Do Experienced Professionals Without Degrees Get the Recognition They Deserve in Corporate India?

Hi, A difficult question, but many people keep asking this. I know individuals who are college dropouts by choice or due to circumstances. They have years of experience, in some cases, 20+ years of domain expertise in HR, Accounting, Finance, Construction, Marketing, etc. But they do not have a bachelor's degree. They have learned a lot during their struggles and are exceptionally good at what they do. Many newcomers with little experience admire them too. Now, the real question is what value do such non-degree holders have in corporate India today? Are they considered valuable assets because of their rich experience, or are they just overlooked because they lack a bachelor's degree? Please comment.

Many Thanks,
AMJAD LALA

The Value of Experience vs. Certification

Well, firstly, it's a wonderful question. Secondly, experience does matter, but up to a certain level. At one point, one has to have it in writing. For example, a person may have 10 years of experience in HRM or any other field, but if they don't have a certification stating the same, they won't be entertained the same as someone who holds the certification. So, the bottom line is, no doubt those people are kind of assets; however, holding a degree does matter.

Regards,
Firoz Mogal.

I want to share one example to clarify my view. One of the LTD groups in Pune, whose GM HR has over 25 years of experience in HR and Admin. I worked there for only 20 days and had a very unpleasant experience. They lack HR policies and do not adhere to basic values and ethics. The GM HR seems unable to understand the appropriate profile for an HR person. For example, he combined a sales profile with an HR profile. After my departure, he assigned the HR responsibilities to a salesperson. There is a lack of clarity regarding job profiles, leading to anyone performing any type of work. Consequently, individuals may gain experience in various fields, but they will not grasp the fundamentals of their role. This situation hinders them from working as professionally trained individuals. Seniors, please correct me if I am mistaken.

Comparing Mason and Engineer: Experience vs. Qualification

A mason has more construction knowledge than an engineer. Can we treat the mason on par with the engineer? Qualification is foremost, coupled with experience.

Regards,
Pon

Frankly, I am not sure if your question can be termed as a 'difficult' one, but it definitely is a very interesting and apt one. The responses of Firoz Mogal, Satish Parimal, and Pon basically point out one basic/fundamental aspect.

Let's take the example that Pon mentioned—of a Mason. The Mason knows that when he has to construct a house in a particular fashion/way, he has to FOLLOW CERTAIN STEPS—by virtue of his long experience in which he has observed others do it THAT WAY. But he wouldn't and can't know WHY he has to build the house THAT WAY and not any other way, if at all—meaning the 'Knowledge' aspect would be missing from his work [by 'knowledge', what I mean in such situations/context is the 'conceptual knowledge' and NOT the knowledge gained by observation/practice]. If there is a slight variation in the house plan/elevation, he would be confused or unable to handle the task—UNLESS HE HAS SEEN IT BEING DONE EARLIER.

Education and Conceptual Knowledge

EDUCATION IS WHAT GIVES THE "CONCEPTUAL KNOWLEDGE/DEPTH" TO THE INDIVIDUAL [assuming he/she has genuinely learned during the education process]. This gives the individual the knowledge of "WHY" of whatever he/she is doing. Once that knowledge is known, he/she automatically gets the ABILITY to handle variations of any situation that the profession brings along the way.

The same applies to virtually every and any field. Another typical and notable example would be that of a Doctor and his unqualified Assistant.

Hope I have brought clarity to your query and haven't confused things :-)

Regards, TS

Imagine a college dropout wanting to learn accounting and taking private tuition, then joining a company as an accounts assistant. After a few years, he excels in his job as an accountant and gets promoted to accountant or senior accountant. Despite lacking a bachelor's degree in accounting, he possesses a strong knowledge of accounts and experience working in a real-time environment. What is your opinion on this scenario? He is not a Mason. The internet has made learning much easier, with training institutes flourishing everywhere. An average smart person with little computer knowledge can learn a lot by taking short courses. I hope you agree with this.

Mason's Story and Professional Success

Mason's story does not apply to all professionals. Personally, I know many IT professionals who outperform individuals with an MCA degree. I have encountered exceptionally skilled web developers and programmers who have independently completed numerous significant e-commerce websites without being graduates. Similarly, I know designers without formal degrees who possess more knowledge and are significantly better designers compared to those with formal qualifications.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions or need further clarification.

