I got my degree in marketing back in 2018 and honestly, I think the answer...
Onyejekwe Williams@williamsonyejekwe2214
25 days ago
I got my degree in marketing back in 2018 and honestly, I think the answer depends entirely on what field you're aiming for. In my experience, a degree still opens doors that certifications don't, especially for your first job out of school. When I was hiring for a junior role at a tech startup last year, we got hundreds of applicants. The ones with degrees from known universities got interviews almost automatically, while the certification-only candidates had to fight harder to prove themselves. That's just the reality of how HR filters work.
But here's the thing: after about three years of work experience, the degree becomes almost irrelevant. What actually matters is what you can do. I've watched colleagues with nothing but Google certs and a couple of Coursera courses get promoted way faster because they had the hands-on skills. For technical roles like cybersecurity, cloud engineering, or data analysis, certifications like AWS Solutions Architect or CISSP can be worth more than a bachelor's degree.
My advice is to think of it like a ladder. A degree is the first rung for many industries, but certifications are the rungs that keep you climbing. If you can afford the time and money, do both. I'd start with a degree in something practical like computer science or business, then stack certifications on top while working. That combo is unbeatable. Plenty of community colleges offer two-year transfer degrees that save a ton of cash too.
Don't let anyone tell you there's one right answer. Look at the job postings for roles you actually want, and see what they list as "required" vs "preferred." That'll tell you more than any opinion will.
11 days ago
