In this modern era job market, functional skills are valued over academic knowledge. It is predicted that in the later time employers will seek merely the experience rather than any official degrees.
I do agree with the statement particularly as to careers which are related to art and creativity. For instance, when a tech company needs a new employee in its design department between a person with a significant portfolio plus several years experience and one with only a MA or MD degree from a prestigious university surely, the one with experience has far more chance to fill the job vacancy than the person with just an academic degree. Hence the importance of skills and experience. Furthermore, technology have made it much easier to get any kind of knowledge or skills without having to go to any educational centers. To exemplify, individuals can learn skills such as doodling, photoshop or mathematics either via the internet on a YouTube channel or by buying an educational package. Thus, attending to or university so that you get an official degree is by no means the primary criteria to get a job in the future.
Despite those of mentioned a above, there are still some fields that academic education is critical and people will not be able to work unless they earn the necessary knowledge. Being a psychologist or a surgeon for instance, is impossible without having a license and in my opinion, the necessity of proper degree in some specific area such as science will not change even in the future.
By way of conclusion, I contend that even though the importance of practical skills outweighs the academic degree to find a job, there are many careers yet, knowledge plays the crucial role.
