University Degrees are overated

As I was going to Nairobi town this week using Thika Road, I came across a long queue of cars heading into Kenyatta University. This resurfaced a few nostalgic memories, the celebrations. The fun times to invite family and friends, pop some champagne, and dance away the cold weather. However, there was a myriad of other disappointing thoughts. It reminded me that 7 years after my graduation I never landed a job where I could apply my studies, although I was employed then. I landed my recent job 8 months after taking up a FREE course on YouTube and it is incomparably better than my previous job. Are we deluded in our beliefs about the value of a University Degree? 

There were 1.3 Million Jobs created in 2023 in Kenya according to the Economic Survey. Assuming this caters to fresh graduates, who were significantly more, it is extremely low. The current unemployment rate for the labor force with advanced education in Kenya is 8.6%. This is fairly low in comparison to our neighboring countries

1. Sudan - 22%

2. Rwanda - 14%

3. Uganda - 10% 

I can attribute this to the rise of entry-level massive online open courses (MOOC). These are short courses meant to empower you with relevant skills for entry-level jobs. Enrolment into them only requires a computer and internet access. Obtaining the certification will however cost you a small amount. Anyone can do these courses, though the majority of the finishers of the courses are already holders of bachelor's degrees. Also, an average of 11% of the takers of the course engage actively with its content. 

Below is a list of some recommended courses you can think of:

1. Introduction to Computer Science - edX

2. Introduction to Programming with Python - edX

3. Data Analysis Bootcamp - Youtube

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Here is an abridged version of the above article 😉