Career Growth Dilemma: Is Passion or a Premier Degree More Crucial for Success?

Hello all,

In a corporate scenario, what will help an employee to grow in their careers - a degree from a premier institute or their performance at work and their passion for their profession?

Thank you,
Cheers,
Anshul

Hi Anshul (my LinkedIn friend)!!!

The question posted by you is quite relevant these days, especially because most of us are looking for a job change for various reasons and not coming across a lot of job openings. This is why we have started introspecting if we need to upgrade ourselves in terms of knowledge or skills.

I believe that not having a degree from a premier institute will land you a job, but may not give you the opportunity to scale faster in the corporate scenario. Also, I believe that just an MBA or part-time MBA may deprive you of the chance to work in a strategic role, something like C&B or PMS, etc. A degree from a premier institute may help you get into a strategic role which is more macro in nature. Also, it will help you to become "recession-proof," since larger organizations will require your services even in bad times. Hence, I feel it is important to gain a degree from a premier institute. Of course, you need to have a passion for your work, but a combination of these will give you that extra thrust that you require in your career.

Hope I have answered your question.

Regards,

Sanket Malhotra

Hello Anshul,

I recently interviewed a few freshers for a very "interesting Profile" related to Project Management. I was surprised to see that a couple of them graduated from the best colleges in the whole of India (known worldwide too - PSG Tech) and also completed their 10th and 12th grades from good schools in the city (Stanes), but were not fit for the position because they lacked the drive required to take up a career. (Only a few candidates, not everyone from PSG/Stanes).

On the other hand, I met a very motivated fresher who is down to earth, has the ability to learn and adapt to a new environment, and has a career objective. The graduates from the good institute came up with "Ma'am, I have no objective..." but were not from the oh-so-good institutes.

He was the final selection, and yes, we will be hiring him!

I would not say that the institutes should not be considered. Of course, a person with the passion and drive would be able to decide and plan his courses from the best institutes. But in our current scenario, money matters a lot. Someone with a strong financial background can have a good chance of making it to good institutes, whereas a few others lack the basic good training because they were not able to start off with good schools/colleges.

Dear Anshul,

Your question implies that one is already in a job; in which case, performance is more important. However, as situations can change, a degree from a premier institute could be either an advantage or a drawback depending upon the situation. If the present boss is replaced by one who has less qualification than the worker in question, it could be a drawback as the boss may not want a highly qualified person working for him/her. But if he is replaced by one with a degree from the same premier institution, it could be an advantage.

Have a nice day.

Simhan
A retired academic in the UK

Hi,

To get a job in the relevant field, an equivalent degree matters. After a certain level of experience, it is your performance, knowledge, and skills that are considered to help you move up the ladder. As the famous saying goes, "What gets you here may not get you there," one needs to continually upgrade oneself. This could involve learning a new skill, obtaining a certification, or earning a degree, etc.

Regards,
Anshu

In today's world, a degree counts much more than experience. I have seen people who don't have knowledge but possess a degree and are working with reputable corporations. Not only this, they are even working at senior levels while those who are talented and knowledgeable are struggling to find decent jobs for themselves. To me, at the end of the day, it's the degree that counts, not the passion. It's just a corporate gimmick used these days that passion has to be there, whereas in reality, the degree holds significant value.

Hi Anshul,

In my opinion, both passion and a degree from a premier institute complement each other. However, there are many cases where only passion can work miracles.

Passion forms the basis of one's growth and performance. Without passion, one can never achieve great success in their professional life, regardless of their qualifications.

It must be acknowledged that for many reputable companies, a degree from a premier institute holds significant importance. However, this does not mean that HRs are being deceived.

The importance also heavily relies on the role one holds within the organization. Many reputable companies offer sponsored programs where they send their talented professionals for further studies at the company's expense. This helps them excel in their field, delivering enhanced performance driven by both passion and specialized knowledge.

For corporate positions in top companies, only IITs/IIMs are considered. There is a common perception that individuals from such premier institutes possess refined knowledge, leadership skills, and other qualities sought after by corporations. Conversely, the ratio is comparatively lower for individuals from other institutions.

Considering the statistics, it is observed that many people, even those in senior positions, leave their jobs to pursue higher studies at premier institutes in India or abroad. Subsequently, they return to the corporate world with renewed energy, enhanced knowledge, and a higher skill level.

Education is a valuable asset for everyone, providing a competitive edge.

Your question is complex, and there is no one definitive answer; it varies. The above were my thoughts.

Best Wishes!

Arti :)

Hi Anshul!

Well, your question is a good one. A degree from a premier institute does matter when one is beginning one's career. It pays well when you possess a degree that you can flaunt, but ultimately, it's your zeal and your passion at work that decide your career track. There have been instances where people with average IQ or those without exceptional grades have made their mark in their respective fields, while those with the coveted degrees are just stagnant in their jobs.