Regards

I think you have missed the point. Please reread what I mentioned in my earlier response: "assuming he/she has genuinely learned during the education process." It's not about which degree one has obtained, but rather what one has learned in the education process—the degree is only consequential. So, in effect, the focus is, and has to be, invariably on the knowledge base acquired and not on what degree or how (through a regular college or part-time or correspondence course) it was acquired.

To elaborate, if everyone with a B.Com degree (taking your example) is expected to be at the same level of knowledge base, why do two persons with the same degree draw different salaries, or are able to handle different responsibilities, or have varying levels of efficiency? I am sure you have noticed such situations. Looking at this from a different perspective, a person who passed BCom with Distinction could be inferior in handling real-time accounting than a person who passed with, let's say, 50%—it simply means the former just 'studied' and acquired a BCom degree, while the latter didn't just study—they 'learned' the subject during the education process.

The same principle applies to any profession, including the Mason/Supervisor, etc. I hope this makes things clearer.

Regards,
TS

Dear TS, You have a point there, and I don't disagree. My question is about individuals with knowledge and experience but no degree. If you were to hire an accountant and had two candidates—one with a degree and two years of experience, and the other with no degree but ten years of experience—whom would you hire?

In India, we see thousands of people without degrees who excel in their fields. I would like to know if you or corporate India consider such candidates valuable. I know a few individuals whose applications were rejected simply because they lack a bachelor's degree, despite having extensive knowledge and experience and being exceptionally good at what they do.

Do you think practical experience should outweigh formal education in certain cases?

Thank you.

To answer your query, here is my response. My reference point for hiring will not be the qualifications—or the lack of them—of the candidates. The reference point I would apply—in general—will be the demands of the job under consideration.

To take the same example which you used—Accounts/Accountant: if the job involves activity that is routine and stable with not much variation in either the role or the intricacies of the job (for example, entering the accounts using some software, preparing the balance sheets, etc.), I would unhesitatingly assign qualifications a second priority. If a lesser qualified person can handle the contents of the job at hand, why hire a higher qualified person for it—in the process expending higher CTC? But if the job demands a lot of thinking across—let's say—currencies, time-zones, domains, etc.—then I would prefer a suitably qualified person.

So it all depends on the context/situation that ought to decide the weightage/priority we assign to each of the deciding parameters. Because, at the end of the day, it's the WHAT, WHY, HOW, and WHEN the job was done—not 'WHO' did it.

Hope you get the point.

Regards, TS

Interesting insight into this topic. I'd like to add a twist to this question: does a degree of any kind matter today if it was obtained 12-15 years ago? To expand on my question further, if I had, let's say, an HR professional who is excellent in their chosen field with proven varied experience and knowledge but no Bachelor's degree, would you hire them? Or would you hire a person with a degree, having the same or less experience profile, but whom you feel does not somehow fit the company's profile/culture?

Knowing the speed at which knowledge and sharing within professional groups take place, is a degree earned 10-15 years ago redundant in today's age? I would like to hear your views on this.

Regards,

Steve, you have a point there. I am a businessman and have a very practical mindset and approach to business. All my hirings are based on experience and skills. I am not concerned about Bachelor's or Master's degrees. I have worked with people who have tons of knowledge and experience but no degree. In some cases, MBAs and MCAs with little experience used to beg for an opportunity to get trained under their supervision/leadership.

As I mentioned earlier, for someone who really wants to learn something, they will definitely find ways to acquire knowledge, and the internet and training courses provide that platform to get started. The more they dig in, the more hands-on experience they get. The culture and trend are changing in many groups and MNCs across the globe. Applicants with no degree are being considered.

I do not have much idea about India and Indian HR practices as I have been living in Saudi for the past 21 years. Experience counts here too. One example is my staff (designers); a couple of them do not have bachelor's degrees, but they are champions in their domain. I did not see their certificates, but during the interview, I looked at their work which impressed me a lot, and I brought them on board.

The Importance of Experience and Qualification

Experience matters. Qualification also matters. Companies prefer to have a person who is well-qualified and well-experienced.

The Role of Qualifications

What is most important is to have a qualification related to your profile. My personal observation is that your qualification (whether degree or diploma) is only a gate pass to enter into an organization. After entering an organization, it is the work experience and exposure that really count!

Thanks, regards
R K Nair

If you are just starting out in your career, then having a degree is obviously more valuable than not having any at all. Experience gives you value over a period of time. Just having a degree is not enough. One needs to have a good percentage to have an edge over other candidates in the industry. Similarly, having x years of experience is not enough; one has to have a measured and proven track record. Also, in either case, one needs to express to impress. Having a fancy degree or having 10 years in a fancy position will seem to be useless if you cannot express your knowledge and experience.

