vain. That’s why she never hesitated when an opportunity in a media firm arose.

Her ability to land this job was due to her excellent writing skills. And because of this, the employer considered skills and not her qualifications.

It is over eight years working in the media, and her skills and passion are now in journalism as opposed to what she studied.

Just like Maureen, many people are actually succeeding in professionals that are altered from their academic qualifications.

Nonetheless this doesn’t negate the fact that most jobs require both experience and qualification.

Some career experts say that better educated workers have lower rates of unemployment. Higher education is especially important for people early in their careers. As you move along, job experience and the acquisition of new skills can take on added weight.

What then should employers consider when it comes to hiring the right candidates?

For Yvonne Ingabire, an experienced banker, considering both education and experience can vary from field to field. Although a graduate degree can be important for some jobs, it may not be valuable for others.

She carries on that most university students study to pass exams, they are smart in books but lack soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, decision-making, stress management, and so forth.

Gaining experience allows you to advance with hands-on skills. Everyone deserves to be prepared for the workplace and a degree doesn’t replace a lack of real-life experience, Ingabire adds.

She urges graduates to widen their knowledge by pursuing other certificates to boost their knowledge.

For her, experience gives one access to network with other people who have been in that field, hence opening one to learning. With experience, you are able to avoid common mistakes of career planning as well, she adds.

"Although a degree qualification was once a major deciding factor with who got the job, as time has passed by, a number of people now have degrees and employers have become less impressed and have focused more on experience. Practical experience offers a real consideration of a company’s procedure,” she says.

The banker points out that work experience can make you a good match for a particular job today, but without higher education, you may lack the skills that are important for advancement in the future.

Engineer Linda Brighet explains that for recent graduates, it is advisable to gain more professional experience, for example undertaking internships, obtaining temporary or casual work or participate in volunteer positions.

Online study provides a range of opportunities to candidates seeking to grow their knowledge and their options, she adds.

The engineer carries on that when experience is blended with qualifications, it prepares you for future job opportunities. Having both qualifications and experience will just fascinate an employer to read through your CV.