To excel, one needs to love their work because if you are passionate about what you are doing, you never get bored. Instead, it drives you further to explore your potential and in the process, you learn while enjoying being on the job.

People have differences of opinions. I just said what I believe.

Regards,
Priyanka

Hello Anshul,

In a corporate scenario, I believe his/her performance at work and his/her passion for the profession really matter a lot. Getting a degree or graduating from a premier institute is good; it provides comfort and support to some extent for the individual or employee. However, it also creates an expectation for the employer right from the beginning regarding his/her performance, which must be delivered at an outstanding level.

Being passionate about one's work and consistently performing well, with interdependence in one's approach towards the organization, is always crucial.

"Studies streamline you, but performance stabilizes you."

Hi Anshul,

I truly believe that a degree from a reputed/premier institute won't be of any help in long-term career success. You might have a good start (with a good company) by showcasing your premier institute degree, but after a while, you have to have a passion for your work. You should be in love with your work; only then can you succeed in life.

Of course, don't forget some of the most successful people (Bill Gates, Ratan Tata, etc.) in the world have never been to IIMs or IITs, for that matter. So, it's your passion that matters, not your qualifications in the long run.

Komal

Performance in the job (since you are already in it) will mean more. Only if you are a fresher will the degree help. Once in a job, performance only counts. If you can enhance it with a degree from a premier institute, it adds weightage to your profile.

I think a mix of all three is very important. Performance is a continuous requirement in work whether junior level or senior level. People in mid-career strive for better opportunities - to achieve this, not only a degree or necessary qualification is required but also passion. Passion may not be there initially - it is something that is driven by performance, curiosity to learn and know more. Exactly at this point, doing a professional course from a premier institute will help to broaden perspective, and the individual can implement skills in his/her organization accordingly.

Hi Anshul,

Passion is an individual's trait. Passion will definitely get you many degrees. A degree from a premier institute, on the other hand, need not necessarily induce passion. If one has to weigh both of these, then a passionate person has a better chance of being innovative, taking initiative, self-motivated, committed, loyal, and much more.

All the great scientists in the world are honored by these premier institutes with doctorates just for their passion towards work; they are not famous because they have graduated from premier institutes. You could write a book on this. In the current scenario, to be really successful and to really sit on top, graduate from a premier institute in your passionate area; there's no looking back.

But if you are already working, and if you really have a passion for what you are doing, then don't worry about anything else; you are already on the path to being successful.

Thanks,
Uday IBM India 9900615615

A degree or a PGDBM from a premier business school and competence in one's area of work are a necessary combination to excel in one's chosen area of work. Both of these are very essential for moving up the corporate ladder.

However, I personally know of at least four very good examples of individuals who reached the top without having any qualifications from a business school.

1. He is a plain graduate and joined a very reputed computer manufacturing company as a steno. In about 15 years, he became Vice President of Procurement.

2. He is a plain graduate. Starting as an officer in the Accounts Department, he has become VP of Corporate Finance in a reputed company.

3. He is a plain B.Com graduate from Delhi University. Of course, he is also the "Maalik" of his company. Nevertheless, he is now the JMD & CEO of a leader in the interior infrastructure business.

In interactions with highly qualified individuals, he truly demonstrates his competence and awareness equivalent to 5 PGDBMs from the most premier business schools all rolled into one.

4. He is only an engineer. Starting as a supervisor, he became the President of a company in just about 12 years.

These are examples of people who have really worked hard, applied themselves, and driven themselves to reach the top.

They did not require any qualifications from a premier business school to achieve their goals.

What Ash has said is also quite true. I too happened to interview some candidates from a reputed business school near Delhi, for positions in HR.

I asked one of the candidates what he understood by Standing Orders.

He just stood up erect and said, "Yes, Sir!!!"

Cheers!!!

Vasant Nair

What I have seen in corporate scenarios is that people generally give more importance to the experience of the candidate rather than his educational qualifications. Therefore, it could be better if one tries to gain experience rather than just adding degrees behind their name.

I think a combination of both. If you have a degree from a premium institute and no passion, your degree alone may not make you successful. A degree from a premium institute doesn't mean that your knowledge levels are extraordinarily high. However, in life, to succeed you need the application of knowledge (whatever little you may have). This application is driven by attitude, passion...

Many of the bigger scientific discoveries were not made by great knowledgeable persons, but by ordinary individuals who were inquisitive and passionate about discovering a new idea and making it workable. Recently, I read in newspapers that even one of TATA's CEOs said they do not give preference to IIT graduates from premium institutes as they lack creativity and teamwork when working in groups. Instead, they prefer new recruits from ordinary institutes who are willing to walk the extra mile and are self-motivated to apply themselves.