In conclusion, "a degree will help earn you a living, but experience will help earn you your fortune."

Regards,
Avinash Tavares
Trainer & Life Coach
<i>Link removed</i> (Search On Cite | Search On Google)

Your comments seem to corroborate what I mentioned in my last posting: "Reference Point I would apply—in general—will be the DEMANDS OF THE JOB" and "at the end of the day, it's the WHAT, WHY, HOW & WHEN the job was done—not 'WHO' did it."

By and large, it's the 'Balance' between the relevant knowledge (brought about by education—leading to Degrees) and experience which is what finally matters—at least has to matter. When one factor is less—let's say, knowledge—what will matter to that person and to the organization is if the overall balance is achieved by a larger dose of the other factor—experience—to compensate for the lack of the former... and vice versa.

The designers you hired obviously fall into this category—no/less education (which could have led to knowledge) compensated by a large experience (which obviously led to knowledge)—with your focus being on their 'knowledge' that you felt the job needed.

Coming to Steve Brass's query, I suggest you just replace the word 'degree' with 'knowledge'—you will have the answer. Unfortunately, in today's world, 'education/degree' has become synonymous with 'knowledge'—which it's not—else, Amjadlala wouldn't have started this thread.

Just like in every phase of life, any extreme idea/position about this issue would only lead to lop-sided and ill-conceived decisions being taken—which in the long run would invariably be counter-productive and detrimental (to both the individual and the organization). I have seen it happen on quite a few occasions.

Regards,
TS

The Importance of Certified Qualifications in Recruitment

This is a very interesting discussion. It is assumed that if any candidate has a particular degree, he/she has gained knowledge in that specific field. Therefore, when recruiting any candidate, having the certified qualification is preferred.

Many corporations, in order to maintain their standards in the market, seek to hire highly qualified candidates. This allows them to demonstrate in the market that they have a qualified staff. In such cases, it becomes difficult for a candidate with good and in-depth knowledge and experience but lacking a certified degree to secure a job.

Thank you.

A degree, in many cases, is just a piece of paper. A lot of students these days depend on "model papers," "guess papers," and "cheating." Only a few hardworking students gain depth of knowledge because they are dedicated and truly work hard to earn that certificate. In the past 5 years, I have interviewed a number of MBAs who were worth nothing. I assessed them based on the poor knowledge and skills they exhibited. Despite claiming to have worked with some reputed names in India, it was very shocking to me. This experience changed my view towards hiring talent, and since then, I have started hiring people based on experience, knowledge, and skills. A degree does not necessarily equate to knowledge, for sure! There are numerous ways to achieve the minimum passing marks to obtain that certificate. Knowledge comes the hard way through hard work and efforts.

I am sure many of us might have experienced this when interviewing candidates. What is the ratio of truly knowledgeable candidates versus those who are fit for nothing degree holders?

I completely agree with you and a few other gentlemen that a degree may get you the entry ticket, but remember, that ticket is for a short show.

Personally, I do not agree with hiring based solely on a degree. I prefer to give equal opportunities to non-degree holders. At the end of the day, what matters to me as a businessman is productivity and quality. None of my clients ask for my staff's qualifications. They gauge the quality of the work we submit. What they want and what we deliver is what truly matters.

Regards

It does not matter what degree qualification you have. If you have in-depth knowledge about any field, then it's okay, and that really counts. It means that exposure (hands-on) experience plays a vital role.

Warm Regards,
Pramod Mishra

I find myself truly confused between a degree and experience. I can confidently say that, in India, nothing seems to matter except your regional background, such as being a Kannadiga, Telugu, Tamilian, or Malayali. If anyone dares to deny this, I have my own example to share.

Experience Over Education

If I need to appoint anyone, I will consider only their experience. I won't consider their educational degree at all. I have seen many MBAs who are only bookworms and can't perform independently. An employee, if experienced, will add more value to the business with their practical knowledge.

Regards

Hello everybody, AMJAD LALA's question is really interesting, but I'm sorry I'm not getting a proper answer. All the HR professionals, kindly help with a little more input.

Thanks

There are no dumb people; a degree is important, but what is most important is to have a plan. Run your life the same as you would run a company or a business. Failure is NOT an option; everybody can succeed, be positive. Communicate face to face, do not rely on others to give you a job, but look for opportunities through connections (not websites). People you know and have met in school, college, sports, etc. I run programs in several countries, this to give people a practical insight into Business, not theory. Good luck, you will find a way, most people do.

Both are necessary. You can't do without either of them.

If you want to work long-term in the same company that offers good growth opportunities, you might not need to worry about obtaining a degree, especially if you already have a job where you can excel.

On the other hand, if you are looking for new job opportunities, a degree is important.

It is very important for members who have experience without the required qualifications to upgrade themselves with recent developments and acquire the necessary skills through part-time learning. Many organizations take initiatives through training sessions and sponsorships. They ensure that employees are well-groomed to face challenges.

Please remember, learning is a never-ending process.

Regards,
Mohan.

Degree or Experience? What Matters? What Counts

A really nice question, and the answer is "the passion and patience." If a person who does not have any degree but possesses patience and passion stays on through the ups and downs in the same organization, and when they desire to be in a management team, and the company deserves such candidates, it is just a matter of experience. I have examples where a Diploma holder, with their dedication, extraordinary desire, and hard work, reached the position of Vice President. There are a few more stories where an ordinary draftsman, with experience and loyalty to the company, was designated as a Design Engineer. The point of the matter is not the degree but experience with passion and patience.

However, the other side is just a degree. I had visited a High Performing Organization where all operations were carried out by engineers. The culture lasted only for 5 years because the engineers thought they were merely being used as machines.

So... we cannot definitively endorse degree or experience but a blend of both.

The Value of Experience vs. Degree

Experience and a degree have the same importance and value. If a person has only a degree, then they have to start from the beginning, i.e., they have to learn a lot about how the organization functions. On the contrary, if a person has experience, they are very well accustomed to the functioning of the organization. They don't have to be trained. If a person has experience, they have practical qualifications rather than bookish qualifications that count more and make them more knowledgeable compared to a bachelor's degree.

At the end, experience and qualification are both equally important. Experience of 3 years after 10+2 is equally important as a bachelor's degree. However, it is important that you continue your education while working as it gives you immense and extra advantages when entering the corporate world.

I have started working after my second year. I had completed my graduation and attended classes on Saturdays and Sundays.

Currently, I am pursuing my second year of master's and have 3 years of experience.

Thanks,

Lovely.

The Role of Experience and Degrees in Professional Success

An experienced nurse can't become a doctor. Even though one is experienced, one is required to have a degree related to that field. Some fields are exceptional. They are:

1.  **Music:** Most renowned musicians are not degree holders, but they have become world-famous.
2.  **Art:** Many cine and drama actors are degree holders. Further, some actors are illiterate, but due to their experience and skill, they have achieved the pinnacle in their life.
3.  **Goldsmiths and Jewelry Business:** Such business people don't have even school education. However, they succeed in their business.

Hence, experience alone or a degree alone can't help in some fields. A degree with experience will make a person perfect in all dimensions of their professional career.

Regards,
Chandrasekaran, Madurai. 12 Aug 2011

Dear Mr. Amzad, this question is very interesting as well as very valuable for those who do not have any certificate, diploma, or management degree, yet they possess sound knowledge along with rich experience (10 to 15 years) in their respective departments such as HRM, Finance, or Accounts.

The Value of Experience vs. Degrees

In my opinion, a person with an MBA degree or diploma in a specific field but with little or no experience does not possess the practical knowledge or experience in handling pressure or critical situations in emergencies. The practical experience of an individual should not be compared with that of a person with rich experience. Experienced individuals have a combination of practical and theoretical knowledge, where their degree or diploma should not be considered an advantage over the experienced individual. While books are primarily based on theoretical knowledge, they may include some examples of practical experience. However, it is insufficient to compare a person with only 1-2 years of experience alongside an experienced individual. Recruiters should be cautious as a degree holder may not always be the best candidate; experience holds significant value.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Experience

In conclusion, experience should not be undervalued compared to a degree holder. Candidates with rich experience in their respective fields should be prioritized. In the past, it was not mandatory for those who began their careers 10-20 years ago to have a degree. Nowadays, professionalism is crucial, and there is a trend where individuals obtain degrees to compete in the job market, leading recruiters to carefully evaluate whether to prioritize "experience" or only "degree/diploma" holders.