Hi Everyone,

This question is very relevant to me. After my 14 years of service in both the service and manufacturing industries in customer service, director's office assistant, and PPC, I have recently changed my organization and my profile as well. Although I don't have a professional qualification, I have been approached by this organization to join them in HR as an Assistant Manager. The director of this new company used to visit my previous office, and based on my presentation skills and working feedback in that organization, they felt that I could do very well in HR.

Even though I have decided to pursue an MBA in HR, I believe that my current position and where I am now are simply due to my passion and commitment to my work. I think that having a professional degree is not the only factor in achieving success in life. One should have basic intellect and a passion to delve deeply into every assignment they take on in life.

Mandeep

Hi, I think experience and passion for work are important than a degree. Every employer has to earn money, and every department needs individuals with such qualities. Then why do we have to hire a degree holder?

Dear Anshul,

Though from which angle you had this doubt is still uncertain (from an HR point of view or a candidate's point of view), passion or motivation (one's natural liking to do something) can get a person almost everything in the job - hard work, untiring industry, improving his talents, skills, and competencies, etc. A degree from a premier institute can help a long way. Again, an MBA from IIM-A without motivation or passion will not help.

Please find out how many CEOs in India are just graduates. I've personally worked with a couple of them who were just BA graduates. They never seemed to have any demerits because of the lack of a great degree.

Thanks,

B S Sekhar Business Head Mars Consultants Coimbatore 9894048600

Hi Anshul,

Your question is very good. What I think matters more is knowledge rather than a degree because it's a time of multitasking. If we hire people based on degrees, then we hire people of one specific skill. However, if we are open to hiring people who have practical knowledge, then obviously, we are going to end up with a better deal.

Regards,
Rubina

One fact I forgot to mention earlier is that since you mentioned the word "degree", functional passion can be gauged only by working and not in academics (not for everybody). As far as I know, there is not a single career coach or career transition expert in India, and even abroad, career transition is not the easiest of things. One has to get a degree (be practical), but one should strive to be in the right profession at an early age (preferably before getting married). Changing careers becomes difficult with age, and by midlife, you can get completely drained out if in the wrong career. See vocational coach on my blog - Make your passion your profession (Work prisoners and students).

In my opinion, starting your degree from a premier institute plays a very important role. However, once you are in a job and have proven yourself with your performance and skills, no one can take your place. You will be the winner regardless of the institute you graduated from.

Trust, a degree will help you get into the organization, and the desire/passion will help you stay there and grow high!!!

Regards,
PARINITA

I believe that passion for work is much more important than a degree from a premier institution. We can take the example of Bill Gates (Harvard College dropout) and late Dhirubhai Ambani. The dignity of labor is more important. Work is worship.

Find your passion first and then acquire the skills/degrees required to convert your passion into a revenue-generating model.

Sangeeta

Hi Anshul!

The two are firstly not comparable because they achieve different objectives. However, if I am forced to choose one, I would choose passion because a degree, which is equivalent to knowledge, can be obtained at any point in time; passion cannot. Rather, we should encourage passionate high performers to obtain degrees from premier institutes.

Sunita

In a performance-driven organization, a degree is a passport to enter; after that, it is your performance. In order to perform well, a person needs to have both talent (skills & knowledge) and passion (strong interest). Talent without passion will not make you stand out from the crowd, whereas passion without talent is a dream unfulfilled.

Hi Anjana,

I totally agree with your opinion that nowadays financial background really matters in all ways. In our country, it really matters because there are a lot of children who, in spite of being intelligent and down-to-earth and wanting to learn and study, don't have the opportunity to get an education.

For example, a brilliant child cannot get admission to a good college, school, or institute simply because of his/her financial status. They cannot afford the hefty fee amount.

But I really feel good about all this. How can we change such a scenario in our society? What should be done to tackle such a problem?

If I am not wrong, there are some steps taken by the government and institutions in this connection, like scholarship programs, etc. But is it sufficient?

Regards,
Anjana

Hello Anshul,

I recently interviewed a few freshers for a very "interesting Profile" related to Project Management. I was surprised to see that a couple of them graduated from the best colleges in the whole of India (known worldwide too - PSG Tech) and also completed their 10th and 12th grade from good schools in the city (Stanes) but were not fit for the position because they lacked the drive required to pursue a career. (Only a few candidates, not everyone from PSG/Stanes)

On the other hand, I met a very motivated fresher, down-to-earth, with the ability to learn and adapt to a new environment, having a career objective (The Grads from the good institute came up with "Ma'am, I have no objective...") but not from the oh-so-good institutes. He was the final selection, and yes, we will be hiring him!

I would not say that the institutes should not be considered. Of course, a person with passion and drive would be able to decide and plan his courses from the best institutes. However, in our current scenario, money matters a lot. Someone with a strong financial background has a good chance of making it to good institutes, whereas a few others lack the basic good training because they were not able to start off with good schools/colleges.

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