Thank you,

Charanjeet Singh

Dear Amjad Lala,

Your question is very relevant in the changed scenario of globalization. Actually, people should have the learning aptitude rather than acquiring certificates. However, acquiring qualifications surely adds to the updating of knowledge. Attitude and interest are the basic skills required by employees. I think your question is merely psychological.

Present-day Recruitment Practices

Present-day Recruitment Managers should give more importance to the interest and aptitude of the candidate during the selection process. In my experience, a friend of mine who held the 2nd rank in MTech (IT) from Kharagpur IIT did not have the actual aptitude in the IT field. He once mentioned my aptitude in the IT area, even though I did not have any technical qualification for working in the IT field. Eventually, he left the organization due to his mental conflict. When I joined the Central Public Sector organization, I only had a graduation degree. Afterwards, I acquired an MBA (HR), MHRM, MSC (Psy), and I am currently pursuing MPhil (Mgt). After acquiring all these qualifications, my thinking pattern changed completely. Simply measuring people based on their qualifications is not ideal. If an organization can tap into and utilize the potential of its people for organizational effectiveness, it will add value to the organization. I believe modern organizations, including IT/ITES industries, are succeeding in this mission and are becoming sunrise industries. Hence, people should be assessed based on their knowledge, creativity, innovative thinking, aptitude, attitude, research mindset, etc., in a psychological manner. This is the main reason for the failure of today's Government of India Public Sector, based on my experience with my current employer.

The Importance of Knowledge and Capabilities

Comparing people based solely on qualifications is not favorable. Instead, each individual in an organization should be directed to acquire knowledge and capabilities to transform the organization into a learning organization. Recruitment should be based on aptitude and interest in the job. Through psychometric assessments, HR Managers can reveal the potential of candidates.

Another point to consider is that we are enjoying many benefits today due to the dedicated inventions of people like Marie Curie, who even dedicated her life to invention. If we look back at history, these individuals did not even have certificates.

Many inventions are also happening in the agricultural field, with mere farmers innovating based on their past experiences. They may not even be able to acquire patents for their inventions. Should we underestimate these people based on their qualifications? Apologies for taking up your valuable time.

Best regards,

Asok Kumar.R

Dear all,

This is an interesting discussion, and I would like to put forward the following views:

1. Many management gurus have evolved from experience, which is an ever-changing aspect.

2. If you consider a dynamic organization, or any organization dealing with HR issues, they are always dynamic. In this scenario, a degree limits itself to the application of acquired knowledge, whereas experience takes it one step beyond by adapting to requirements. Everyone would agree that the end product of this management is the organizational objective.

3. Every organization is unique in its own way of operation and management. How could there be a common parlance in management? The basics may still be workable, gained through knowledge by a degree. However, if one has to adapt or develop in an ever-changing scenario, it's the experience that counts. Only experience can give an upper hand in handling various scenarios and meeting challenges.

For the purpose of discussion, I have limited the scope to experience vs. knowledge. However, considerations like personal, attitudinal, and behavioral traits do not form a part of this discussion.

Regards

The Role of Degree and Experience in HR

The degree and experience are the two eyes of HR in the present situation. The most important point, as per the psychological concept, is that the environment and experience mold the personality of every professional. Concerning HR, experience is the most important advantage for effectively managing human resources.

Most degree and postgraduate degree holders lack fundamental knowledge of HR. I am not criticizing the candidates; if you provide two years of experience, it will greatly enhance their knowledge of HR.

Furthermore, the Indian educational system is not perfect for meeting current corporate expectations.

In conclusion, professional qualifications and experience are the most important qualities for present HR management.

With Regards,

Nice thread and very good responses here on the topic. I would like to point out that when considering candidates, whether they possess a degree or experience, we should prioritize individuals with the necessary skills for the specific role. It's essential that they have knowledge and can deliver positive outcomes through their efforts. Additionally, the ability to perform well under pressure is crucial. Nowadays, in this digital age, a degree holds less significance compared to one's ability to showcase their talents online and establish a strong reputation.

The Importance of Qualification and Experience in the Corporate World

Today, in the challenging corporate world, there is a need for both qualification and experience. Qualification provides the knowledge of concepts, strategic thinking, and innovative ways to make better decisions every time to handle opportunities better. Experience, on the other hand, provides practical ideas and processes to navigate the work.

If a person has experience but lacks qualification, they may have fewer innovative ideas to work according to policy. However, effective management is impossible without qualification and knowledge. Satish and Pon have rightly pointed out that qualification provides an additional advantage (clarity) to work and handle situations effectively.

Thanks and Best Regards,

Vikas Ranjan

Experience vs. Degrees in Today's Job Market

Today, we are learning something because of someone's experience. There have been members of this forum who are very successful and great trainers, who proudly declared, "I train by experience, not by books." We are seeing today that great degree holders are sitting and waiting for an opening, whereas experienced, lesser-educated, and dedicated persons are getting great opportunities. What kind of degrees did dear Dhirubhai Ambani or even Birla and Tata's founding managers have? It all depends on the employer and what they want. In today’s scenario, a degree seems to be an entry pass; later, experience matters.

Regards and best wishes.

Aspirations

The Value of Education and Experience in the Workplace

In my opinion, a combination of education and experience brings innovation to many aspects of work that experience alone cannot achieve. Those with only experience often follow a regular path. Therefore, a combination of qualifications and experience is highly valued in the current market scenario.

Regards,

Well said, I like your mason example. For some reasons, they might not have been able to take up their degree. It should be noted that experienced people's contributions should be valued and recognized, and there is so much to learn from them.

Very interesting discussion. I would like to add something to the conversation. Five or more years of experience mean not just experience or practical knowledge. It is the result of his or her passion towards the work that helped to sustain in the same field. So, it shows he has accrued knowledge throughout those periods. His career path is very important over this period. If he has been in the same position for 5 years, it means his knowledge updating is poor. Whereas if he has climbed the career ladder, it shows his passion towards what he does.

For a beginner, a degree is helpful to enter the organization. Something is better than nothing.

Regards,
Jenzi

Dear All, I was going through many of your experts' discussions about the conflict between experience and qualifications. I have a very lively example: one of my cousins, who holds a Bachelor of Arts (Specializing in History) degree, is currently working as a project manager in a private limited company that manufactures PLCs widely used for automation. He is very successful in his career. There cannot be any hard and fast rule to address this issue. The following could be some of the criteria that should be considered during such conflicts:

Criteria to Consider in Experience vs. Qualification Conflicts

01. Job nature of the vacancy

02. Age group of other subordinates in the available vacancies

03. Job profile requirements such as years of experience, age group, etc.

04. Other necessary skills like communication, problem-solving, analytical skills, etc.

In most companies, top management is often not interested in these types of issues as they prioritize results. However, these issues should be handled carefully by HR professionals, as they are responsible for ensuring that the company's environment is not disrupted by such recruitments.

Moreover, many times we cannot accurately assess one's performance until we have placed the person in the job.

Regards, Dinesh Shitole, Pune

The Value of Experience Over Degrees

Theoretical knowledge might help to an extent. However, a degree is not what a person should be judged by. Relevant experience and knowledge MUST reign supreme. For example, Bill Gates - a college dropout. Prafulla Chandra Roy - no formal degree; however, amazing knowledge of Chemistry (acquired from his father's library) and started Bengal Chemicals... and many more.

Regards

The Value of Experience vs. Formal Education

Theoretical knowledge might help to an extent. However, a degree is not what a person should be judged by. Relevant experience and knowledge MUST reign supreme. For example, Bill Gates was a college dropout, and Prafulla Chandra Roy had no formal degree; however, he had amazing knowledge of Chemistry acquired from his father's library and started Bengal Chemicals, among many others.

I disagree with your statement. There may be a few exceptions in all spheres. It is the individual's effort to reach such a level. By and large, if you analyze successful people, they are qualified. Basic knowledge coupled with relevant experience takes them on a successful path. Why would we need such a vast network of educational institutions if only experience is supreme?

Regards,
Pon

I am with Pon regarding your statement/opinion. Also, I think you haven't read through the initial comments/remarks in this thread—where the focus has been differentiated between 'degree' and 'knowledge'. If one generalizes based on exceptions, then I am afraid we only end up with a lopsided view, and consequently lopsided decisions—whether in careers or organizations.

We can take many similar examples of exceptional individuals—closer home, Dhirubhai Ambani being the most notable and further equivalent to Bill Gates being Steve Jobs who expired today. I suggest you to re-read ALL the initial responses in this thread—it would clarify your queries to a large extent.

Regards,
TS

Hi Friends, the topic is open for discussion. In my view, a degree matters when considering our Indian context. There are many people in universities without much experience. However, I can say that experience can be gained at any point in time, but degrees are not like hot cakes to buy from the market.